What Do Icicles on the Roof Mean?
Icicles on the roof may seem to be a reflection of a beautiful winter's day, but the hanging ice may be far from benign. Snow on your roof indicates that your attic is properly insulated against heat escape. Icicles can often be a sign of just the opposite. Heat from the home accumulates under the roof deck and melts the underside of the snow pack. Water runs down the roof to the overhang and refreezes to form icicles and a potentially damaging ice dam. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ice Dams
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An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof. The obstruction prevents roof snow melt from draining safely away via your eaves troughs to the downspouts. As the dam freezes and thaws, it grows and thickens. Once it spills over the eaves, icicles form. Ice dams often appear around skylights, where insulation is not as thick, and on homes with diverse roof angles and complicated roof structures.
Damage Potential
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An ice dam prevents the flow of water down your roof. The melting snow can back up and seep through your shingles to cause water damage in your attic. A thick ice dam can damage roof soffits, fascias and flashing or shift vent stacks to cause additional leakage down the exterior wall cavities. Walls, ceilings, insulation and basements become susceptible to water damage and mold growth. Icicles should be an early warning system that triggers a detailed roof assessment.
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Preventative Measures
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Installing an ice and water shield as a secondary membrane over the entire roof and not just along the eaves will form a barrier to keep moisture out. This may be done on new construction or when a replacement roof is installed. Attics require sufficient roof vents to keep the space at the same temperature as the outside air. Adequate insulation is required on the attic floor to prevent heat loss from the living space below.
Alternate Fixes
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Heating cables placed in eaves troughs and along the roof edge can melt ice dams before damage occurs. In heavy snowfall areas, a roof shovel, designed to be used from the ground, can remove the heavy accumulations that can lead to ice dam formation. It should be noted, however, that shoveling, if not done properly, can lead to shingle damage. Existing ice dams should be left to the professionals to remove to avoid potential accidents or injury.
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References
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