Icicles are a common sight in the winter, but despite their pretty appearance, they can pose a threat to people, pets, and gutter systems. Icicles form when your gutters are obstructed by debris, which can cause water to back up and settle on your roof.

A single gallon of rainwater can weigh as heavy as eight pounds. This means a home with backed up gutters could be holding thousands of pounds of water and ice.

While icicles can put additional weight on your roof gutters, it’s important to note that their presence means there may be something wrong with your gutter system.

Why do I have icicles on my gutters?
A common culprit of icicles is that your gutter system is clogged with debris. However, it isn’t the only cause. For instance. icicles can form when the ventilation in your attic isn’t as effective as it could be. Poor ventilation can cause a buildup of warm air in the attic, which can escape through your roof.

When this warm air escapes it causes the snow on your roof to melt and then re-freeze in the chilly air. This is a problem for two reasons. The first is that this problem can form icicles, which can bog down the majority of rain gutter types. The second is that this problem can cause ice dams, which can ruin your roof.

Warm air may also escape from your attic if your home has poor insulation. Fortunately, these problems are fixable by installing a fan for better ventilation and adding a few extra inches of insulation.

How to fight back against icicles
To fight back against icicle formation on your rain gutters, be sure to properly maintain your gutter system. Residential gutter cleaning is essential throughout the year to keep the drainage system clear of debris.

If icicles do form on your gutter system, carefully remove them before checking for problems. This will keep the icicles from falling on those below and causing injury.

Icicles may be pretty, but they can be dangerous to you and your property. If you suspect your gutters have been damaged by icicles and you need a replacement, contact the gutter replacement services at NW Rain Gutters today.