It’s that time of year where the weather really tests our homes. In older homes a fairly routine event is the buildup of ice at the edge of the roof. If it builds up enough, there’s a strong chance that water finds its way inside and shows up on the ceiling.
The common reaction to this phenomenon is that there is something wrong with the roof or the shingles, but in all likelihood the real culprit is the ceiling itself. How can this be? When warm air from inside the home is allowed to seep into the attic it will warm up the roof deck and melt the snow. The water runs down the roof like it’s supposed to, but when it reaches the overhang it re-freezes because that part of the roof deck is cold.
Eventually, the ice will build VigRX up enough to hold the water and force it to seep back underneath the shingles. Then it drips into the insulation and eventually to the ceiling below making a big mess.
So what’s the solution? Insulation such as fiberglass does little to stop moving air, so it’s critical to also “seal the lid”. Typical areas of leakage are recessed lights, speakers, electrical boxes, plumbing stacks, etc. Sometimes these leaks are easy to find, but the sure way to find them is to have a blower door test performed.
In simple terms, this test pressurizes your home while infrared photos are taken to expose air movement around doors and windows and through the roof. It’s truly amazing how leaky most homes are. This simple test will go a long way toward determining how to make your home more energy efficient and durable.