Icicles: Friend or Foe?

1/25/2018 (Permalink)

I don't know about you, but when I was young I used to love Icicles. They are just pretty and somewhat magical. We used to have sword fights, and eat them like a Popsicle. Looking back probably not the best decisions, but hey. We were kids. In reality icicles can be very bad for  homeowners. They occur when snow starts to melt and the water ends up somewhere the temperature is still below freezing. Icicles if in abundance can put stress on your homes structure causing damage. Icicles can also lead to ice jams. This is where water drainage in places, like your gutters is blocked. The water then retreats and usually ends up in your attic or walls. To prevent icicles make sure your home is well insulated and your warm air is not getting out and helping to melt the snow. Make sure your home is well ventilated. You can also take a rake and be sure to remove as much excess snow from your roof as possible.