Watch Your Roofs

ishoot308 · 02-01-2009, 10:14 PM

Took a snowmobile ride out to the camp today On Welch Island. Saw a number of camps with a LOT of snow on the roof. With the impending wet snow or rain forecast for mid week, it may be wise to do what you can to remove some of the snow.

Just an fyi..

Dan

dpg · 02-02-2009, 11:59 AM

I have a stained ceiling in Mass thanks to the ice dams.

GTO · 02-02-2009, 01:56 PM

is it safe to put ice melt on ice dams to speed up the melting? Will it do any damage to the shingles?

trfour · 02-02-2009, 06:01 PM

I have used ice-melt in an emergency at the camp before I installed a heat tape with a thermostat that took care of the problem. There was just a gravel driveway in the run-off area, no shrubs or flower bead.

Kamper · 02-02-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

is it safe to put ice melt on ice dams to speed up the melting? Will it do any damage to the shingles?

It might shorten their life-span so instead of replacing the roof after 30 years you do it after 20, maybe. As opposed to water damage now.

My neighbor did it last year but it is not his usual habit either. The roof looked ok all summer.

Good luck!

fatlazyless · 02-03-2009, 08:51 AM

Here's what worked good for me.....boil up a big tea kettle of water....cliimb up to the ice dam....and slowly pour out the hot water....pry off a a one foot section of ice dam with a snow shovel. The hot water loosens the ice's grip to the roof.....it worked twice for me.

It's brains over brawn......who'd a thunk?

SIKSUKR · 02-03-2009, 10:49 AM

I see very little harm in using icemelt a few times during the year.There are products like manesium that more gentle than salt.You really only need to melt in a few spots to allow the water a path to run off.The whole roof edge does not need to be melted.

hazelnut · 02-03-2009, 01:30 PM

Hot water, Ice Melt, etc. Good call.... Here I am using a freakin pick axe breakin my back. On a positive note the icicles LOOK cool. Other than that it depresses me because it confirms that I have Ice Dams building up. I chipped away a small section (might have dented a gutter or two) and it cured the problem, temporarily.

GTO · 02-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazelnut

Hot water, Ice Melt, etc. Good call.... Here I am using a freakin pick axe breakin my back. On a positive note the icicles LOOK cool. Other than that it depresses me because it confirms that I have Ice Dams building up. I chipped away a small section (might have dented a gutter or two) and it cured the problem, temporarily.

been there, done that. Chipping the ice off with a hammer and chisel/screwdriver. Ice chips flying in your eyes. ladder shaking back and forth...not for me. Climbing an unsteady ladder because it is resting on the edge of an icy roof carrying hot water doesn't seem like a good idea either. I can see a scalding accident waiting to happen there.

pats fan · 02-03-2009, 03:49 PM

I know a guy in Laconia who is out of work right now and looking for any way to make some $$. He is a carpenter by trade, but is young and strong and certainly can shovel roofs! If you are interested in that please private message me and I can give you his number.

VitaBene · 02-03-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hazelnut

Hot water, Ice Melt, etc. Good call.... Here I am using a freakin pick axe breakin my back. On a positive note the icicles LOOK cool. Other than that it depresses me because it confirms that I have Ice Dams building up. I chipped away a small section (might have dented a gutter or two) and it cured the problem, temporarily.

Unfortunately, I have some great video of a 400 lb icicle going through the roof of our aluminum trailer this weekend!

jmen24 · 02-04-2009, 09:28 AM

Something to remember is that keeping your roof shoveled off completely will prevent your ice dam issues. All to often you see the bottom four or five feet shoveled off and the rest of the roof is still covered. This will still cause ice dams to form they will just be four to five feet up the roof as well as keep all the weight higher on the roof and thus putting just as much strain on the framing as if you hadn't shoveled any snow off. It is virtually impossible to prevent ice dams in New England, warming from the sun and/or heat loss happen on every roof. The only way to help prevent the ice dam is to keep the snow from melting and that requires removing all the snow from the roof as often as possible. And think about how well you will sleep knowing that you do not have a ton of weight or more hanging over your head.

Ice melt is a good idea, but stay away from rock salt for all roofs, not only will it stain your house, but it will kill any vegitation under your eaves. If you have architectural shingles you will not want to use calcium either, like SIKSUKR said there are products that are gentler than others. Just remember you are adding more moisture to the issue, so make sure the water has a place to go first.

Jmen24

Kamper · 02-04-2009, 01:54 PM

FYI - Water does not have to be very hot to melt the ice. It does not have t be hot at all although it helps. If you have running water, a hose will breach the ice dams and wash off snow. Expect it to take a lot of water and to end up with a sheet if ice where you hosed off. You'd want to position yourself to be running the water down the slope instead of blowing up under the shingles so there will probably still be a climb involved.

I doubt too many island summer homes have running water right now but I thought I'd thow it out as a point of interest.

Good luck!

Merrymeeting · 02-04-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmen24

The only way to help prevent the ice dam is to keep the snow from melting and that requires removing all the snow from the roof as often as possible.

Well... there is one other way that many of us use. Just eliminate the heat loss by closing for the winter!

It's often colder inside than out. By the time the sun is warm enough to cause melting, the cold that causes the ice dams is mostly gone too.

Now this still leaves the problem of potential weight issues if the snow load becomes wet. But in my case, with a house that's been there since 1944, I figure if it hasn't happened yet it won't be a problem.

jmen24 · 02-04-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

Well... there is one other way that many of us use. Just eliminate the heat loss by closing for the winter!

It's often colder inside than out. By the time the sun is warm enough to cause melting, the cold that causes the ice dams is mostly gone too.

Very good point and that keeps the heating bill down as well. Oh, honey I have an idea on how to reduce the bills.

Sunbeam lodge · 02-04-2009, 05:22 PM

[QUOTE=Merrymeeting;88413]Well... there is one other way that many of us use. Just eliminate the heat loss by closing for the winter!

It's often colder inside than out. By the time the sun is warm enough to cause melting, the cold that causes the ice dams is mostly gone too.

I use heated wire that you can buy at true value in Laconia. Just hitch it on the roof in a V pattern or lay it in the gutter and it will melt a path for the water to run off.

kaj · 02-04-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

is it safe to put ice melt on ice dams to speed up the melting? Will it do any damage to the shingles?

I was able to find something here is Mass that was an ice melt that was safe for roofs. Took a little longer but did the job and no more puddles in my bay window to mop up! I have been "raking" the roof ever since the window leaked and that has helped prevent the ice dams.

GTO · 02-04-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaj

I was able to find something here is Mass that was an ice melt that was safe for roofs. Took a little longer but did the job and no more puddles in my bay window to mop up! I have been "raking" the roof ever since the window leaked and that has helped prevent the ice dams.

is it a secret or are you going to tell me the name of it?

kaj · 02-05-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

is it a secret or are you going to tell me the name of it?

I used it all up and don't have the container anymore. Lots of ice! But I found it at Rocky's / Ace hardware. If memory serves it was called roofmelt.

AB_Monterey · 02-05-2009, 10:23 PM

http://www.shophometrends.com/produc...cd2=1233890476

The only issue you have is keeping the tabs up on the roof. They work pretty well if you can keep them up there.

trfour · 02-06-2009, 12:47 AM

Any problem area where there are gutters, take them down and when you reinstall them in more appropriate and warmer weather conditions, put spacers behind them to give the ice melt more room around them from the drip edge under the shingles.
If you do not understand this, feel free to PM me and I will attempt to unconfused you further.

T

02-01-2009, 10:14 PM	#1
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,932 Thanks: 2,290 Thanked 4,943 Times in 1,918 Posts	Watch Your Roofs Took a snowmobile ride out to the camp today On Welch Island. Saw a number of camps with a LOT of snow on the roof. With the impending wet snow or rain forecast for mid week, it may be wise to do what you can to remove some of the snow. Just an fyi.. Dan

02-02-2009, 01:56 PM	#3
GTO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,072 Thanks: 336 Thanked 342 Times in 158 Posts	ice dams is it safe to put ice melt on ice dams to speed up the melting? Will it do any damage to the shingles? __________________ GTO

02-02-2009, 06:01 PM	#4
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Gto.... I have used ice-melt in an emergency at the camp before I installed a heat tape with a thermostat that took care of the problem. There was just a gravel driveway in the run-off area, no shrubs or flower bead. __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

02-03-2009, 08:51 AM	#6
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,528 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 296 Thanked 957 Times in 698 Posts	Here's what worked good for me.....boil up a big tea kettle of water....cliimb up to the ice dam....and slowly pour out the hot water....pry off a a one foot section of ice dam with a snow shovel. The hot water loosens the ice's grip to the roof.....it worked twice for me. It's brains over brawn......who'd a thunk? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-03-2009, 10:49 AM	#7
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I see very little harm in using icemelt a few times during the year.There are products like manesium that more gentle than salt.You really only need to melt in a few spots to allow the water a path to run off.The whole roof edge does not need to be melted. __________________ SIKSUKR

02-02-2009, 11:59 AM	#2
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,560 Thanks: 149 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	I have a stained ceiling in Mass thanks to the ice dams.

02-03-2009, 01:30 PM	#8
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	Hot water, Ice Melt, etc. Good call.... Here I am using a freakin pick axe breakin my back. On a positive note the icicles LOOK cool. Other than that it depresses me because it confirms that I have Ice Dams building up. I chipped away a small section (might have dented a gutter or two) and it cured the problem, temporarily.

02-03-2009, 03:49 PM	#10
pats fan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 66 Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Roof shoveling I know a guy in Laconia who is out of work right now and looking for any way to make some $$. He is a carpenter by trade, but is young and strong and certainly can shovel roofs! If you are interested in that please private message me and I can give you his number.

02-04-2009, 09:28 AM	#12
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	Snow on your roof Something to remember is that keeping your roof shoveled off completely will prevent your ice dam issues. All to often you see the bottom four or five feet shoveled off and the rest of the roof is still covered. This will still cause ice dams to form they will just be four to five feet up the roof as well as keep all the weight higher on the roof and thus putting just as much strain on the framing as if you hadn't shoveled any snow off. It is virtually impossible to prevent ice dams in New England, warming from the sun and/or heat loss happen on every roof. The only way to help prevent the ice dam is to keep the snow from melting and that requires removing all the snow from the roof as often as possible. And think about how well you will sleep knowing that you do not have a ton of weight or more hanging over your head. Ice melt is a good idea, but stay away from rock salt for all roofs, not only will it stain your house, but it will kill any vegitation under your eaves. If you have architectural shingles you will not want to use calcium either, like SIKSUKR said there are products that are gentler than others. Just remember you are adding more moisture to the issue, so make sure the water has a place to go first. Jmen24

02-04-2009, 01:54 PM	#13
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,296 Thanks: 67 Thanked 166 Times in 126 Posts	FYI - Water does not have to be very hot to melt the ice. It does not have t be hot at all although it helps. If you have running water, a hose will breach the ice dams and wash off snow. Expect it to take a lot of water and to end up with a sheet if ice where you hosed off. You'd want to position yourself to be running the water down the slope instead of blowing up under the shingles so there will probably still be a climb involved. I doubt too many island summer homes have running water right now but I thought I'd thow it out as a point of interest. Good luck!

02-04-2009, 05:22 PM	#16
Sunbeam lodge Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Meredith/Naples Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 135 Thanked 50 Times in 26 Posts	[QUOTE=Merrymeeting;88413]Well... there is one other way that many of us use. Just eliminate the heat loss by closing for the winter! It's often colder inside than out. By the time the sun is warm enough to cause melting, the cold that causes the ice dams is mostly gone too. I use heated wire that you can buy at true value in Laconia. Just hitch it on the roof in a V pattern or lay it in the gutter and it will melt a path for the water to run off.

02-05-2009, 10:23 PM	#20
AB_Monterey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 293 Thanks: 86 Thanked 78 Times in 49 Posts	http://www.shophometrends.com/produc...cd2=1233890476 The only issue you have is keeping the tabs up on the roof. They work pretty well if you can keep them up there.

02-06-2009, 12:47 AM	#21
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Also, Another thing that I Found Out.... Any problem area where there are gutters, take them down and when you reinstall them in more appropriate and warmer weather conditions, put spacers behind them to give the ice melt more room around them from the drip edge under the shingles. If you do not understand this, feel free to PM me and I will attempt to unconfused you further. T Attached Images __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html Last edited by trfour; 02-12-2009 at 09:29 PM. Reason: Add Photo