How To Remove Icicles From Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

 

Although many view them as beautiful winter wonders, icicles pose dangerous risks to both you and your home. Aside from the obvious fact that their sharp, pointy edges can harm you when they fall, the stress that they put on the structure of your home while hanging is a hidden concern that most homeowners are unaware of.

Formed as a result of melted ice or snow that comes into contact with freezing temperatures, icicles are extremely heavy and not a friend to your gutters. Additionally, icicles on your roof are a key indication that your home may fall victim to an ice dam. That's why it is so important to inspect your home regularly and take preventative measures to keep them from forming!

To maintain the integrity of your roof this winter, we've collected three ways that you can try to keep icicles from forming on your home; check them out below:

1. If your home is so equipped, turn on your attic fan and direct the airflow to where your gutters meet your roof during periods of freezing temperatures or wet weather conditions.
2. Apply heat tape to your gutters before freezing temperatures are expected. Heat tape works to melt snow and ice before it even has the chance to form into an icicle.
3. Using a roof rake, remove snow from your roof immediately following a snow storm. If there is no time for it to sit on your roof exposed to cold temperatures, there will be no time for an icicle to form! 

Should you not get to your roof in time and you start to notice glistening strands of ice hanging from your gutters, carefully scrape the ice off using a roof rake. However, when doing so, you must be aware of where you are standing so that you don't find yourself with an icicle hanging from you.

Family owned and operated for three generations, Phil's Main Roofing is a fully licensed and insured roofing company offering residential and commercial roofing services. Whether you need minor repairs or complete roof replacement, our technicians are fully prepared to handle any challenge that comes their way. For more information on how we can help, please visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today!