Those Sparkling Icicles Could Be Hiding A Dangerous Problem

Have you ever wondered what those zig-zags in the snow on people's roofs are? That’s the question we’re answering in this episode. We’ll discuss the dangers of icicles and how to prevent thousands of dollars worth of repairs.

When snow piles up on your roof, the warmth inside your home can melt the bottom layer. That water runs off the roof until it reaches the cold eves, where it freezes again. If that happens enough times, a dam of ice can start to trap water in pools. Then the water can find its way under your shingles.

Those zig-zags are there to help prevent that. They’re called Heat Tape or Heat Cable, and they ensure the water can leave your roof. Heat tape melts a path through the snow and ice off the edge of your roof and down your gutters and downspout. That way the ice dams don’t form and water drains how it should.