How to Get Icicles Off the Gutters of My House

Icicles weigh gutters down.

Icicles might provide enchanting additions to the edge of a roof, especially to children, but you should remove them before they pose a danger to your house. Clogged gutters often cause the icicles, and the extra weight that the frozen water exerts can lead to sagging gutters. The icicles signify an ice damn that blocks melting snow and ice from flowing into the gutters, leading to roof damage and leaks. Remove the icicles from the gutters before damage occurs.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic roof rake

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Instructions

1. Rake the snow off the roof edges using a plastic roof rake, going back a few feet. Rake the snow down to the ground. The roof rake has a long handle that allows you to rake the roof snow from the ground.

2. Adjust the roof rake handle so that it is shorter than needed to reach the roof but long enough to reach the gutters.

3. Stand away from the house so you are not directly underneath the gutters. Hold the roof rake handle and tap the icicles along the gutters with the rake, breaking off the icicles.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase attic insulation to avoid icicles on the gutters in the future.

References

• University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension: Icicles Can Mean Problems