Ice dams form when warm air from inside your home melts snow on the roof.
Why do icicles form on my roof.
So icicles hanging from a roof s edge may be a sign of an ice dam.
This is a problem for two reasons.
When this warm air escapes it causes the snow on your roof to melt and then re freeze in the chilly air.
Icicles are formed when rooftop snow melts then refreezes as it attempts to flow off the roof.
Ice dams form along the roof s edge usually above the overhang.
Heat and warm air leaking from the living space below melt the snow which trickles down to the colder edge of the roof above the eaves and refreezes.
Poor ventilation can cause a buildup of warm air in the attic which can escape through your roof.
It s this very melting and refreezing process that causes ice dams in the first place.
Clearly this will only occur when the roof surface warms above freezing it will be warm enough to melt snow.
These ice dams can cause damage to the interior and exterior of your home and should be addressed sooner than later.
Icicles can form when the ventilation in your attic isn t as effective as it could be.
When you see icicles form on your gutters and eaves it is an indication that ice dams are building up on your roof.
When the meltwater reaches the colder eaves the part of the roof that extends beyond the walls the water refreezes and creates a buildup of ice along the edge of your roofline says this old house.
Icicleswill usually form when roof snow slowly melts and flows down the roof refreezing at the edge of the roof.
Ice dams are formed when the snow melts and runs down the roof and refreezes on the coldest part of your roof.
When you see icicles form on your gutters and eaves it is an indication that ice.
Small icicles along the edge of your roof.
If you notice icicles forming on gutters you should take a closer look.
You will notice that some homes have icicles around the rooflines and some don t and that is with good reason.
Every inch of snow that accumulates on the roof insulates the roof deck a little more.
Small icicles are a normal part of life as a homeowner in west michigan so you don t necessarily need to be worried but you do need to pay attention and make sure no larger problems may be present.
However when the roof edge is below freezing the melting snow will refreeze and create icicles.
However it isn t the only cause.
You will notice that some homes have icicles around the rooflines and some don t and that is with good reason.