Ice dam prevention means keeping the roof boards cold so snow does not melt from underneath. We do it from inside the attic by sealing air leaks, adding attic insulation and keeping the eave vents open.
Barrie Attic Insulation looks at the whole attic on a free visit, finds where the heat is getting through and quotes the work to stop it.
Ice dam prevention matters in Barrie because the city sits in a snowbelt, and squalls off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay can leave a deep blanket of snow on a roof in a single night. Deep snow on a warm roof is the recipe for ice dams. Snow touching warm sheathing turns to water, slides toward the eave and freezes over the unheated overhang into a thick ridge.
Once that ridge forms, meltwater pools behind it and works its way under the shingles. That is when stains show up on the ceiling or water runs down the inside of a wall.
Heating cables, roof rakes and chipping at the ice can stop a leak for a day. They do not change why the ice formed. As long as warm air reaches the roof boards, the next big snowfall brings the ice dam back.
Ice dam prevention in the attic fixes the cause. Once the roof boards stay cold, snow sits on the roof and melts slowly from the sun instead of from below. That is real ice dam prevention.
First, we seal the ceiling, because house air escaping upward is the biggest source of heat on the roof boards. Attic air sealing closes the gaps at pot lights, top plates, plumbing stacks and the hatch.
Second, for lasting ice dam prevention we add attic insulation to full depth, paying close attention to the edges of the house where the roof is lowest.
Third, we make sure outside air can sweep the underside of the roof. Baffles go in at every eave, and the attic ventilation is checked from soffit to ridge.
When an ice dam has leaked before, the attic insulation below that spot is often damp or flattened. Damp insulation stops working well and lets mould start on the wood overhead. We check for this on the visit and remove the damaged section before new insulation goes in.
Ice dam prevention work usually combines air sealing with a top-up, and most jobs fall between $1,500 and $3,500 for a typical Barrie house. The written quote lists each part, so you can see what the sealing costs and what the attic insulation costs.
Phone (705) 243-3246 about ice dam prevention, and we will show you where the heat is escaping. The full list of attic work is on the home page.
Most attic jobs in Barrie combine two of these, such as air sealing and a top-up.
Blown-in attic insulation fills the whole attic floor with loose fibres that settle around trusses, wires and vent pipes. We blow it to a measured depth, usually R-60, and write that depth on the invoice.
Details and pricing
An attic insulation top-up blows fresh loose fill on top of whatever layer is already there. It is the quickest and least expensive way to bring an attic up to today's levels without tearing anything out.
Details and pricing
Attic insulation removal clears out worn or spoiled material, leaving bare joists ready for sealing and a fresh fill. We remove loose fill, old batts and mixed layers with a high-powered vacuum.
Details and pricing
Attic air sealing plugs the cracks and holes in a ceiling that leak heated air upward. We seal those gaps with spray foam, caulking and gaskets before any new attic insulation is blown over them.
Details and pricing
Attic ventilation lets outside air flow in low at the soffits and out high at the roof vents, so the attic stays cold and dry in winter. We check that flow and fix it as part of every insulation job.
Details and pricing
Cathedral ceiling insulation fills the space between the rafters in rooms where the ceiling follows the roof. That includes vaulted living rooms, bonus rooms over a garage and the upper floor of a story-and-a-half house.
Details and pricing
The Ontario attic insulation rebate sits inside Home Renovation Savings, which Enbridge Gas funds alongside Save on Energy. Under its attic stream, homeowners can get money back for raising an attic to R-50 or more without booking an energy audit.
Details and pricing
The attic insulation cost for most Barrie houses falls between $1,250 and $3,000. The figure for your house comes down to three things: the attic's square footage, the depth already up there and the number of air leaks to close.
Details and pricingTell us what is going on upstairs, and we will call to book a visit at a time that suits you.
A few details about the house and the problem help us plan the visit. Calls go to +1 (705) 243-3246.
