Icicles and dams transpire as a result of:
- Loss of heat from the structure
- Buildup of snow on the roof top
- Through vents
- Through insulation
- Through vents on the roof
- Winter temperature changes- freeze/thaw
- heating on cold winter days, with freezing nights
As the snow on the roof continues to accumulate, icicle and ice dams continue to increase. Mold problems, internal structure damage and roof leaks can subsequently surface from water ponding. Falling icicles can be very dangerous to other parts of the roof, to your decks and landscaping and to people and animals walking below.
THE PROCESS OF WINTER
- Snow builds up after storms on the rooftops
- Heat from the structure (through different sources) can cause snowmelt
- The melted snow runs down the roof to the valleys' eaves
- The snow that is melted refreezes at the bottom of the valleys and at the roofs eaves.
- As the day and nighttime temperatures fluctuate up and down the dams and icicles gradually grow longer.
