How to Clear an Ice Dam From My Roof

Create Grooves

• 1

  Shovel off the snow around the ice dam with a shovel or roof rake, working carefully to avoid causing damage to the shingles. Avoid walking on the roof, if possible, since the roof is more brittle when cold.

• 2

  Chip away at one or two spots in the ice dam to create grooves. Use the edge of the shovel to break apart pieces of ice until the groove is deep enough to allow water to start to drain through the groove.

• 3

  Check the drainage daily and create more grooves, if necessary, to effectively keep the water draining.

Pantyhose

• 4

  Shovel the snow off the roof and around the ice dam with a shovel or roof rake.

• 5

  Fill one leg from a pantyhose with calcium chloride snow melt.

• 6

  Set the pantyhose across the ice dam so it hangs over the gutter edge. The ice should melt within about 12 to 24 hours.

• 7

  Remove the pantyhose when the ice melts.