How to Get Rid of Icicles on a House

Icicles may add beauty to your home during winter but they are treacherous. Falling icicles can injure someone who is standing underneath. Icicles can also damage your roof by putting strain on it and contributing to leakage. Your best strategy for removing icicles is striking early, not giving them enough time to become big and heavy. With the use of some simple household tools, you should be able to keep your roof icicle free.

Ladder
Hammer
Roof rake

Instructions

- 1
  Place a ladder in a safe position against the house. Work with a partner who can hold the ladder steady and hand you the tools you need to remove the icicles.
- 2
  Pull the icicles off with your hands, making sure your assistant is out of the way when they fall. Use the hammer to break up stubborn icicles. Do not use the hammer on your roof as it could damage the shingles.
- 3
  Remove snow from the roof using a roof rake. Remove the snow that has accumulated a few feet back from the eaves. This will prevent any melt water from reaching the ice dam and halt the creation of icicles.
- 4
  Leave a thin layer of snow on the roof. This layer will not only protect your shingles from the roof rake but also keeps the roof cool and prevents water from flowing down toward the ice dam.
- 5
  Refrain from using products such as de-icers or pick axes on a roof. De-icers can ruin the color of your roof, while pick axes can break up the shingles, damaging the roof permanently.

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