How to Eliminate an Ice Dam on the Roof

Ice dams form when a ridge of ice is created along the edge of a sloped roof, damming up water behind it and leading to problems from water damage. An ice dam restricts water from draining properly. Water soaks through the shingles and floods into the home. Use an ice dam sock to cut a channel through the ice dam, allowing water to run off the roof and onto the ground.

Ice dam sock
Rope, at least 20 feet
Ice melt

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the commercial ice dam sock with ice melt. The ice dam sock is a porous tube from 3 to 6 feet long with a tie on one end. Pack in the ice melt loosely so the tube will conform to the shape of the roof.
- 2
  Tie the ice dam sock securely closed, then affix the rope to the tied end.
- 3
  Stand below the ice dam with the rope in one hand and the ice dam sock in the other. Swing the sock up as high as you can so it lands several feet above the ice dam.
- 4
  Pull the rope to guide the ice dam sock over the ice dam. Maneuver the sock until it's draped over the ice dam, and the tied end is touching the gutter. The sock should be mostly vertical to the rooftop gutter. Drop the rope and wait.
- 5
  Check on the ice dam every 20 minutes or so. When the ice dam sock has melted a portion of the ice dam down, you should see a channel where water can flow through and into the gutter. Repeat this process with other areas of a large ice dam or move to another part of the roof with an ice dam.

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