How to Safely Remove an Ice Dam Off a Roof

Low Slope Roofs or Flat Roofs

• 1

  Place your ladder far away from the portion of the roof where the roof dam is located. Climb the ladder up to the roof and walk to a point directly above the ice dam. Do not place the ladder near the ice dam because setting it close to the ice may disrupt it causing a dangerous avalanche.

• 2

  Sweep off the snow and loose ice from the roof with your broom. Work toward the edge with your broom. Attempted to apply just enough force to push the snow and ice off of the roof so not to damage the shingles and gutters.

• 3

  Gently tap the remaining ice on the roof with your sledgehammer. Try to crack the ice and not completely shatter it. Remove the ice with your broom or your hands.

Steep Slope Roofs

• 4

  Extend the roof rake to a point beyond the ice damn on the roof as you stand on the ground.

• 5

  Push the snow and ice toward you and the ground with the rake. Do this slowly to not severely disrupt the ice and snow, causing damage to the roof.

• 6

  Place your ladder near the ice dam in a location you can reach it. Gently tap the remaining ice on the roof with your sledgehammer. Try to crack the ice and not completely shatter it. Remove the ice with your hands.