Why Melting Snow on Your Roof Might Be a Warning Sign for Your Home
While we all love a "white winter" here in New England, the way snow sits on your roof can tell you a lot about what’s happening inside your house.
If you look at your roof after a storm and see patches of shingles or water dripping off the eaves while your neighbor’s roof is still blanketed in white, it’s not just "the way the sun hits it." It is often a red flag that your home is leaking heat, losing money, and potentially at risk for structural damage.
The Science of the “Hot Roof”
Ideally, your roof should stay the same temperature as the outdoor air. When your home is properly insulated and air-sealed, the heat stays in your living spaces where it belongs.
However, in many older homes, warm air escapes through "bypasses"—tiny gaps around recessed lights, plumbing stacks, or attic hatches. This rising heat warms up the underside of your roof deck. When the roof gets warm enough to melt the bottom layer of snow, that water runs down toward the gutters.
The Danger: Ice Dams
The trouble starts when that meltwater reaches the edge of your roof (the eaves), which is colder because it overhangs the house and isn't warmed by interior heat. The water refreezes, creating a ridge of ice.
As more snow melts, the water gets trapped behind that ridge, creating a pool. This is an ice dam. Eventually, that water finds its way under your shingles, through the roof deck, and into your insulation, ceilings, and walls. By the time you see a water stain on your bedroom ceiling, the damage is already well underway.
Insulation Alone Isn’t the Answer
A common mistake homeowners make is just throwing more fiberglass batts into the attic. But insulation works like a wool sweater; it keeps you warm, but it doesn’t stop the wind from blowing through.
To truly prevent ice dams and lower your energy bills, you need air sealing. This involves identifying and sealing those hidden gaps where heat escapes. Combined with high-quality insulation, air sealing creates a "thermal envelope" that keeps your roof cool and your toes warm.
How Baystate Energy Reduction Can Help (and Save You 75%)
We specialize in "whole-home" weatherization. We don’t just look at the symptoms; we fix the source of the problem.
The best part? If you are a Massachusetts or Rhode Island resident, you don’t have to shoulder the cost alone. We work closely with programs like Mass Save® and RISE Engineering to make these upgrades incredibly affordable.
When you choose to work with Baystate Energy Reduction for your insulation and air sealing project, we can help you secure up to 75% (or more, depending on eligibility) off the total project cost.
Take Action Before the Next Big Melt
Don’t wait for the icicles to start forming or for your energy bills to skyrocket. If you’ve noticed snow melting unevenly on your roof, it’s time for a professional evaluation.
Contact us today to schedule a FREE home energy assessment and see how much you can save through local energy programs. Let’s keep the heat where it belongs—inside your home!