How to Clean an Icy Roof

Icicles are an indication of a bigger problem.

Icicles hanging from your roof may add to the winter wonderland feel of your house, but lurking behind them is something potentially dangerous and destructive. An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms in the gutters or soffit on your roof. It can cause water to back up and then leak into the house, damaging your insulation, walls and ceilings. Preventing ice dams is a key step to preventing damage to your house or injury to someone below.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Broom or roof rake
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Position your ladder near the ice dams so that the ladder is stable and secure. Ask a friend to hold the ladder in place. Never go up onto a icy roof.

2. Remove as much snow as possible from the roof using a roof rake and broom. Pull the snow down the slope of the roof line to prevent damaging the shingles.

3. Break off as many icicles as you can with your hands. Make sure your friend below is out of the way before breaking the icicles. Use a hammer to break apart the bigger pieces.

4. Chip away at the ice dam with a chisel and hammer, creating a channel to allow water to flow through. Stop chipping the ice when you get close to the roofing.

5. Continue to remove snow whenever a new layer falls. Keeping the roof clear of snow is key to preventing an icy surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Removing ice dams is an extremely dangerous operation, so be sure to take safety precautions.

References

• Home Improvement Web: The Art Of Ice Dam Removal
• Structure Tech: How To Get Rid Of Ice Dams