An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms when snow melts, runs down your roof, and refreezes near the edge. Although they look pretty, they can cause significant damage to your roof by tearing out gutters and loosening shingles. The following brief guide explains how to safely remove ice dams and prevent them from occurring. 

How to Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams form when the hot air in your home rises through the roof and melts the snow on top. You can avoid this by blowing cold air through your attic, so the outside never gets warm enough to melt the snow. Improving your attic’s insulation will also keep heat from escaping outside. Proper attic ventilation will serve a similar purpose by keeping the top room of your home cool. 

Another preventive measure to avoid ice dams is to remove snow from your roof before it melts. Purchase a rake specially designed for roof snow removal. These allow you to stand on the ground while gently pulling the snow toward you onto the ground. Do this very carefully so you do not damage your shingles in the process. Finally, you can purchase heat cables to place on top of your shingles that melt all snow and ice so dams won't form.

How to Remove Ice Dams

One of the most effective ways to remove ice dams that have already formed on your home is to melt them with calcium chloride. Fill a nylon stocking with the de-icer and position it on the roof so it lays perpendicular to the edge and hangs over the gutters. This will quickly melt through the ice dam, creating a channel for other melting snow to exit without freezing. Calcium chloride can damage plants, so cover any landscaping directly below. 

You can also manually chip away the ice dams. An ice pick or awl works best for this task. Do not attempt to break the ice that is directly above you. Use a stabilized ladder and gently chip away at the ice buildup, taking care not to damage the roof. You only need to remove enough ice to create a channel for melted snow to run through. Finally, you can hire a professional service that uses steaming equipment to melt the ice dams from your gutters and roof edges.

If ice dams have damaged your roof or gutters, contact JF Roofing and Seamless Gutters in Belleville, IL. This company offers top-quality repair and installation services to homeowners in the area. Visit their website to learn more about their roofing services, or call (618) 604-3166 for a free quote.