A roof rake can be used to help clear gutters of snow and ice allowing for proper drainage that protects the safety of both your roofing and your foundation.
How to get ice off roof.
Try one or more of the following steps to help prevent ice dams from forming.
Do avoid overhead power lines.
Avoid using salt or calcium chloride to melt snow off the roof as they are very corrosive and the runoff can also damage grass and plants.
Insulate the living space well enough to prevent conduction and convection of heat.
Clip a snow melting system to your roof to resist ice formation.
Rake the lower three to four feet of your roof after a snowfall.
Eliminate its fuel source if left alone the ice dam will continue to be built up by the snow and ice up on your.
Avoid using a metal rake as this can scrape your roof and cause damage.
An ice pick or awl is best for this task though a crowbar or hatchet can work too.
Seal all points where warm air leaks from the living space into the spaces immediately below the roof sheathing.
Stand as far back from the edge of the roof as possible so snow or ice doesn t fall on top of you as you re raking.
Run the heating elements back and forth in a zigzag above the gutters.
Alternatively you can fill paper bags with calcium chloride and toss them up on to the roof just above the ice dam.
For the diy ice removal there are roof salt products that can help thaw ice hergott says.
If you re doing diy work such as raking the roof or gutters be careful to avoid hitting any electrical lines.
Never use rock salt for this as it will do more damage to your roof than it will to the ice.
You can pick up a lightweight roof rake with a 20 ft.
Remove snow and ice dam from the roof this will eliminate the main ingredients necessary for the formation of another ice dam and will usually stop the water from coming in within an hour.
Then plug the system into a nearby outlet to melt away the snow.
5 tips for removing ice dams from your roof 1.
Use a chemical.