How to Remove and Prevent Ice Dams on Your Roof

Winter weather is a wonder to behold. But as beautiful as the snow is, it can cause problems for homeowners. Ice dams can form on your roof and cause severe property damage if left unchecked. In this guide, we’ll explain how to remove ice dams and how to keep them from forming in the future. In this case, a good defense is the best offense.  

What Is an Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a collection of ice that forms on the eaves of your roof. Ice dams are problematic for homeowners because they prevent water from draining through gutters and downspouts. Consequently, the dam gets larger and larger with ever-longer icicles forming and pulling on the gutters.

Ice dams develop when snow collects on a roof. Warm temperatures inside the attic melt the bottom layer of snow, causing water to drain toward the gutters. As water reaches the eaves, however, cool air refreezes the water before it can drain. That ice continues to build as the process of thawing and freezing continues until you have an ice dam that blocks proper drainage.

Why Ice Dams Cause Problems 

Ice dams can cause roof damage and property damage that can lead to the development of mold and mildew, in addition to damaging the interior of the home. As ice dams grow, they get heavy and can also bend or pull gutters away from the frame, leading to drainage issues. At the same time, the dam prevents water from draining, trapping it on the roof. Pooling water can loosen shingles, soften wood, and lead to roof leaks.

Signs of Ice Dams 

Icicles alone don’t always indicate a problem. If you know the signs of an ice dam, you can put a stop to the problem before it causes major issues. But you will have to keep an eye on your roof and snow levels until the weather warms. Keep an eye out for the following signs to find issues early.

• Icicles on eaves and gutters. Small icicles hanging from your gutters don’t always suggest an ice dam, but if they get large and heavy, you could have a dam forming.

• Snow on the sides of the roof. If you notice snow toward the sides and edges of your roof but not at the top, heat from your home could be melting the snow at the peak.

• Ice on exterior walls.  Ice along an exterior wall could mean an ice dam is causing water to cascade over the gutters, where it freezes once it reaches colder air.

• Water damage inside your home. Ice dams hold water against your roof, which can lead to roof leaks. If you have water spots on your ceilings in the winter, you might have an issue with an ice dam.

How to Remove Ice Dams

There are a few different remedies for ice dams. The best way for DIYers to remove ice dams is with salt socks that melt the forming ice. However, prevention using a roof rake to remove snow before dams form is a better option, as it won’t damage or discolor your roof like salt solutions will.

Be cautious and use safety measures like wearing appropriate winter clothing and gloves and always removing snow from the area when working in winter conditions.

Use a Roof Rake to Remove Snow 

Use a telescoping roof rake to remove snow from the roof. If you are wondering when to remove snow from the roof, the answer is as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not pull the rake across your shingles, as this could damage them. Depending on how much snow has accumulated, you may have to use the rake to remove snow from the eaves and work your way to the ridge. With less snow, you can start at the top and work your way down.

Accumulated snow contributes to ice dams in two ways. First, it is the source of the water that melts to create ice dams. Second, a layer of snow can insulate the layers underneath, causing more snow in the bottom layers to melt and contribute to the ice dam. Removing snow right after it falls can prevent the dam from forming in the first place.

Use Hot Water

If you are wondering how to melt ice in gutters, hot water is one of the simplest methods. The hot water method can help with an ice dam in the early stages of formation when ice is first forming in your gutters. Clear snow from the ground under the eaves and use a ladder to access the gutter. Carefully pour hot water directly onto the ice dam and into the downspout to melt the ice.

This method is not a long-term solution and is not practical if you have a large ice dam, but it can be done in a pinch. Work with a partner to keep the ladder steady and to help you avoid spilling the water, and always wear rubber-soled shoes to avoid slipping.

Use Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride, or ice melt tablets, as you may have heard them called, melts ice at temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid applying directly to the roof, put the calcium chloride inside a pair of pantyhose or a tube sock and lay it on the roof so it is perpendicular to and over the top of the gutters.

The calcium chloride will melt the ice and create a channel through which water can drain off the roof. You may need several of these homemade melting devices on the roof to remove enough ice for the water to drain properly.

While calcium chloride is an option to prevent and get rid of ice dams, it is not usually the best method because it can corrode nails and discolor your roof; however, when other methods are unavailable, this one will work. You should, however, hire a professional at some point to address the underlying problem, usually by taking care of poor insulation in your attic.

Install Roof Heating Cables

Roof heating cables use electricity to warm up your roof, which helps prevent ice dams from forming. You can install these as a DIYer, although we recommend having a professional roofer put them up for proper installation and safety.

Heating cables can be dangerous, so we don’t recommend using them as a permanent solution. However, they can help avoid ice dams in a pinch and could prevent issues until you’re able to address the underlying problem. Roof heating cable installation costs around $1,400, on average, but this can pale in comparison to the property damage they can help prevent.

How to Melt Ice Dams From Inside

Ice dams are difficult to treat from the inside of your home, but lowering the temperature in your attic can prevent the snow from melting in the first place, which should help reduce the risk of large ice dams forming. If your attic is heated, consider lowering the heat or turning it off completely. If you have plumbing running through your attic, make sure you set the heat no lower than 55 degrees to avoid freezing and burst pipes.

If heat is escaping up into your attic from your living space, you can also temporarily install some attic insulation to help keep your attic cool. Consider laying down insulation rolls or batts over the ceiling joists that create the floor of your attic. You can even double up by placing a new layer over existing insulation for better results.

Once the warmer weather hits, make sure to have a professional come in to install permanent insulation, which could include blown-in insulation or foam insulation. An expert will be able to address any air leaks that batt or roll insulation might not treat.

What to Avoid When Removing Ice Dams

Ice dam removal has the potential to cause damage to your home. A few precautions can keep your gutter and roof intact for many winters to come.

Do Not Manually Remove Ice Dams

Do not directly pull or push on the ice dam with your hands or a tool. In some cases, you can use a snow rake to help with removal, but only after softening the ice with hot water or calcium chloride. Manual removal often results in gutter or roof damage, especially if you try breaking up the ice that has formed.

A better option is to hire a local professional snow removal company that is equipped with safety gear and experience. Professional ice dam removal can also involve steamers that slowly and safely melt the dam without causing damage to your roof.

Do Not Use Chemicals or Direct Salt Applications 

Salt and chemicals can damage a house by causing rust or staining. When either salt or chemicals get washed down the downspout (which they eventually will), it can kill the grass and plants below. Opt for ice melt contained in something like an old pantyhose that prevents the ice melt from washing away with the runoff.

How to Prevent Ice Dams From Forming 

While some roofers claim you can never truly prevent ice dams if you live in a wintry climate, there are some proven techniques that roofers and DIYers use that can help and potentially solve your problem permanently. Try one of these methods:

• Upgrade your attic insulation. Have a professional install new insulation in your attic. This can prevent heat from your living space from working its way through the attic and melting snow on your roof. In some cases, this can be a permanent solution.

• Improve ventilation. Have a professional install roof vents that help regulate the temperature inside your attic. Couple this with new attic insulation to avoid hurting your home’s efficiency.

• Install an ice belt. An ice belt is a piece of metal roofing just above your gutters that sheds snow more quickly, which can prevent it from melting and refreezing.

• Keep your gutters clean. Clogged gutters can slow down drainage from melting snow on your roof, contributing to ice dam formation. At the end of the fall season, be sure to clean out your gutters of any leaves, tree debris, or shingle grit to avoid clogs.

• Consider a professional de-icing system. Professional roofers can install de-icing systems under your roof—often during roof installation—to warm the material above and prevent ice from forming. These can be expensive, but they can serve as a permanent solution in areas where ice dams are a recurring issue.

• Seal your HVAC ducts. Have a professional test your HVAC ducts and seal any that run through your attic. This will limit how much hot air escapes into the space, which, in turn, reduces the risk of ice dams forming.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Remove Ice Dams

Removing ice dams costs an average of around $1,200, so you stand to save quite a bit of money by doing the work yourself. However, working on ladders in wet winter conditions is dangerous, so we recommend hiring a professional if it’s within your budget.

The best way to remove ice dams is to use steam to melt the ice, as this won’t damage or discolor your roof. Unfortunately, the steam equipment professionals use is expensive and often inaccessible to DIYers, so your best bet is to hire a local roof cleaner with the tools and experience needed for safe removal.

DIY solutions also aren’t permanent, so even if you do save money up front by tackling the project yourself, we strongly recommend hiring an expert once the winter season is over to address your attic insulation and take other necessary preventative measures.