Removing Snow From a Roof's Top Deck

A roof deck is a nice perk during the warmer seasons, but it can be a snow trap during the winter season. Unlike a traditional sloped roof, the ice and snow will simply sit and accumulate on a roof deck. If too much snow has accumulated, this can be dangerous for your roof -- causing leaks or even a collapse. One way to remove the snow is to shovel it off, if possible. This can be pretty dangerous though. Another option is to create a snow and ice melter.

Pantyhose
Calcium chloride
Ladder

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the leg of a pair of pantyhose with calcium chloride pellets.
- 2
  Tie the leg off every 5 inches, creating separate compartments of calcium chloride pellets up the leg.
- 3
  Repeat for the second leg, and tie the pantyhose off at the waist. This is one snow and ice melter.
- 4
  Repeat steps 1 through 3 so that you’ll have one snow and ice melter for every 5 to 6 feet of the snow- and/or ice-covered roof.
- 5
  Access the top deck via ladder, or door, if applicable. Place the ice melters every 5 feet. The legs should be 180 degrees from each other (creating a straight line), with one foot hanging off the edge of the roof or deck, over a gutter if possible. The compartments of calcium chloride will slowly melt the snow and ice on the roof, and the runoff will trickle down the gutters and/or drains.

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