How to De-Ice a Gutter Dam

Ice Sock

• 1

  Cut the leg off an old pair of pantyhose.

• 2

  Fill the pantyhose leg with calcium chloride granules. You can buy them at most hardware stores.

• 3

  Tie the end of the pantyhose leg closed.

• 4

  Use a rake to push the pantyhose leg onto the roof vertically so one end of the leg hangs over the gutter.

• 5

  Repeat steps 1 through 5 every two to three feet along your gutter.

Heating Cables

• 6

  Lay out a board the length of your gutter. The board should not be any thicker than a 2x4, but it can be thinner.

• 7

  Attach an electric heating cable to the board using a staple gun and staples large enough to secure the cable without piercing the cable's safety coating. Staple the cable to the board every two feet, letting extra cable dangle down about two feet in between staples (like hanging a garland). Leave enough extra cable at the end that you will be able to plug it in once the board is on the roof.

• 8

  Tie a rope to each end of the board.

• 9

  Toss the two rope ends over the roof.

• 10

  Pull the rope ends, dragging the board up onto the roof until the board is just above the gutter and the electric heating cable loops are hanging over the gutter. This is easier with a second hand to help.

• 11

  Plug in the electric heating cord.