Snow and icicles seem to go hand in hand. Snow is frozen water, so icicles feel inevitable. That assumption sounds logical, but it is often wrong.
To understand why icicles form, you have to look higher up on the roof.
Where the ice really comes from
Ice forms in gutters because snow melts somewhere above them. If you check your roof a day or two after a snowfall, you can usually spot the problem areas.
Common sources include skylights, furnace exhaust pipes, and plumbing vents. These areas lose heat and melt snow first. You will often see small depressions in the snow where this happens.
You may also notice straight vertical melt lines that line up with roof rafters. These are another sign of heat escaping from the house.
The melted snow travels under the snowpack toward the eaves. When it reaches the colder edge of the roof, it refreezes inside the gutter.
How ice builds up and causes damage
This melting and refreezing cycle is slow and steady. As long as there is snow to melt, ice continues to build.
Once the gutter fills with ice, freezing continues on the outside. That is when icicles appear.
If icicles form over walkways or driveways, they create a real slip and fall hazard.
From experience, it only takes about five to six inches of melted roof snow to completely fill a gutter with ice.
With common Michigan weather patterns, a few inches of snow followed by a brief warm up can create ice on homes in Lansing without you ever noticing it.
When water freezes inside a gutter that was not built with proper gutter installation, it expands. That expansion can loosen hangers or pull them free. In severe cases, gutters can tear away from the house under the weight of heavy ice.
The real solution to ice problems
The most effective solution is proper attic insulation and ventilation.
The goal is to keep the roof deck close to the outdoor air temperature. When that happens, snow stays frozen and forms an even blanket across the roof.
No melting means no ice.
Other solutions include heat cables in gutters or heated mats to protect walkways. In severe cases, professional ice removal is the safest way to protect your gutters and prevent damage.
Do gutter covers stop ice?
If you have gutter covers, the brand does not matter. Ice can still form.
The difference is where the ice ends up.
With covers, ice tends to form on top of the gutter instead of inside it. That often creates visible icicles.
If those icicles are not over a traffic area, they usually do not cause damage. In many cases, ice on the outside of the gutter is better than ice trapped inside where it can cause structural failure.
Is ice inevitable?
No. With proper insulation and ventilation, snow stays in place and ice problems disappear.
If you do experience ice issues, the goal is simple. Keep the ice out of your gutters.
Have questions about ice on your gutters?
We can look at your roof, attic conditions, and gutter system and give you clear guidance.