How To Safely Remove Icicles From Gutters

Icicles are usually one of the first warning signs of possible ice dams on your roof.

How to safely remove icicles from gutters.

What is an ice dam. After snow falls use a roof rake to remove all snow and ice as soon as you can. Don t try to remove thick. An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof usually at the gutters or soffit.

To prevent icicles from forming in the first place clean out gutters before freezing temps hit to keep items like leaves from clogging the downspouts and allowing water to build up says jason miller a merchandising director for lowe s. The long handle on the rake allows you to remove icicles and. For small icicles less than a foot long and an inch wide you can remove them yourself with something like a telescoping snow rake available at hardware stores. Before proceeding you should know what risks come with removing icicles from your gutter yourself.

Icicles may be pretty but they can tear off gutters loosen shingles and cause water to back up into your house. Our experts share fast fixes for ice dam removal long term repair and prevention tips. While standing safely on the ground hold a long handled aluminum rake and use it to scrape the snow and icicles off your roof. This article will explain what ice dams are how they form and the best methods for removing them safely.