Removing Ice Hanging on a Roof

Ice hanging from the roof, known as icicles, can indicate a possible ice dam building up on the roof. These form along the edge of the roof and prevent melting snow and ice from dripping to the ground. As ice and snow melts, a pool of water forms on the roof. The trapped water will seep into the roof's interior, insulation and the home's walls. Promptly removing the icicles and parts of the ice dam will help prevent damage to the house by permitting the melting snow to run freely off the roof. A heavy ice dam will protrude and hang from the roof's edge. It can put strain on the gutters and the roof's structure.

Ladder
Roof rake
Sledgehammer
De-icer
Gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Place a ladder beside the house. Make sure the ladder is secure before climbing it. Climb the ladder and evaluate the roof and the ice buildup.
- 2
  Climb down the ladder and move it away from the house. Grab a roof rake. Stand away from the roof's edge so falling snow and ice do not hit you. A roof rake has a 15-foot handle so you can safely remove the snow buildup from the ground without climbing on a ladder. Pull the snow down off the roof with the roof rake. Leave a thin layer of snow on the roof. Chip the icicles from the roof using the roof rake. Break off all icicles hanging from the gutters. The weight of the icicles can damage the gutters
- 3
  Place a ladder beside the house. Climb the ladder. Break away a section of the ice dam overhang with a sledgehammer. Lightly tap the ice with the sledgehammer repeatedly until it breaks away to form a groove. Spray a non-corrosive de-icer into the gap that has been chipped away in the ice dam. Only spray a light coating of the de-icer into the gap. Make a gap in the ice on the edge of the roof every three feet. The gaps will allow the melting water to flow freely from the roof.

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