How to Leave an Attic Pull Down to Melt Snow on the Roof

Although you might think it logical to warm your attic to melt snow on the roof, having a cold roof is really what you need. Warm attics only melt snow temporarily. The melted snow runs down the roof until it hits the unheated section over the eaves and freezes. Ice builds up and the snow continues to melt and refreeze, forcing water under the shingles and creating leaks in your home. The colder your attic remains, the better chance you have of snow sliding or blowing off the roof. In cases when the weight of the snow creates problems, you may have to physically remove the snow, instead of trying to melt it.

Metal flashing
Tin snips
Caulk
R-20 rigid foam insulation
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Go up into your attic through the pull-down door before the snow starts falling. Insulate the floors between the joists if open with the proper rated insulation for your climate. Look for any areas where heat might rise from the heated portion of the house down below. Check around ventilation pipes, chimney flues or masonry chimneys, seal them off with metal flashing cut with tin snips and then caulk.
- 2
  Create a cover for the top of the pull down attic door with R-20 rigid foam insulation. Measure the opening for the attic door and cut the insulation to fit over the opening using a utility knife. Add sections of the stiff insulation to fit between the steps.
- 3
  Retreat from the attic and close the pull down attic door. If you leave the door open, the heat will rise by convection from your home and out to the roof or vents. This wastes a lot of heating energy and raises the temperature on part of your roof.
- 4
  Visually inspect your roof as the snow falls. If you see signs of snow melting, you need to increase your insulation in the attic.

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