But once it was in, I did notice less draftiness around the stairs.
That was my experience too—those attic covers aren’t glamorous, but they do make a difference. I was skeptical at first, honestly. Didn’t love spending even a little extra, but after my heating bill dropped (not by a ton, but enough to notice), I figured it paid for itself. I’d say it’s one of those upgrades where the hassle is worth it, especially if you’re getting hit with ice dams every winter. Not a silver bullet, but it beats ignoring the problem and paying for repairs later.
I get the logic behind attic covers, but I’m not convinced they’re the main fix for ice dams. I put one in last fall—helped with drafts, sure, but I still had icicles and some minor leaks. Ended up needing to add more insulation and seal up some weird gaps around the chimney. Maybe it’s a combo of things, not just the cover? My house is older, so maybe that’s part of it...
- Totally get what you mean about attic covers not being the magic fix.
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— I’m finding out it’s a bunch of little things too.“Ended up needing to add more insulation and seal up some weird gaps around the chimney.”
- My place is from the 60s, so there’s all sorts of random air leaks. I did the cover, but still had ice dams after a cold snap.
- Guessing older houses just need more TLC?
- Kinda relieved I’m not the only one who didn’t solve it with just one upgrade.
Older homes are like that one friend who needs a little “extra” just to get out the door—always another thing. I manage a few places from the 50s and 60s, and yeah, attic covers are just the appetizer. Here’s how I usually attack ice dams, step by step (with varying degrees of success):
1. **Find the weird drafts**: Old houses love hiding gaps behind walls, around chimneys, or in knee walls. I once found a hole big enough for a raccoon behind an old built-in cabinet... no joke.
2. **Insulation party**: If it’s less than 10 inches thick up there, it’s probably not enough. Blown-in cellulose is my go-to because you can stuff it into odd corners.
3. **Seal the attic hatch**: Weatherstripping plus some rigid foam board does wonders.
4. **Ventilation**: Gotta make sure soffit and ridge vents aren’t blocked by old insulation or squirrel nests (ask me how I know).
Honestly, even with all that, sometimes you still get a stubborn dam after a wild cold snap. Just part of the charm, right? At least you’re not alone—these old houses keep us humble... and busy.
Man, I hear you on the attic covers—sometimes feels like you fix one thing and three more pop up. Have you ever tried those heat cables along the eaves? I’ve seen mixed results, but some folks swear by them for stubborn ice dams. Curious if anyone’s had luck with that or if it just runs up the electric bill...
