How to Prevent Roof Destruction by Ice Dams
Ice dams are the result of a freeze and thaw cycle where you have snow on your roof and they suck. They can damage your roof and gutters, and in the worst case, even damage the structure of your home. But there are things you can (and should) do to prevent and mitigate ice jams.
Stop ice jams before they start by clearing your gutters.
The best thing you can do to prevent ice buildup on your roof is to clean your gutters and downpipes. Be sure to remove leaves and debris from the gutters and inspect the downspouts to make sure they are flowing freely. Remove any obstructions that might prevent water from draining off the roof and this will help stop the freeze and thaw cycle from forming ice blockages.
Install an anti-icing system in your home
If you know that frost is common in your home, you can install de-icing cable , which costs about $70 per 100 feet. While do-it-yourself de-icing cables can help, they pose a potential hazard if you are shoveling or sweeping snow off the roof as the cable can become dislodged.
If you live in an area where de-icing is a common problem, having a professional de-icing system installed is a good option. While installing permanent heated panels can be expensive, it is cheaper than replacing a roof or fixing leak damage.
Use a rake when it starts to snow heavily
As soon as snow begins to fall, a great way to prevent ice dams and icicles from forming is to rake the bottom edge of your eyes with a rake . They come in a variety of sizes and lengths, so it won’t be difficult to find one that fits your roof. This method works best if done while the snow is still soft, before it has melted a lot.
Be careful not to push too hard on the shingles – you don’t want to damage the roof by trying to protect it. Water running off the roof will take the path of least resistance, so removing obstructions in front of the gutter will help prevent melted snow on the roof from refreezing.
Insulate your attic
Another way to prevent ice formation is to insulate the attic. Heat loss from the roof through the attic can cause water from melting snow on the roof to refreeze as solid ice as it moves away from the heat source. Cooling the roof a bit can slow down this process and also save money on heating.
How to remove ice blockages
If prevention is not possible or does not work, breaking ice dams can be a difficult task. The first thing to remember is that you should not climb your slippery, icy roof unless you have the proper training and equipment. If there are sections of the ice dam that you can safely reach, be careful not to damage the roof when they break.
Using calcium chloride to melt ice is a common method of getting rid of an ice dam. Instead of just scattering the crystals on the ice, it is better to fill a sock with calcium chloride and throw it over the edge, roof or ice dam. This will melt the surrounding ice and cause water to run off the roof. However, it is important not to use rock salt or other defrosters containing sodium chloride, as these can damage the roof.