Icicles on the eaves?

Question

My husband says that icicles hanging off the eaves is a good thing. It means the ventilation system is working as it should.

I'd heard that it was a bad thing, that it meant that heat was escaping thru the roof. Who's right?

Not an ice buildup. Snow does accumulate on the roof, but generally comes down on its own.

Once or twice each winter, we do get the roof, the garage, the wellhouse and the bunkhouse cleared of snow because of the weight.

Answer 1

If you were suffering from serious heat loss there would probably not be any icicles on the eaves. The ventilation system lets out all of the stale air which normally contains moisture. this moisture will then freeze in the cold air hence icicles.

Answer 2

You will always loose heat through the roof. Icicles hanging on the eaves out side your house is a lot better then having them on the inside. Cold and damp in Blighty.

Answer 3

do you have ice building up or just ice cycles hanging from the edge of the roof make sure to keep the roof clean our house on the north side has about 1 foot of ice on the edge and tends to back up and leak into the house. are there spots on the roof that are clear down to the roof and right next to it its covered with snow and ice then that wont be a ventilation problem

Answer 4

Whether your roof is properly insulated or not you will still get icicles hanging down due to the climate at the time, sunlight will melt the snow and it will freeze as soon as the temperature drops again. Who's right ? None of you!.

Answer 5

not sure about that .....but definately knock them down they can be dangerous

Answer 6

I think you are both right!

Answer 7

your husband