Yuko shimizu hacking away at ice dams with a hammer chisel or shovel is bad for your roofing and.
How to fix ice damming on roof.
Calcium chloride ice melting product can also be generously sprinkled on the dam causing the ice to break down and melt off.
We have found that the only way to cure an ice dam and prevent one in the first place is to.
Seal all points where warm air leaks from the living space into the spaces immediately below the roof sheathing.
Next remove the ice dam by breaking it free in small chunks.
If left alone the ice dam will continue to be built up by the snow and ice up on your roof.
Fast fixes for ice dam removal blow in cold air.
So the first step is to remove this ice and snow using a snow rake which is a retractable rake that can extend up to about 17 feet or so in length.
If you suspect an ice dam developed on your roof there are things you can do right away to minimize the damage.
Use calcium chloride or an ice melt product.
A steamer is like a pressure washer except that the water is hot.
The best ways to prevent ice dams on your roof before winter.
First get rid of any built up snow using a roof rake used for single family homes with pitched roofs or shoveling it off on flat roofs or when there s a significant amount of snow.
Pull off snow with a long handled aluminum roof rake while you stand safely on the ground.
Be very careful here you don t want to further damage the roof or hurt yourself by falling off.
A rake with wheels.
Insulate the living space well enough to prevent conduction and convection of heat.
Ice dams appear quickly after a heavy snow because of the insulating properties.
However don t use rock salt or sodium chloride because while these will also melt the ice they can damage your roof.
It melts the ice away without damaging the roofing.
Use a roof rake after heavy snowfalls.
Chip off the ice.