How to Keep Water From Getting in the House When You Have an Ice Dam

An ice dam forms on the eaves of a house, creating a solid ridge of ice that prevents snowmelt from draining off the roof properly. Water is trapped behind the dam and backs up underneath the shingles. If you notice an ice dam forming, take immediate steps to open up holes for water to drain through before you experience water damage.

Nylon pantyhose
Scissors
Ice melt
Scoop
Wire tie
15-foot rope

Instructions

- 1
  Cut one leg off the nylon pantyhose and discard or save the rest.
- 2
  Scoop ice melt into the open end of the stocking until it is almost full. Tie a knot in the end and reinforce it with the wire tie. Affix the end of the rope to the tied end of the snow melt sock.
- 3
  Toss the snow melt sock onto the roof, several feet higher than the ice dam. Pull on the rope to position the ice melt sock over the ice dam, with the end of the sock draped over the eave.
- 4
  Leave the ice sock on top of the ice dam for several hours. Check it periodically to ensure that it is melting down into the ice, creating a valley where water can flow out and into the gutter. Reposition the ice melt sock as needed to cut channels into the ice.
- 5
  Leave the ice melt sock on the roof throughout the winter so that ice dams will not form completely and therefore will not cause water to back up on the roof. As the ice melt dissolves, pull the sock down and refill it.

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