Why Do I Have Icicles Hanging From My Gutters

However it isn t the only cause.

Why do i have icicles hanging from my gutters.

Why do i have icicles on my gutters. An ice dam is caused by a buildup of ice in your gutters. When the gutter is free from snow ice and objects the water will run into it and on down to the downspout. When the snow melts the water runs into the gutter.

There are some legitimate reasons why having icicles hanging from your gutter guards is a nuisance like water dripping onto the ground in front of an entry door or along a walkway but there are also reasons why it is healthy for your gutters and your home. Since the gutter is not above the house where it can be heated the water refreezes into ice presto ice dams in the gutter and icicles hanging down. A common culprit of icicles is that your gutter system is clogged with debris. Poor ventilation can cause a buildup of warm air in the attic which can escape through.

Icicles can form when the ventilation in your attic isn t as effective as it could be. Though icicles are beautiful to look at they can also be a sign that an ice dam is forming under your roof. In addition to the icicles you see hanging from the side of your house another problem homeowners face in the winter is the formation of ice dams ice dams are gathered ice either at the gutter or soffit which like a dam traps water behind it where it pools up on your roof causing unseen damage to walls ceilings and insulation. I love to see icicles sparkling in the moonlight don t you.

As the ice gets thicker and thicker in the gutter it stops the water as it comes down the roof making an ice dam.