Keep it simple and safe when you remove ice dams from gutters. I suggest using one of these three methods: hot water, a roof rake, or melting the ice dam with calcium chloride.
Removing ice dams prevents costly repairs and keeps your home safe during winter. Destructive ice dams will eventually rip down your gutters, loosen your shingles, and back up water. That water can damage your roof, foundation, and walls if it makes its way inside your home.
Ice dam removal is typically a DIY task for most homeowners. However, Home Gnome can connect you with a local gutter cleaning expert if the weather is too cold or you simply want the job done quickly.
What is an Ice Dam?
An ice dam is a thick ridge of ice – often accumulating numerous icicles along your gutters – that forms at the edge of your roof, trapping water and snowmelt. Although they may look beautiful, they’re more of a threat than a winter wonder.
“An ice dam prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof,” explains the University of Minnesota. “The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.”
Hot Water
| Difficulty: Beginner to moderate Cost: $80 to $370 Estimated Time: It depends on the size of the ice dam and your gutter system. It could take anywhere from a couple of hours to much longer. |
An effective way to remove small ice blockages in your gutters is to use hot water. Although you can complete this job with a bucket of boiling water and a ladder, I recommend avoiding it as it could be a recipe for disaster. Instead, connect a hot water hose to a hot water faucet – not your everyday hot water tap on your sink – and melt the ice away.
Hot water faucets work with a sink in your kitchen or laundry room and use a heating element to warm the water to near-boiling temperatures. If you don’t have a hot water tap installed in your home, Home Gnome can connect you with a local plumbing expert. Hot water hoses are easy to find at big box and home improvement stores.
Expert Tip: “Although some people recommend using a pressure washer to remove an ice dam, we do not encourage this technique as it can seriously damage your roof,” said the experts at Taylor-Made Roofing & Contracting Services in Bolivar, Missouri.
What you need:
- Hot water hose
- Hot water tap
- Ladder
How to do it:
- Connect the hose to the hot water tap.
- Set up a ladder near the ice dam. I suggest working from a safe and stable spot, avoiding ice-covered areas or where water runoff could fall on you.
- Use the hose to run hot water over the ice dam.
- Keep an eye on the area as the ice melts, ensuring the water flows away from your home to prevent pooling or refreezing.
Read More: Since you’re using a ladder for this method, learn more about How to Clean Gutters Safely Using a Ladder.
Roof Rakes
| Difficulty: Beginner Cost: $33 to $200 Estimated Time: Expect this method to take 1 hour or more. Your project will depend on the size of your roof and the amount of snow. |
A roof rake is lightweight and easy to use. Thanks to their extendable handles, you can safely work from the ground while pulling snow off the roof. Its gentle blade is designed for this purpose, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your roof or gutters.
My Tip: I’ve found this method works best when the snow is still soft. I always wear a hat to prevent snow and ice clumps from falling on my head while working.
What you need:
- Roof rake
- Hat or hoodie
How to do it:
- Place the roof rake on top of the roof, reaching as far up as you can.
- Pull the rake downward to remove the snow and let it fall to the ground.
- Step back out of the way after each pull to avoid snow falling on you.
- Repeat as needed until you’ve cleared the roof.
Pantyhose With Calcium Chloride
| Difficulty: Beginner Cost: $25 to $165 Estimated Time: 2 hours or more (depending on the thickness of the ice dam) |
The pantyhose and calcium chloride method is a clever and effective way to remove ice dams. I like how simple and resourceful this is. Calcium chloride, a powerful ice-melting chemical, generates heat when it contacts water, allowing it to melt ice faster than other deicers.
You can find calcium chloride online and at most big box stores. Of course, pantyhose can be used or purchased new from any store with a women’s section.
What you need:
- Pantyhose
- Calcium chloride
- Rubber gloves
- Long sleeves
- Ladder
How to do it:
- Wear long sleeves and rubber gloves to protect your skin from irritation caused by calcium chloride. Be careful not to touch your face while handling it.
- Take an old pair of pantyhose and fill one leg with calcium chloride. Tie off the open end to keep the chemical contained.
- Use a ladder to gain access to the ice dam.
- Lay the filled pantyhose across the ice dam on your roof. Make sure it crosses the ice and slightly overhangs the gutter. This position allows the melting water to flow away from the roof.
FAQ About How to Remove Ice Dams From Gutters
Occasionally, you can wait patiently for the ice dams to gradually melt away from your roof without causing any harm to your home. However, more often than not, this approach may not be reliable, and the risk of damage remains uncertain. Determining the exact threshold of what your roof can endure in such situations is challenging.
To prevent ice dams and protect your home, you can use these methods:
• Install heat cables
• Ensure proper gutter slope
• Clean your gutters twice a year
• Improve attic insulation
Want to properly prepare your home for winter? Learn how with this handy guide: How to Winterize a House.
Find a Gutter Cleaning Expert Near You
I like the roof rake method because it’s simple, though I’ll admit it feels like a full-body workout. That said, you should choose the method that works best for you.
If the thought of being out in the cold dealing with this issue doesn’t appeal to you, Home Gnome can connect you with a local gutter cleaning professional. They ensure the job gets done effectively so you can enjoy winter without ice dam worries.
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Main Image Credit: PaulMassiePhoto / Adobe Stock Free / License
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