5 Reasons Icicles Are Not A Homeowners Friend

Icicles hanging down from the roof might look like a winter wonderland, but it can be a sign of developing serious roof problems. Below are five reasons to dread seeing icicles on your home during the winter months.

Falling Icicles Are Dangerous

Your homeowner’s insurance can take a real hit if an icicle comes down and injures a visitor. Your kids and pets can also get hurt. It is best to remove them as soon as you see them form. An escape of heat causes these through your attic area, which warms the snow on the roof and creates a melt and refreezes in the typical elongated form.

Icicles Damage Shingles and Gutters

Icicles are also renowned for doing incredible amounts of damage to gutters, downspouts, and roof shingles. Allow the sun to warm them some before attempting to remove the icicles. Doing this while it is below freezing outside can mean seeing a chunk of roofing or section of gutter come down with it. The direct sunshine will begin to melt it, and the water will drip. There is no better time to remove the worst of them carefully. Avoid banging on the roof or gutters.

Icicles Are a Sign of Ice Dams

An overabundance of wet snow can cause icicles, but they are also a sign of a developing ice dam. Inadequate insulation under the roof causes the roofing material to heat up, melting the snow or ice. This liquid will reach the edge of the roof and begin to freeze all over again. The sad thing about an ice dam is that it forces up under the roofing shingles and leads to significant water damage problems.

Melting Ice Will Infiltrate Walls

An ice dam is a disaster waiting to happen. It is only a matter of time before the water begins to run down inside the walls of your home. The moisture will set up the perfect scenario for growing black mold in behind the walls. Mold that is not visible will begin to manifest symptoms of illness in the respiratory system and sinuses.

Melting Ice Will Destroy the Roof Supports

Water that forces up under the shingles will eventually lead to the rot of the roof support system. The expense of replacing the roof can be extremely high when it involves the actual supporting wood.

Find a home renovation contractor that specializes in roofing through services like Renovation Experts today!