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Showing a home to prospective buyer with icicles or an ice dame needs explanation.  I get asked all the time the causes of them, the dangers of them, and what can be done in the future to protect yourself and the home.  Generally, after a home has several inches of snow on the roof, the sun or the heat from inside the home causes a melting and then refreezing episodes.  First and foremost the icicles can range from a couple of inches to more severe at 2-4 feet long and weighing 25 pounds or more.  Simple physics can tell one of them hitting you or bumping into them while showing a home will leave a mark.  Be very careful when showing after dark.

When you see lots of icicles, more than likely with that constant melting and freezing will begin to form ice dams.  This is evident when you can see several inches thick of ice at the edge of the roof.  Depending on the pitch of the roof and amount in insulation in the attack of the home can cause ice dams to form quick.  Poorly insulated homes, and lower pitch of the roof attributes to large formed ice dams.  The more melting and freezing that goes on could cause significant damage.  First signs could be water coming through your ceiling.  If that is the case, then you may need to get electrical heat tape (and have it properly installed).  That will help.  Depending on how high the roof pitch is off the ground in severe situations, one may need to put melting rock salt also on the roof.

These items are just temporary solutions.  This information is explained to the buyers when ever these icicles and ice dams are present.  In the Spring the roof, the attic, and the eaves throughs need to be evaluated by a licensed professional.  It may require more insulation in the attic and or a new roof with ice and water shield apllied for possible long term solutions.