How to Make Roof Salt Blocks

Break up roof ice formations with homemade salt blocks.

The snow and ice on your roof pose a serious problem to your safety and the integrity of your home. When the snow and ice on your roof begin to melt, they slide down toward the colder eaves, where they refreeze and create ice dams. If left untreated, the weight of these dams can eventually cause the eaves to break or wreak other serious damage to your roofing and home. You can make your own ice melt blocks to toss on your roof and melt the snow before ice dams form.

Things You'll Need

• 1-lb. rock salt
• Plastic bucket
• 1 cup dolomitic lime
• Rubber gloves
• Small plastic bowls
• Plastic cling wrap
• Newspaper

Instructions

1. Pour 1 pound of rock salt into a plastic bucket.

2. Add 1 cup dolomitic lime to the plastic bucket. Don’t used products labeled “builder’s lime” or “hydrated lime.” These are used in construction and not suitable for this application.

3. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and pour 1 cup of water into the mixture. Add more water, 1/4-cup at a time, until the mixture is a paste-like, moldable consistency.

4. Scoop the mixture up and gently squeeze out any excess water.

5. Line three to four small plastic bowls with plastic cling wrap. Scoop the mixture from the bucket and place it into the lined bowls. There might not be enough product to top off all the bowls, which is acceptable.

6. Set the bowls in a cool, dry place and wait for the mixture to harden completely. Depending on environmental factors, this process might take up to two weeks.

7. Turn the bowls over on top of a newspaper and gently tap the bottom to dislodge the hardened salt blocks. As necessary, toss the blocks onto the roof to melt the snow and ice.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using the homemade salt blocks on a metal roof as rock salt is caustic and will cause damage.