A snow-covered roof and dangling icicles may look cozy and picturesque – but they could be a sign of ice dams, which can cause big damage to your roof, gutters, siding and even the interior of your home.
What is an Ice Dam?
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form along the eaves of your roof and prevent melting snow from draining away. Water that gets trapped behind the dam backs up and can lift shingles, loosen gutters and downspouts, and drain into your house.
Removing Ice Dams
If ice dams form on your roof after a heavy snow, you can apply an ice melt product, such as calcium chloride, to lower the freezing point of the ice and melt it away. Prevent ice dams from re-forming by using a special, long-handled tool called a roof rake to remove snow from the edge of your roof while standing on the ground. (You should never climb onto the roof to remove snow.)
Preventing Ice Dams
Of course, it’s better to stop ice dams from forming in the first place. Installing Frost King’s Roof & Gutter De-Icing Kits keeps melt water flowing through gutters and downspouts — even in frigid, below-zero temperatures. Click here for a step-by-step instruction video for proper installation.
Need a game plan to protect your roof this winter? Play our “Stop the Freezies” game and you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card for Frost King products at Home Depot.
