What Snow on the Roof Can Tell You About a Home’s Insulation

Snowstorms can be beautiful. Some are a nuisance. But here’s a way to consider some snowstorms as a friend with a message for you.

In the few days following a snowfall, when you are out for a walk, look along the road at the roofs of your home and your neighbors’ homes. Some will still be covered with snow, some will have lost it all, while some will look kind of patchy. A keen observer will notice that the patterns are pretty consistent time after time.

The patterns relate to attic insulation. If your attic has little or no insulation, the snow will disappear quickly. If your attic insulation needs a fix, the pattern will be patchy. If your attic insulation is good, the snow will stay on for a long while (and actually will add insulation to the roof, since snow is an insulator).

The best snowstorm for these observations will be one that drops about 1 inch, without wind.So, you should get outside after a gentle snowstorm to examine your roof and compare it to the neighbors.If your roofing is asphalt shingles, the snow should stay for days unless the air temperature rises above 32 degrees. If it melts unevenly, make a note of where the bare roofing shows through first. That is likely to be a place where extra heat is escaping from your house into the attic. Remember, heat rises. Go inside and check the following:

• Recessed lighting fixtures that join living spaces to the attic are perhaps the worst culprits for heat loss.
• A leaky seal to the attic entry hatch can be sealed with foam weather stripping.
• Gaps between fiberglass insulation.
• A bathroom or other vent that empties into the attic may have caused mold to build up on the attic ceiling.
• Icicles that form along the bottom edge of the roof or eaves are another indication of insufficient attic insulation.

Your observations and efforts will pay dividends by cutting your heating costs and increasing your comfort.

At Koala Insulation of Gateway West, our team is dedicated to increasing comfort and safety for you and your household. This includes ensuring our service not only brings you cost-effective and energy-efficient installations but also materials that have been treated and tested to improve the security of your home. If you have questions or concerns about the material currently in your home, our industry experts can provide details on your current condition and how your safety and comfort can improve.