Metal roof ice guards are designed to protect against avalanches from the roof. This means that they block large layers of ice and snow and prevent them from falling off the roof. However, small pieces and splashes may seep through the protection.

These pieces are not dangerous and in most cases, they end up in gutters where they melt with the coming of spring. The main layer of snow and ice lingers on snow stops and leaves the roof in the form of meltwater.