Winter Advisory To Gutter Helmet Owners

In winter, it is not unusual to see a few
icicles hanging from the “nose” of your
Gutter Helmet. Your Gutter Helmet
will not be harmed by and is not the
cause of icicle formation. The icicles
are caused by the sun melting snow
on the roof. Minor icicle formation is
normal and indicates Gutter Helmet
is doing its job – keeping ice and snow
out of the gutters.
However, if there is significant icicle
formation or ice build up on top of
your Gutter Helmet, this signals a
more serious problem – that of
significant heat loss from the living
quarters into the attic.
R-60 or 17” of insulation in Michigan
attics). It is just as important that your
attic be able to “breathe”. When
ventilation is inadequate – heat and
moisture are trapped in the attic
causing melting and mold. Lack of
ventilation and heat build up are the
#1 reason for premature roof failure
and need for replacement – not
but when things warm up – look out! Michigan weather!
Melted water forms behind the ice
dam and is trapped. The melted water Sometimes, adding insulation and
can work its way under the shingles ventilation is not enough. Homes
and drop into the attic – ruining your designed with cathedral or vaulted
ceilings make it impossible to add
insulation, your drywall and paint.
insulation or ventilation. Factors such
as extra wide eaves, prevailing winds
Hopefully, you have ice and water
shield installed under the shingles at and the direction the house faces can
have an impact that cannot be
the eave (which is now code) and
overcome and homeowners have had
this will not happen to you. But if
you have ice dams and no shield – no choice – but to live with the
you are a prime candidate for water problems associated with icicles and
ice dams.
penetration into the attic and the
damage, headaches and expense
Another Solution: 2nd Defense
that follow.
Adding Heated Helmet™
Atlas now offers Heated Helmet™
– a unique solution to ice problems
caused by these difficult or impossible
to solve situations. Heated Helmet is
an advanced self-regulating heating
cable system that is designed to be
installed with Gutter Helmet. It is
unique in the industry.
Basically, you are wasting energy
dollars to heat the roof which causes
snow to melt and roll down to the
eaves becoming icicles and – ice dams.
Remember that it should be the same
temperature in the attic – as it is
outside. This concept has not been
well understood in the building
industry – until recently – and is the Solving the Problem: 1st Defense
reason why so many homes are
Adding Insulation / Ventilation
inadequately ventilated and insulated! Adding insulation to your home’s
attic is the least expensive and best
The Problem with Ice Dams - way to reduce or eliminate dangerous
As long as its freezing outside you will ice dams from forming at your eaves.
not have a problem with the ice dam (The Department of Energy requires
Your Next Step...
If you are experiencing any of the
conditions described above –
significant ice dam or icicle formation
at your eaves – with or without
Gutter Helmet or even gutters – we
suggest you have one of our experts
inspect and evaluate your home.
It may well be that your home needs
more insulation, ventilation or
Heated Helmet! There is no cost or
obligation for this inspection.
The Heated Helmet system will
warm the Gutter Helmet panels,
gutters and downspouts and will
substantially eliminate icicle and
ice formation. The Heated Helmet
is GFCI protected and can be
installed at any time.
&
A Michigan Family Owned
Business Since 1989
www.AtlasHomeImprovement.com