A Solution to the Problem of Ice Buildup Tearing Off Rain Gutters

Heating Cords

• Heating cords are insulated wires that plug in to a standard outlet and can be safely placed in your gutters and along the edge of your roof. When the ice begins to back-up in your gutters, you can turn on the heating cords and they will melt the excess ice while creating a path for the water that is coming from the melting snow on the roof to safely follow through the gutters. Heating cords do draw a significant amount of energy, so you should not run them for more than a day or two at a time. You will also want to put heating cords on a separate circuit to avoid overloading your home's electrical system. Heating cords can be purchased at any home improvement store.

Snow Rake

• A snow rake is a small plastic snow shovel on the end of a very long handle. In most cases, the handle will come in segments that can be added to give extra length. It allows you to remove snow from your roof without having to climb up on your roof. Because an ice dam is caused by snow that melts and runs down into the gutters, one way to prevent ice dams is to use a snow rake and remove the snow as it falls on your roof. Avoid dragging chunks of ice with the snow rake as that will damage your roof.

Salt

• When the ice builds up in your gutters, it closes off any way for the water that is draining from the roof to escape. This water is what winds up getting behind your roof's ice shield and leaking into your home. A homemade remedy to ice dams is to fill women's nylons with salt or any ice melting material, and lay the nylons in the gutters. Do not allow the ice melting material to come into contact with the shingles as they will weaken the shingles. Change the nylons once every two weeks during the heavy snowing seasons for the best results.

Long-Term Solution

• The long-term solution to ice dams is a two-part process that involves preventing the warm air from your furnace from getting to your roof, according to Timothy Larson, et al., writing on the University of Minnesota Extension website. Sealing the ceilings in the top floor of your home with caulk will help to prevent the warm air from escaping up into your roof. To help further prevent the heat from escaping, have your insulation checked by a professional and have ineffective insulation replaced. Add insulation to areas where it is needed.