With seasonal allure and landscapes that can only be described as stunning, Paradise presents as a nearly perfect place to live. Yet, as many homeowners have learned, even this haven is not immune to the threats posed by the buildup of snow and ice during the frigid winter months. Ice dams, a common problem for homeowners, can lead to extensive (and expensive) damage if not handled swiftly and correctly. The most effective ways of dealing with ice dams are steamed (using either hose or generator), mechanical removal, and chemical de-icing (using an environmentally safe method to prevent damage to plants and shrubs). These all have their pros and cons, which this article will elaborate upon. Yet not dealing with ice dams, by these or other methods, can lead to some dire consequences for your home.
The safest and most effective way to get rid of ice dams is usually considered to be the steam method. A roofing professional using this technique will set up a staging area so that a high-pressure steam generator can be used safely and effectively. The generator must be operated by a trained person, not only because steam is hot and potentially dangerous, but also because the technique itself has some tricks to it. The use of steam in roofing work is not common, so while the methods and materials may be well-known to a roofing crew, the actual use of high-temperature steam is an unusual sight for most homeowners.
Applying special ice melt products designed to break down the ice gradually is the first and most basic layer of the chemical de-icing approach. Actually, this approach can be outlined in three basic steps. In the initial step, we apply the ice melt product as a basic surface treatment onto the topside of the ice dam. A surface application may not seem like a very effective way of accomplishing anything, but it really shouldn’t be underestimated. We are essentially creating a situation where the ice dam will begin to melt from the lateral top surface down toward the interface with the roof. If all things were equal, an ice melt product applied in the manner outlined here would be a way of achieving a surface layer of a temperature above 32ºF (0ºC) and, consequently, a way of achieving a situation where the ice would begin to melt, in essence, from the top down.
