Dams and Icicles Dangerous on Roofs

The recent weather in the northeastern states has reminded us not only about the potential ground level complications brought by heavy snow and cold temperatures, but also about the dangers often hanging above near the roofline.

Icicles form when snow melts and drips down to the eaves and refreezes. Recent storms in the northeast have created monster icicles 10 or more feet in length and 12 inches in diameter. In addition to countless injuries reported every year (including 15 deaths), icicles can cause a variety of property damage beyond the roof, including water damage, broken gas meters & electric lines, broken windows etc. While they are generally infrequent and short-lived, it is often an easy problem to fix, and may even make your property more energy efficient.

The most common causes of icicle formation are inadequate insulation, air leakage into the attic, improper ventilation, and the lifestyle of the occupant (the higher the thermostat, the more likely are you to have heat loss). Simple and usually inexpensive changes here can make a huge difference, such as adding more insulation or ventilation, or just turning down the thermostat. Even changing the color of your roofing material the next time you repair or replace your roof can make a difference both in ice melt and energy efficiency.

Ice Dams can be even more dangerous. An ice dam occurs when accumulated snow melts on sloping roofs, flows down and refreezes along the eaves. When later meltwater reaches the dam, it cannot properly drain. Ice dams often cause leaking through roofing material as well as damage to ceilings, walls, roof structure and insulation. When an ice dam finally weakens enough to fall, it is like an avalanche, damaging things in its path, including gutters and trim, electrical wires, heating & cooling equipment and more. Even worse, the roof may be so weakened that it can collapse.

It’s generally not a good idea to try and remove ice dams or icicles by yourself. Chipping away at the ice can actually cause more harm to the roofing materials. While clearing the snow from your roof may help prevent icicles and ice dams, it too can cause damage to your roofing material if not performed properly. While not always an appropriate solution, and often a last resort, plenty of snow and ice melting solutions are available.

Options to temporarily address the problem are abundant. However, if your roof has regular accumulations of icicles or ice dams, a professional roofer will generally be the best contact for creating an actual solution that will prevent them in the future. Moreover, such solutions are often simple and less expensive than temporary fixes.