Icicles during this time of year are always a pretty sight, but that doesn’t mean they are good for your home. Gutters are especially vulnerable to icicles and can be severely damaged by them as a result of their weight. Our roofing company in Peabody wants homeowners to be aware of any icicles that form on their gutters and why they might be forming in the first place.
Reasons Why Icicles Form on Gutters
There are a few reasons as to why you might be seeing icicles hanging from your roof. One of the most common issues is a clogged gutter. Perhaps you forgot to clear out all the leaves and twigs from your gutters during the late fall season; this debris can cause blockages in your gutter system in such a way that melt-water can not efficiently run off your roof, into the gutters, and down the downspout. As a result, water fills up and pours over the lip of the gutters, forming icicles. Another reason for icicles is that there is heat escaping from your roof due to poor insulation or poor ventilation. It’s important to contact a roofer to ensure that your attic has an open ventilation in order to prevent the accumulation of warm air.
Immediate Fixes for Icicles on Your Gutters
Because it’s currently winter and the next snow storm could arrive any day, it’s best to hold off on major roof repairs and insulation and ventilation installation until the weather warms up a bit. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to prevent the buildup of icicles and ice dams. First, you can contact Bay State Exteriors for snow and ice removal which will prevent ice dams from forming and damaging your roofing shingles. Second, you can remove large icicles yourself with either a long shovel or rake. Large icicles should be removed as soon as possible as they can be harmful for people walking under them, they can detached your gutter system from your roof, and they can damage cars, air conditioning units or shrubs that lie below them.
For assistance in removing snow and ice or for emergency gutter and roof repair this winter, contact our roofing company in Peabody today for a free project estimate!