"We've Got Your Family Covered"
Ice buildup can signal trouble for homeowners
Scott NewellCreated: 1/29/2007 6:35:35 PM
Updated: 1/30/2007 2:26:33 AM
CLEVELAND -- Many houses in Northeast Ohio now have long icicles hanging on gutters, some from the roof to the ground. Paul Sobel of Beachwood has big icicles on his gutters in the front and back of his house.
"It's been this way ever since it started snowing," Sobel said. "It doesn't matter how heavy it snows. We get this."
But it's not the giant icicles that are the biggest problem. Ice dams can back up into your house and cause damage inside.
Experts say many factors may contribute to ice dams.
"It can be two major things," said Kenny Romanini of Ken's Parkhill Roofing in Willoughby. "It's heat loss and lack of ventilation. The lack of insulation is causing the snow to melt so fast that there's nowhere for the water to go but inside the home."
Your roof also must have ventilation that allows air to circulate.
"The temperature of the attic should be similar to what it is outside," said Romanini.
The sun can melt more snow and make the icing worse.
Some homeowners install heating cables that prevent ice from building up, but they have to be installed before the snow comes.
Something you can do now is use a roof rake to get the snow away from the gutters. And some homeowners can remove the icicles from your gutters, but roofers urge extreme caution because falling ice can cause injuries.
If the ice builds up too much, eventually a roofer can chip the ice out of the gutters.
"It's been this way ever since it started snowing," Sobel said. "It doesn't matter how heavy it snows. We get this."
But it's not the giant icicles that are the biggest problem. Ice dams can back up into your house and cause damage inside.
Experts say many factors may contribute to ice dams.
"It can be two major things," said Kenny Romanini of Ken's Parkhill Roofing in Willoughby. "It's heat loss and lack of ventilation. The lack of insulation is causing the snow to melt so fast that there's nowhere for the water to go but inside the home."
Your roof also must have ventilation that allows air to circulate.
"The temperature of the attic should be similar to what it is outside," said Romanini.
The sun can melt more snow and make the icing worse.
Some homeowners install heating cables that prevent ice from building up, but they have to be installed before the snow comes.
Something you can do now is use a roof rake to get the snow away from the gutters. And some homeowners can remove the icicles from your gutters, but roofers urge extreme caution because falling ice can cause injuries.
If the ice builds up too much, eventually a roofer can chip the ice out of the gutters.