How to Remove Ice Dams in Gutters
Ice dams are frozen water buildups that can occur in rain gutters during freezing winter days. They can block a whole gutter and hang over it in long and thick icicles. Because of their spike-like shape, these ice dam icicles present a danger to anyone who walks underneath them. It is best to remove ice dams from your gutters as soon as possible. If you start removing the ice dams early, you will prevent larger and more dangerous buildups that can damage the gutters and roofing or even hurt someone. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Chisel
- Hammer
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Instructions
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Place a ladder against the house and near the ice dams. Make sure that the ladder is high enough but more importantly that it's secure and stable. Never climb or stand on a roof covered with ice and snow.
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Brush away the excess loose snow from the ice dam and all around it too. Use a roof rake for this job and be sure to stand securely on the ladder while working. Pull the snow downward, to the ground and in the direction of the slope. Pulling the snow across may damage your roofing and break your shingles.
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Break off smaller portions of the ice dam with a chisel and a hammer. Make sure to chip only really small parts of ice. Breaking odd large portions can easily damage your gutters or roofing. Be patient and work slowly, one section at the time. If you want to pour warm water on the ice dam and melt it, you only need to make a thin long hole for the water to rush through. In any case, don't apply too much force as your gutter is already under great pressure due to the weight of the ice dam.
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Pour water over your gutters with a hose. If the chisel didn't remove the entire ice dam, hosing the ice dam may be necessary. No matter how hot the water is, make sure to wait until the outside temperature isn't too cold, as it will cool down and freeze the water so fast that your ice dam will only grow bigger.
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Keep the gutters clean once you've removed the ice dam. Hose down any ice, dirt and leaves from the inside and try to keep the gutters relatively clean during the whole winter.
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Tips & Warnings
When it comes to ice dams in gutters, nothing is more important than prevention. Keep your gutters clean at all times and in all seasons because ice and snow are less likely to form buildups in perfectly clean gutters.
Instead of a sculptor chisel, you can use an ordinary flat head screwdriver.
Never walk on a roof that is covered with snow, no matter what.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit stalactites dans une gouttière image by emipoca from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Fill an ice melt sock with icemeltcrystals and gutter ice is gone.
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eabrennan
Jan 28, 2011
Covers for gutters, accompanied by heat tape that is connected to an electrical outlet will keep the ice from forming.
