Safety Notes -Please read!
It must be noted that ice dam removal can be very dangerous. If you are going to work off a ladder be certain that the bottom of the ladder cannot slip or slide. Also, since the top of the ladder may be resting on ice that has formed over the gutter it can easily slide sideways. If possible try to secure the top of the ladder with a rope. Wear appropriate equipment when breaking the ice. Ice can be very sharp. Wear goggles or a full face shield to prevent ice from striking your eyes or cutting the skin on your face. Do not lean too far to either side of the ladder. Do not allow your belt buckle to go beyond the outside of the ladder.
Walking on a snow covered roof can be very dangerous and should probably be left to the professionals who can work on the roof using harnesses and ropes to keep them from sliding off the roof.
Breaking The Ice
Ice dams will adhere to shingles and if you try to pry them off they will damage the shingles. The most effective way to remove an ice dam is by pulverizing it with a hammer. Any size hammer will do but make certain the end of the hammer is flat. A large nail hammer works very well. A sledge hammer or an axe can cause damage to the roof structure and is not recommended. Avoid using sharp objects to break the ice as it is very easy for the shingles to be damaged if the object goes through the ice and strikes the roof. Be careful to not strike the shingles, only hit on the ice. It is not necessary to remove every bit of ice. The purpose is breaking the ice dam to release trapped water and preventing additional water from getting trapped and causing leakage in the house. Sometimes all that is necessary is breaking the ice dam in a few places to provide channels for water to escape.
Other Methods
Salt Filled Sock
This works quite well by melting a channel through the ice so the water can escape. There are a few things to consider. First of all the salt may cause some discoloring on the shingles. Secondly, the salt may interact with any metal on the roof and cause rusting. Thirdly, the salt may kill trees, shrubs, grass or perennials around the downspout outlet where the salt will accumulate in the soil. Lastly, the salt will only last for a short period of time before it will have to be renewed. By the time the salt in the sock has dissolved the sock will have frozen into the ice so a new sock will have to be used. In some cases more than one sock will have to be laid on the roof because of the depth of the ice dam.
Hot Water
It will take lots of hot water to melt through an ice dam but if it is accessible it will melt channels in the ice dam. Bear in mind that you will be introducing more water on the roof surface that can later refreeze.
Placing ice melter on the roof
Ice dam removal can be accomplished simply by spreading ice melter on the roof. However, the same issues as filling socks with salt need to be considered-ice melt can cause problems with shingles, damage metal and kill trees and plants.
Ice dam removal may be the only way to stop leaks in the house. However, because of the safety issues it is best left to professionals who are better equipped to deal with the snow and ice on the roof.
