Will This Trick Work To Eliminate Ice Dams In Western New York?

This winter has been particularly cold in Western New York. With all the freezing and thawing, you may have experienced some ice dams on your roof. If so, how do you deal with them to avoid water coming into your house?

What is an ice dam?

Ice dams form when snow melts on your roof, and the resulting water refreezes in your gutters. The ice then builds up and prevents water from flowing off the roof. Instead, it can pool up behind the dam and possibly get under your shingles. If left untreated, this water can then find its way into your house.

Are there ways to avoid an ice dam?

The best way to deal with an ice dam is to avoid getting one in the first place. One of the biggest causes of ice dams is when heat escapes from your home, which melts the snow that has accumulated on your roof. So the two best things you can do to avoid them are to make sure snow doesn't accumulate on your roof, and keep as much heat in your house as possible. Be sure to use a roof rake to clear snow from the shingles and avoid the opportunity of a buildup. Also, make sure your house is well-insulated in the attic to keep the heat from going through your roof.

Read More: New York State Homeowners Facing Ice Nightmare

Can you do anything about an ice dam once you get one?

One of the first things people think to do is to go up with a hammer and start smashing the ice. Most experts will tell you to avoid that. Not only could you cause damage to your roof or gutters, if the ice falls in a big chunk it could cause you injury too.

There are companies that will come to your house and get rid of the ice dam with steam. However, there's a trick that some people claim works to eliminate them. It involves some stockings or a sock, and some roof melt (or calcium chloride).

You fill the stocking with the calcium chloride and throw it up onto the roof right where the ice dam is. The goal is to melt the ice just in that area and give the melted water a channel to leave the roof.

We aren't professionals and haven't tried it ourselves, so do this at your own risk. Have you ever tried it? Does this method work on our rough Buffalo snow?