Icicles

Are you wondering why you have so many icicles on the edge of your roof?  Looking at your neighbors house, wondering why they don't.  Or perhaps, they have a few, but not nearly as many as you.  And one more question, why is the snow melted on your roof, but not your neighbors?

One answer....Ice Dams.

Ice dams are formed after a snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures.  The heat from inside of your home rising into your attic, and causes the snow on the roof to melt.  The water from the melted snow runs down your roof and freezes when it gets to the overhang. This part of your roof that hangs out past your house is cold, because it doesn't have the heat from the attic rising into it.

The next question you may be asking, "How do I get rid of ice dams?"

Two answers....attic ventilation and insulation.

First of all, make sure your attic is properly insulated.  This will help keep the heat from your home, in your home. 

Second, proper attic ventilation will help keep the roof the same temperature as the outside air.  This will keep the snow on your roof from melting.