How to Keep the Roof Edge From Icing Up

Add a layer of insulation with the correct R-value to the home's attic to prevent warm air from rising through the roof and melting the bottom of the snow layer. Cut the attic insulation to fit the spaces with a utility knife. Insulation salespeople can determine the correct R-value based on your region.

Seal the attic doors and areas around pipes with insulation or weather stripping to prevent warm air from rising into the attic. Keeping the roof cold helps to prevent ice on the roof.

Move insulation or items blocking the soffit, gable or ridge vents in the attic. Attics require cold airflow to equalize the outside and inside air temperature, which prevents snow from melting and forming an ice dam.

Clean the gutters before the weather turns cold to remove any debris that will block the flow of water. Blocked water freezes and backs up onto the roof edge creating an ice dam.

Place clips 2 feet from the gutter line up the roof. Drive galvanized nails into the top of each clip to secure the clip to the roof. Lay heat cables, beginning at the electrical receptacle, in a steep S-pattern over the roof''s slope from inside the gutter up to the clip. Secure the heat cable to the clip to hold it in place. Heat cables melt tracks through the snow and ice to prevent ice dams on the roof's edges.

Pull snow off the roof with a roof rake to prevent the snow from melting and refreezing.

Lean a ladder against the house and climb the ladder to access the edge of the roof. Place calcium chloride tablets every 12 to 18 inches across the roof, beginning 6 to 8 inches from the gutter and ending 6 to 8 feet up the slope of the roof. Calcium chloride melts the snow and ice and allows it to flow off the roof.

Install sheet-metal ice belts from the gutter line 2 feet up the roof and running from edge to edge. Secure the ice belts to the roof with nails to prevent the ice belt from sliding off the roof. Ice belts heat up with the sun and promote melting of ice. Ice belts are also slippery and allow the snow and ice to slide off the roof.