How Do You Get Rid Of Ice Dams In Gutters

There are several things you can do to avoid getting an ice dam or to reduce the risk of damage after one has formed but there s really only one cure.

How do you get rid of ice dams in gutters.

See below for a shopp. 1 rake the roof. You can also remove the ice dam by chopping with a hatchet using salt to melt the ice and placing electrical heat cables at the edge of the roof to continuously melt the ice. You may not be able to get rid of the ice dam but using this rake you can get rid of the snow that is accumulating behind the ice dam and brush it away to prevent any further water damage.

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams. Unfortunately the first method that homeowners tend to rely on when it comes to removing ice dams from the gutters is by picking at the ice with a chisel or hammer. If you have leakage from an ice dam and can t rake the snow off the roof the best way to get rid of the ice dam is to hire a roofing company to steam it off. Therefore you should take steps to prevent ice dams from building on your gutters.

To get rid of the ice dams long term insulate the attic so there is no heat loss. An ice pick or awl is best for this task though a crowbar or hatchet can work too. A combination of better sealing insulation and venting in the attic and eaves. Standing on a stabilized ladder or other sturdy object reach into the gutter and chip away at the ice buildup starting at the gutter and working backward up the roof being careful not to damage the roof itself.

A steamer is like a pressure washer except that the water is hot. If necessary use a long handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position. Here are the 5 ways to get rid of ice dams from gutters. It melts the ice away without damaging the roofing.

These three methods have some unnecessary risks.