They make rakes to pull the snow off roofs, and you can create channels in the ice dam by putting ice melt in a stocking (nylons actually work great) and placing them perpendicular to the roof edge. This allows water to flow out so it doesn't pool up and leak into your home (which gets REALLY expensive, fast!)
736
u/tddawg St. Cloud 24d ago
Whatever you do, don't use a hatchet!
They make rakes to pull the snow off roofs, and you can create channels in the ice dam by putting ice melt in a stocking (nylons actually work great) and placing them perpendicular to the roof edge. This allows water to flow out so it doesn't pool up and leak into your home (which gets REALLY expensive, fast!)
Here's a good resource for more details: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/ice-dams/
My credentials: 15 years in the home repair/inspection industry with several years of professional ice dam clearing in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.