There are times even your best efforts to stop an ice dam might not be enough. As a residential property owner, it is vital to know how to remove ice dams. The goal is to protect your house and roof from possible damage during the wintertime.
How to Remove Ice Dams? First, What Is an Ice Dam?
Ice dams could appear when water freezes into ice at the roof’s edge. Without accurate snow removal on your roof, the ice that cultivates might not let the melting snow drain off the roof. When the water can’t flow from the roof, it could collect under the roof shingles and get into your house.
Signs You Have Ice Dams
Most ice dams grow on the edge of your roof. Though they might also build in other places. The formation of an ice dam depends on the style, orientation, and slope of your roof. During the wintertime, be sure to watch the weather and your roof for indications of ice dam formations.
Check for wetness or water stains in your attic or along with the ceiling. Water stains or moisture could be a sign that an ice dam has developed, and water has gotten into the roof membrane.
Removing Ice Dams
Getting rid of an ice dam after seeing the signs can be crucial to help stop damage to your residence. One way to get rid of an ice dam is to melt it with calcium chloride. You can purchase these ice melt products from your local hardware store. Make sure not to use sodium chloride or rock salt, which can harm your roof.
Using a nylon stocking, put the calcium chloride product vertically over the ice dam so that it can melt a groove through the ice. You must cover plants and shrubs close to the downspouts or gutters with a tarp while treating your roof.
It is dangerous to use a ladder in icy and snowy conditions. If you can’t work safely on your roof, it is best to hire a roofing contractor. Contact us at Grand Island Roofing to get rid of any ice dams, keeping you and your home in one piece.
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