Chili, N.Y. - Dave Sylvester was tempted to chop down the dagger-like icicles hanging from his home in Chili, but he never got to it.
By the time temperatures hit 40 degrees for the second day in a row, those icicles melted, causing ice damming. Not only did the icicles fall, but they dragged down the gutters and soffits on Sylvester's home.
He called in the experts from Dan Fulmer Construction to make the repairs. Paul LaRuez and his team did the work replacing the soffits and gutters. But they also went a step further.
They added insulation to the attic of Sylvester's home. LaRuez said heat loss is what causes the ice to form and dangle off the rooftop.
He said if your house is properly insulated, it shouldn't happen.
LaRuez doesn't advise people to chop down these icicles themselves. He said it can be dangerous and you can damage the roof.
There are heat strips you can place on the roof to prevent ice buildup. LaRuez said it's best to have them installed by a licensed electrician.
