All About Icicles
This month we are talking all about winter phenomenon that affect your roof. In this first edition we talk about in depth about icicles. While they may look picturesque hanging from your roof, large icicles can cause extensive damage to your home and can be signs of further things wrong in your roof structure. Icicles can even be hazards to the safety of you and your family if a large one was to fall on someone. Learn why icicles should not be a part of your roof and what needs to be done to stop them from forming.
What are Icicles & How do they Form?
Icicles are spikes of ice that forms when water falling from a surface freezes. They form in bright but subfreezing days where the sun, or heat from a poorly insulated attic, melts snow or ice on a horizontal surface and the water runs of the edge and refreezes on the edge of that surface. Icicles can form on the edge of any slightly horizontal surface under the right conditions including the edge of rocks, tree branches and signs. Icicles are droplets of water contained by a layer of ice so while they seem solid they are actually liquid on the inside.
How do Icicles Damage My Roof?
Although they can cause damage by becoming so heavy they fall onto roofs or other things below they are more of a symptom of a bigger problem with your roofing system. Icicles form on houses with improper or missing attic insulation. Heat from the living space gets into the attic where it warms the underside of your roof melting any snow that has settled there. The water from the melted snow runs down your roof until it gets to the edge where the roof deck is no longer heated and then refreezes. This creates the ideal conditions for icicles but also creates ice dams which can cause the melt water to backup and seep under the shingles causing damage to the roof bed and even the structure under the roof. The damage caused by unchecked ice dams can be extremely costly and time consuming to fix. The easiest way to prevent this damage is to ensure you have proper insulation and ventilation in the attic. Your house may not be holiday card perfect but at least you can sleep easy knowing you have a sound roof over your head.
What Should I do if I Notice Ice Buildup?
If you can do so safely, make sure your roof is kept clear of ice and snow until the spring and then get a quote from us to inspect and fix any issues that may be caused by the icicles.
Connect with Top Roofers if you notice icicle buildup on your eavestroughs. With years of experience, positive reviews from customers, warranties on full roof replacements and WSIB coverage, you can be assured that you’re dealing with professionals. Plus, Top Roofers always provides a detailed written estimate before work begins. We won’t be the cheapest option, but the quality in materials and workmanship provides peace of mind that the roof over your head will last for years.