Are Icicles on Your Roof a Warning Sign?

While they might look pretty, icicles can signal a serious problem with your attic's insulation and ventilation, leading to ice dams.

Icicles hanging from your roofline might look festive, but they're often a symptom of a larger issue: an ice dam. This happens when heat escapes from your attic, melting snow on the roof. The water runs down and refreezes at the colder edge, creating a dam. Water then backs up under the shingles, causing leaks and damage to your roof, insulation, and interior walls. The solution isn't just removing the icicles; it's addressing the root cause with proper attic insulation and ventilation to keep your roof's surface evenly cold.