How to Fix an Ice Jam on a Roof

During the winter in the northern United States, snow and ice storms can be the norm for weeks. After a day or two above freezing, the built-up snow on your roof may begin to melt, then refreeze in the gutters when the temperature drops at night. After a few days of this, you can have a ridge of ice at the edge of your roof, known as an ice jam or ice dam. An ice dam prevents melted snow from dripping off the roof. Melt an ice dam safely to remove dripping water and save your roof from costly repairs.

Knee-high nylon
Scissors
Funnel
Calcium chloride ice melter
Long-handled rake or hoe

Instructions

- 1
  Open the leg of a knee-high nylon, or cut the leg from a pair of old pantyhose with scissors. Place the tip of a funnel into the nylon opening.
- 2
  Pour calcium chloride ice melter into the nylon. Do not use regular salt ice melter, as this can damage shingles. Stop filling the nylon when you have a free 3 inches at the top of the leg.
- 3
  Tie a knot in the top of the nylon leg. Pull the knot tightly to secure the contents.
- 4
  Place the filled nylon leg on your roof. Position the leg so that it lays vertically on the roof, with the toe lying across the gutter and the top of the leg pointing toward the tip of the roof. Use a hoe or rake to help position the nylon leg, as standing on snow and ice on a ladder would be unsafe. The ice melter will melt through the ice dam and create a channel for dripping water to follow off the roof.

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