Various hand tools such as ice picks or an awl can be used to chip away ice dams.
How to keep ice from building up in gutters.
Ice dams are thick ridges of ice that build up along the eaves or edges of your roof.
When there s snow sitting on the roof heat from the house melts it everywhere except along the edges.
Another way gutters are damaged from snow and ice is from bearing the excessive weight of a big snow fall.
The only problem with this method is that you cannot remove ice build up in your downspouts.
Finally you can remove ice by hand.
Don t do this unless the temperature is above 32 f 0 c in your.
To keep the snow on your roof from melting make sure your roof is well insulated and that warm air is not escaping.
Chipping the ice off with a hatchet or an ice pick can break or puncture the shingles.
This phenomenon is called an ice dam and according to the university of minnesota the water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls ceilings insulation and other areas.
Ice builds up in gutters because debris restricts winter water flow.
For every 10 feet 3 0 m the gutters should slope downward 1 2 inch 1 3 cm.
Have the necessary tools for this diy prevent an ice dam project lined up before you start you ll save time and frustration.
Ice may build up in your gutters if they don t slope down correctly toward the downspout.
Required tools for this prevent an ice dam project.
Another option is to spray the ice with warm water to melt a drainage channel into it.
This happens when ice backs up in your gutters and onto your roof causing water to back up behind the ice.
This in turn causes the water to sit in the gutters and with the onset of colder temperatures the water will then turn into ice and at that point you are in a world of hurt.
If your gutters don t have the proper slope hire a professional to adjust them or fix them yourself.
A good fall cleanout is key.
It melts the ice away without damaging the roofing.
Follow these simple steps from mr.
Ensure your gutters slope downward.
It all starts with preparation before the cold weather rolls in eliminating the need for extensive gutter repair in the spring.
Gutter cleaning is important to help prevent ice dams ice dams can form in your gutters when water is unable to leave the system due to blockages and other debris.
You need to exercise caution when chipping away ice so that you do not damage the gutters or roof tiles as you work.
Keeping your gutters clean and clear of debris goes a long way toward preventing the problem of ice build up in gutters and downspouts.
Icy gutters don t have to be part of the winter season at your home.
Calcium chloride found at most hardware stores is often used to prevent ice build up on concrete.
To prevent it from corroding any metal up there don t add it directly to the roof.
Meltwater drains down to the eaves or gutters where it refreezes and the accumulating ice makes a dam preventing additional snow melt from draining off.
You can learn more by reading the full article here.
