How to Defrost Ice out of Gutters

Melt winter's ice and icicles with calcium chloride.

If you live in a cold, wintry climate, you have probably experienced ice dams in your gutters. Melting snow from the roof that freezes in the gutters can damage gutters or leak into the roof because water can't find a channel to escape. To resolve the problem, you need to remove the ice from the gutters. Trying to chip it away can be dangerous and is not recommended unless you hire a professional.

Things You'll Need

• Old pantyhose
• Scissors
• Ladder
• Calcium chloride ice melter
• Salt (made for ice)

Instructions

1. Cut the legs off old pairs of pantyhose. Make sure there are no major holes or tears in the hose.

2. Fill the pantyhose legs with an ice-melting product containing calcium chloride, which is available at hardware and home improvement stores. Tie a knot at the top of each leg to create a closed tube.

3. Lay the tubes on the roof across the frozen gutter or lay them in the gutter if the ice blockage is significant. The calcium chloride will slowly melt the ice, defrosting the gutter. Remove the pantyhose tubes when the gutter is defrosted.

4. Spread salt around the roof line and in the gutter to help prevent the formation of additional ice.

Tips & Warnings

• If your experience severe ice formation in your gutters on a regular basis, consult a professional to discuss options. You may be able to improve the insulation in the attic or add warming cables along the gutters that will help prevent ice buildup.

• Never walk on a frozen, snow-covered roof. When using a ladder to reach the gutter, make sure you have a stable, ice-free surface on which to place it. Do not chip the ice out of the gutters; doing so can cause injury or damage if large chunks of ice are displaced.

References

• "This Old House"; Quick Ice Dam Cure; Roy Barnhart
• The Home Improvement Web: Removing Ice Dams and Roof Ice Build-up
• "Cleveland"; Big Thaw Leads to Big Problems With Ice Dams; Roy Barnhart; Feb. 2, 2009