Do Attic Fans Help With Ice Dams

There are two main purposes of attic ventilation.

Do attic fans help with ice dams.

Ventilation during the winter helps to reduce moisture as well as keeps attics dry and at an even temperature. The whole reason your attic is hot in the first place is that there are leaks or poor insulation between your attic and your living space. The fans must work in conjunction with existing ridge and soffit vents. One of the best ways to maintain the temperature is through ventilation and a solar powered attic fan.

An attic fan in winter can help prevent ice dams reduce moisture in your attic during winter months and prevent mold and mildew buildup due to moisture problems in the attic. Here are a few simple steps that can help prevent snow build up on the roof ice dams and condensation in your attic. See below for a shopp. Turn it on and allow the water to freeze again.

Although setting up fans in your attic will expel hot air they won t help you prevent ice dams. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans as well as dryer vents should never be discharged into the attic space and always discharge outside. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams. If there are ice dams sometimes one will have condensation inside on the roof sheathing generally where the problem area is are most times in the early morning it will be frozen and the fan will help keep it from thawing dripping soaking the insulation and starting the cycle all over again.

This is only a temporary fix until you can make a more permanent repair. You ll stop the leak in a matter of minutes says toh general contractor tom silva. Good attic ventilation helps keep temperatures even preventing hot and cold spots that cause damaging ice dams where water can back up and freeze beneath your shingles. All you re doing is making the heat escape faster from your cozy rooms.

Box fan as expensive as the last option this is the cheapest solution to removing ice dams. Proper attic ventilation can prevent ice dams. These fans use the power of the sun to generate energy and circulate air through the attic to prevent the temperature fluctuations that cause ice dams. For more advice from tom see how to prevent ice dams.

This targeted dose of cold air will freeze the water in its tracks. To protect against damage to your structure and to reduce energy usage. Proper attic ventilation in winter prevents mold and mildew growth safeguarding your family against these harmful contaminants. Take a box fan into the attic and aim it at the underside of the roof where water is actively leaking in.