Why Do I Have Icicles Hanging From My Gutters

Icicles form when the gutter is obstructed and allows the water to run over the gutter and drip down below it.

Why do i have icicles hanging from my gutters.

Why do i have icicles on my gutters. Though icicles are beautiful to look at they can also be a sign that an ice dam is forming under your roof. One of the most familiar sights in the wintertime is a line of icicles hanging from the gutters of a home. I love to see icicles sparkling in the moonlight don t you.

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. When the snow melts the water runs into the gutter. An ice dam is caused by a buildup of ice in your gutters. Icicles can form when the ventilation in your attic isn t as effective as it could be.

This dripping action in cold weather causes the water droplets to freeze and slowly forms icicles on gutters. When the gutter is free from snow ice and objects the water will run into it and on down to the downspout. Poor ventilation can cause a buildup of warm air in the attic which can escape through. As the ice gets thicker and thicker in the gutter it stops the water as it comes down the roof making an ice dam.

A common culprit of icicles is that your gutter system is clogged with debris.