Ice dams are lumps of ice that form on gutters, eaves and valleys, that prevent melting snow from running down and away from the structure. As the snow melts, the water backs up behind the ice and seeps under shingles or tiles and eventually into your home causing a lot of damage. This type of damage can be prevented.

Tips to protect your home from ice dam damage:

• Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and natural debris.
• Use a snow rake or soft broom to clear snowfall from gutters, clear about three feet from the edge of the roof.
• Avoid using any sharp tools or ice picks on gutters or downspouts.
• To avoid getting hurt by falling icicles or snow,  don’t climb on your roof or work on a ladder beneath a roof that has large amounts of snow on it.

If damage is in progress immediate action needs to be taken:

• In an emergency situation where water is flowing into the house,  making channels through ice dams allows the water behind the dam to drain off the roof.  Using a hose with tap water on a warm day will do this job. Work upwards from the lower edge of the dam. The channel will become ineffective within days and is only a temporary fix.
• Fill the leg of a discarded pair of pantyhose with calcium chloride ice melter. lay the pantyhose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter. If necessary, use a long handled garden rake or broom to push it into position. The calcium chloride will melt through the snow and ice and create a channel for water to flow off the roof.

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