Flat Roof Ice Removal

During the winter months when temperatures drop and weather is often unpredictable, the potential for ice buildup on your roof increases. Ice may cause problems due to its weight and the fact that it can block important channels for rain and melting snow to flow away. A flat roof is more prone to problems with weight, and it is important to remove any large deposits of ice as soon as you can to avoid problems.

Snow shovel
Deicing cables
Hot water
Chemical deicer

Instructions

- 1
  Climb up onto the roof and shovel any loose snow onto the ground. Avoid getting too close to the edge, and watch out for people on the ground before throwing snow off the roof.
- 2
  Pour hot water or a non-corrosive deicer to clear a space roughly 2 feet around the drain on top of the roof.
- 3
  Lay down deicing cables in an "X" pattern from the drain to each corner of the roof. Run cables around any fixtures such as skylights or vents. Also, run cables around the perimeter of the roof, if it is safe to do so and you have enough. The cables will melt the ice down to the surface of the roof to create a drainage path.
- 4
  Pour a chemical deicer in the same pattern as the cables would go if no cables are available. Chemical deicers may have to be used more than once to melt the ice down to the roof surface.

How to Change Belts in My Sears Snow Thrower

How to Make Ice Melt Fastest

Snow Removal