Michigan winters are no joke—freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and icy conditions are just part of life here. One common sight during these cold months is icicles hanging from rooftops and gutters. While they might look beautiful glistening in the sunlight, they can be pretty scary and irritating. If you’ve just had new gutters installed and you’re still seeing icicles buildup in your gutters, hanging off your roof, don’t panic—it’s totally normal!
Icicles form due to roof heat loss and melting snow, NOT bad gutters.
Many homeowners assume that icicles are a sign of faulty gutters, but the truth is, they form because of roof heat loss and melting snow. When warm air escapes from your attic, it melts the snow on your roof. As that water runs down and reaches the colder edges of your roof and gutters, it refreezes into icicles. Even brand-new gutters won’t stop this natural process.
Gutters don’t cause icicle buildup—weather conditions do.
No matter how perfect your gutters are, they won’t stop icicle buildup in your gutters from forming when temperatures fluctuate. If you’re seeing icicles hanging from your gutters this winter, don’t blame the gutters—blame the weather! Icicles form when heat escapes from your home, melting the snow on your roof. As the melted water runs down and reaches the colder edges of your roof and gutters, it refreezes into icicles. This happens regardless of how new or well-installed your gutters are.
The real concern: Ice dams!
Ice dams in gutters happen when melting snow refreezes at the roof’s edge, creating a barrier that blocks proper water drainage. This buildup forces water to back up under your shingles, leading to leaks, roof damage, and even structural issues. Poor attic insulation and ventilation are the main culprits, as they allow heat to escape and melt the snow unevenly. All in all, while gutters don’t cause ice dams, they can make the issue worse if clogged or improperly pitched. Installing heat cables, improving insulation, and keeping gutters clear can help prevent costly winter damage.
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