Got Icicles?
Icicles may be pretty, but they can cause a whole lot of damage to your gutters.

Icicles form when water runs down the roof and tries to enter the gutter system. When your gutter system is free of debris, the water will be able to run down, through, and out the downspout. But when the gutter is blocked, the water has nowhere to go but up and over the edges. The flow of water and constant dripping causes a slow freeze that forms into icicles. Just consider the weight of an icicle system alone—that’s a lot of pound per inch fighting the force of gravity!
A lack of proper attic ventilation, debris in the gutters, and poor roof slope are a few of the common causes of gutter icicles. When you have icicles, you may also experience ice dams—a buildup of ice, melted and refrozen, that weighs down your gutters and is extremely hazardous over sidewalks and doorways.
Here’s what to do about icicles:
1.Make sure your gutters are clean prior to heavy snowfall if possible.
2.Check your attic space and look for adequate insulation and ventilation. If you have questions about this, reach out to a roofing or insulation specialist.
3.Install a heating cable system. At Rainman, we install Thermwire—a self-regulating heat cable perfect for most roofs, gutters and downspouts. The wire can be applied almost anywhere melting snow and ice can penetrate the roof surface. In a self-regulating heat cable, the core becomes more conductive during colder conditions, therefore the wattage use will increase in response to the cold to a maximum of the implied wattage of your heat cable. These cables are ideal for freeze protection during the winter.
4.Depending on your roofing situation, invest in a roof rake and sweep away the snow to limit the melting and formation of icicles on your gutters. Pull fresh snow off your roof often throughout the winter season. Keep in mind a roof rake might not be a wise choice as they can often tear off heat cables and shingles. Use your best discretion!
5.You could always plan to knock down icicles after they appear, but we encourage you to be more proactive than that! Options 1-4 are your best bet.
If you have questions about icicles and your gutters, the team at Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters can help. Founded in 1992 as a local family owned and operated business, Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters protect you and your investment with a strong business that backs up our 20-year workmanship warranty on the gutter and 10 years on the corners. As lifelong residents of Spokane, we are active in the community through business, civic and charitable involvement and support. Contact our team if you would like more information on any of the services we offer!









