Is snow piling on your roof a good indicator of insulation?

As the winter months roll through Wisconsin, heavy snowfall is inevitable. And as all that snow comes down, it’s bound to pile up wherever it lands, including on your home’s roof.

It’s commonly believed that letting snow pile up on your roof is dangerous, and it’s true that heavy snow can damage your roof. But that doesn’t necessarily mean all rooftop snow accumulation is a bad thing. In fact, snow piling up on your roof can actually be a sign that your attic insulation is performing well. Inconsistent melting, on the other hand, could mean that your roof is under insulated. 

Attic Insulation Prevents Ice Dams 

Insulation is an often-unsung hero when it comes to home performance, but it’s one of the most important aspects of your home’s construction. Not only does proper insulation help keep your home warm during those freezing winter months, it also helps prevent serious issues, like ice dams, from occurring. 

When a home is poorly insulated, whether there isn’t enough insulation, the insulation wasn’t installed correctly, or the insulation is low quality, heat will escape. This is especially true in attics, which are notoriously underinsulated and highly susceptible to heat loss. When heat seeps out the top of your home, it warms your roof shingles, causing any snow that has landed there to melt. The snowmelt then flows toward colder areas of your roof, where it refreezes into what we call an ice dam. Ice dams block future snowmelt from making it to your gutters, so it cannot be drained away. Instead, the excess moisture will find its way underneath your roof shingles and into your attic, where it can cause: 

• Leaks 
• Mold and mildew growth 
• Rot 
• Rust 

What’s worse, the damage from ice dams isn’t usually obvious, at least not right away. Because of this, damage can go unnoticed for long periods of time, allowing it to worsen and wreak havoc on your home. When you do eventually uncover the damage, you could end up spending thousands of dollars on repairs. When snow accumulates on your roof after a storm, especially when there are several cold days in a row, it’s a good indication that heat is not escaping through your attic, meaning your insulation is doing its job. 

The Best Insulation for Your Roof 

The right attic insulation will keep your home toasty warm all winter long while also protecting against ice dams and subsequent damage. If you’ve noticed signs of poor insulation, like inconsistent snowmelt, cold spots throughout your home, or high energy bills, it’s time to call the pros at KV Tech Construction. 

We aim to provide comprehensive solutions rather than simply bandage up the symptoms of poor insulation and can perform an energy audit to pinpoint the exact locations where heat is escaping your home. Then, we can recommend solutions, such as ice dam removal, air sealing, and attic insulation installation, that will target those weak areas and have the greatest impact on your home’s energy efficiency and comfort levels.  

Whether you’re looking for roof rafter insulation, attic foam insulation, cellulose insulation, or fiberglass batt insulation, our team can recommend the right insulation materials for your needs and then install them flawlessly at your home in Ashland, Hayward, Bayfield, Iron River, Spooner, Cable, La Pointe, Washburn, or another Wisconsin community. As the Wisconsin spray foam insulation expert, we can answer any questions you have about insulation, including specific application or troubleshooting questions. 

Is your insulation keeping your home warm and safe? Find out with an energy audit from KV Tech! Call 715-227-2014 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.