Icicles hanging along the eaves of your house may look beautiful, but they spell trouble. That's because the same conditions that allow icicles to form—snow-covered roofs and freezing weather—also lead to ice dams.
How do you clear your eaves in the winter months? Here are some guidelines to follow:
The Rule of Thumb:
How do you know it’s time to clear the snow off the eaves of your roof? Generally, you should be clearing your eaves about every 6 inches of snowfall. This will help ward off issues like cave-ins and ice dams before they have time to develop.
The Technique:
The simplest, most efficient ways of clearing snow are roof-raking and shoveling. Roof-raking is best for clearing snow off of one-story houses or for clearing the overhangs of taller houses. Rake back 2-3FT of snow be reaching the snow rake above the roof line and pulling down toward you. Make sure to clear those pesky north facing eaves that get less sun.
The Supplies:
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, these are good items to have on hand in case you need to clear snow off your roof or any other part of your property. Good tools can make all the difference when you DIY your winter cleanup.
Snow Rake
Snow Shovel
Waterproof gloves
Workboots
