Look Out! Here Are The Safest Ways To Remove Icicles From Your Home

Although winter is the perfect time to catch up on a neglected hobby, it sometimes comes with a boatload of frustrating experiences. These include a chilly home, concerns about preventing your pipes from freezing, and, of course, icicles forming on your property. Icicles are carrot-shaped formations that often hang from eaves and gutters. They form when warm air from inside your home — including the attic — escapes and heats the ice dams at the roof's edge. What follows is that the ice will first melt, and start dropping down, before refreezing when it meets air that's below freezing point. This is how nature creates an ice formation that can be fascinating and dangerous in almost equal measure. To stay safe, it's best to remove icicles. The problem is that the act of removing icicles can be almost as dangerous as the icicles themselves. For example, knocking an icicle with a pole haphazardly can mean a cracked gutter or a head injury. 

So, what's the safest way to remove icicles? You may think it's a cost you'd rather ignore, but the safest way to remove icicles is to engage a licensed contractor. Granted, you can knock them off when they are small and just starting to develop. However, removing the big ones can pose several risks, including to your shingles, which are already strained. Chances are, one misinformed action is what stands between you and a costly, disastrous outcome — even if homeowners insurance may cover water damage from melted snow. That said, if it's nothing much and you have some knowledge, the following tips can come in handy. 

The first step to removing icicles safely is to have the right equipment. These include gloves, a helmet (bear in mind that icicles can weigh more than 1,000 pounds), safety glasses, a long pole or broom handle, and an extendable roof rake. Now that you have the appropriate gear, position yourself at a safe distance from the icicles, then start to gently tap the formations down, starting with the low-hanging ones. Remember to push them away from walls, windows, and electrical wires. That means you should direct them to the lawns, which is the perfect place, mainly because there's little chance the fallen icicles will refreeze after melting. Fortunately, icicles often go where they are pushed. You must never attempt to use heat to melt them off, as this can cause a fire. 

Still, knocking icicles with a long pole is not the only safe DIY tip. For example, provided you follow the necessary precautions, you can mount a ladder and carefully hit the icicles off. The trick is to ensure the ladder is sturdy and firmly positioned — and doesn't rest on the icicle-covered gutter. Also, opt for a wooden ladder, not a metal one, and have someone else to help. Remember, however, that engaging a qualified professional is the safest way to remove icicles, particularly with large formations. Another lasting solution is to get rid of ice dams and prevent them in the future.