How to Remove Icicles From a Roof Overhang

Icicles are long wedges of ice that form along the edge of your home's roof due to an imbalance of temperatures between the top and lower part of the roof. They can cause injury if they fall off when the outdoor temperatures increases above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the risk of injury, it is recommended that you hire a professional to remove icicles, but you can do it yourself if you proceed with caution.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden pole
• Ladder
• Roof rake
• Shovel

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Stand off to the side of the ice dams, and keep the area underneath the iced area clear.

   • 2

     Tap the icicles with a wooden pole to knock them off the roof overhang. Avoid forcibly hitting the icicles, as this can damage the roof.

   • 3

     Lean a sturdy ladder against the roof, and sweep snow off the roof's surface with a roof rake. The roof rake eliminates the accumulated snow, which prevents icicles from forming in the future.

   • 4

     Shovel the area below the roof to remove icicle fragments and snow.