Should You Remove Icicles on Your House?

Preventing Ice Dams

• Insulate the space above your ceiling joists to keep warm air from entering the attic. Patch all holes in the heating ducts that run through the attic with duct tape. Use a snow rake to scrape snow in excess of 2 inches off the roof, which will ensure that the layers of snow closest to the roof stay frozen. Too many layers of snow act as an insulating barrier, which traps and holds in attic heat.

Removing Ice Dams

• Do not use any sharp tools to chip at ice dams because these can damage the roof shingles. Sprinkle the ice dam with a deicer, and lay approved heat wire over the ice dam. Plug the heat wire into a grounded power outlet, and allow it to melt away the ice dam. Once the ice dam has melted away, install the heat wire to the eaves according to the manufacturer's directions. This heat wire will ensure that the ice dams don't recur.

Removing Icicles From the Inside out

• Open a window, and strike the icicles with a shovel or rake. Break off 6 inches of icicle at a time to avoid having large pieces of ice hit the ground. Work from the tip of the icicle to its base connected to the roof. Don't force an icicle to break if you can't get it to come loose with the shovel or rake. Damage could result to the eave or gutter when using excessive force.

Removing Icicles From the Outside

• Stand at a safe distance from the fall zone, and strike the icicles with a roof rake. Break a little bit off at a time and work upward. When you can't break anymore off by hand, screw a spray nozzle onto a garden hose, and spray the largest parts of the icicles with water until they melt away.