Are Icicles on gutters bad? It’s too bad you’re reading this instead of enjoying the season’s snowfall like many others out there. But it’s still a good thing because we do need to talk about whether icicles on gutters are bad.
Icicles hanging on the outside of your gutters are dangerous and should be removed immediately. They can be a sign of bad insulation or ice dams forming in your gutter.
Whether you’re a homeowner or an investor, it’s essential to know why these icicles aren’t a good sign and what you can do about them.
To make sure your family and your pets are safe, it’s best to check if these icicles on those icicles on your gutters. So get your coat and gloves ready for this icy article!
Are Icicles on Gutters Bad?
Icicles add a magical sight in the cold season, but they could also be a sign of a bigger problem. Seeing icicles on your roof gutter could be an indication of inadequate insulation in your home.
They’re also a major sign of ice dams building up in the gutters, which can lead to various issues in your home.
Leaving such a problem unattended could leave you with water leaking inside your home as well as foundation issues. Icicles and ice dams can also damage your house’s gutters and shingles.
What Causes Icicles and Ice Dams?
Now that you know why these beautiful creations can be dangerous, it’s time to find out what causes them and how this issue could fester. Let’s start with the icicles.
Icicle Formation and Its Dangers
You’ll see icicles forming most commonly in cold areas. If there’s a place where water flows from an overhang at a sub-zero temperature, you’ll see icicles forming naturally.
Icicles hang from ledges, houses or building roofs, and even tree branches after periods of snow melt or freezing rain. In fact, they can be used as a tool to determine the movement and quality of underground water.
How Icicles Form
Whether it’s due to poor home insulation or the slow cycle of snowfall, the underlayer of snow on your roof will start to melt with time. This half-frozen water then starts to drip into the gutters.
Gutters are usually filled with debris and snow from the weather. As a result, water starts to pool in them. Eventually, the water overflows and starts to drip down the sides, forming the icicles you see.
The Dangers of Icicles
Icicles can be awfully dangerous. They can easily fall on a person, injure them, or even penetrate a car’s windshield if they’re large enough.
If the icicles continue to grow, they can get very long, adding extra weight to the gutters. As a result, this build-up of icicles can actually tear the gutters from the house, resulting in considerable damage.
Even worse, icicles can get under your shingles and cause water damage inside your home.
Ice Dams Formations and Dangers
Ice dams are formed when the snow melts and refreezes on your roof. The ice blocks water from draining properly, leading to icicles forming.
Ice dams are one of the main reasons why you’ll start seeing icicles on your gutters. It’s vital to recognize what an ice dam looks like and identify the source behind it before it causes serious problems.
How Ice Dams Form
Whenever the temperature inside your home is warmer than the outdoor temperature, you’ll notice ice dams and icicles beginning to form. Snow melts on your roof and flows down into your gutters, where the temperature is freezing, causing the water to harden into ice.
An ice dam prevents water from flowing off your roof and instead, it pools and refreezes in big chunks. While ice dams may look harmless and even pretty when adorned with icicles, the damage they can cause isn’t as pretty.
Many people think that seeing icicles on their roofs is a clear sign of an ice dam. While that may be somewhat true, there are other signs that indicate an ice dam is forming on your roof. These signs include:
- Leaks inside your home or water stains. Because these ice dams hinder water drainage, they can cause water to flow inside your home and wreak havoc. As a result, you may notice ceiling cracks or stains on the floor or ceiling.
- Uncommonly large icicles. If the icicles are oddly large and hang directly over the gutter troughs or shingles, they may have formed as a result of an ice dam.
- Hot spots. A hot spot is an area where heated air escapes out to your roof and causes snow to melt and the underlayer to refreeze. When you go outside after it has snowed, look for areas on your roof where there’s no snow. If you see these spots, your roof is at a high risk of ice damming.
The Dangers of Ice dams
Just like icicles, there’s a high risk of the ice dam falling and hurting any of your family members or the family pet. What’s more, leaving an ice dam unaddressed can increase the risk of leaks and water stains inside your home.
It can cause damage to the shingles, underlayments, and gutters. Just keep in mind that an ice dam can be difficult to remove due to its tough, icy conditions.
You might think that taking out the ladder and removing the ice dam yourself is a fun DIY project, but you’re better off calling in a professional.
Using chemicals or salt to melt the ice can damage the roofing material. What’s more, chipping away at the ice itself can cause damage to your gutters and shingles.
One thing you can do is to prevent ice dams before they start forming by addressing the root causes of the problem. By doing this, you’ll also be stopping the menacing large icicles from forming.
How to Stop Icicles From Forming on Gutters?
While icicles are certainly lovely to look at, they can be dangerous and cause property damage. Here are some tips on how to prevent icicle and ice dam build-ups.
Enhance the Insulation of Your Home and Attic
One of the main reasons why ice dams and icicles start to form is inadequate insulation. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommended amount of insulation, and insulate your attic and home accordingly.
Properly insulating your home will allow it to retain the warm temperature inside without it affecting the outer walls and causing any snow to melt. Installing soffit and ridge vents will also allow for better air circulation, which helps to prevent ice dams and icicles from forming.
Clean the Gutters Frequently
A clogged gutter is your worst enemy. It can lead to water leaks inside your home, causing foundation problems. It can also cause water to pool over time, which can lead to issues such as insect infestation.
Keep your gutter clean before and after every snowfall and free it of debris. This will greatly help in preventing ice dams and icicles.
Seal the Air Leaks
Even with proper insulation, leaks from around your home and vents can generate enough heat to melt the snow on your roof. Seal the leaks around your chimney, fireplace flue, and other vents.
By preventing the warm air from escaping, you’ll be able to prevent ice dams and excess moisture in your home.
Sweep the Snow Off Your Roof
One of the best ways to avoid icicles and ice dams forming is to use a roof rake to sweep the fresh snow off your roof. There are specially made rakes designed to remove snow from the edges of your roof while you stay on the ground, eliminating the need for a ladder.
Those rakes are mainly used to help prevent snow buildups and should be used cautiously so as not to damage the gutter or shingles. When the excess snow falls down, make sure to clear it away quickly before it freezes over your front walk.
Do Gutter Guards Cause Icicles to Form?
Gutter guards are usually used to keep your gutter clean and free from debris. It’s a very effective tool that can help you cut down on the amount of gutter cleaning and save you some money in the long run.
A common misunderstanding among homeowners is that gutter guards can cause icicles to form. Truth is, gutter guards don’t actually cause icicles.
As we’ve discussed before, icicles form due to ventilation or insulation issues in your home. The guard gutters don’t aid in their formation.
As a matter of fact, they help keep your gutter clear of falling leaves and debris, which helps the water flow easier and prevents ice dams from building up.
Final Thoughts
To answer the question “are icicles on gutters bad?” The sad answer is yes, they’re usually a bad sign. Icicles can indicate a host of problems that could be expensive to repair later.
Whether it’s poor insulation or an ice dam blocking your gutters, dealing with ice dams and icicles quickly can help you avoid future issues.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and over 10 years of experience working in IT. As a homeowner, I love working on projects around the house, and as a father, I love investigating various ways to keep my family safe (whether or not this involves tech). I’ve also played guitar for almost 20 years and love writing music, although it’s hard to find the time these days.