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Two Methods:Removal OptionsPrevention

Ice buildup on your roof can cause significant damage to your home. If you see icicles hanging from your roof, you most likely have what is called an "ice dam" on it that prevents water from properly draining off your roof. The danger of ice dams is that they create pools of water that can seep into your house and damage walls, ceilings and other structural areas. Ice dams are usually caused by poor ventilation in your attic. The warmer attic air melts the snow on your roof and the melting snow runs down your roof and under areas such as gutters before it is re-frozen by the colder outside air. To prevent ice buildup and damage, there are a few simple measures you can take.


Method 1 of 2: Removal Options

  1. 1
    Use a roof rake, available at your local home improvement store, and a push broom to remove all snow and ice immediately after a storm event.
    • Pull the snow in the direction of your roof's slope. Never pull any materials across your roof as you can damage shingles and other structures.
  2. 2
    Locate the ice dam.
    • Chip at the ice dam to create a channel through which water can flow. Be careful to not damage the roof when chipping and stop short of reaching the roof materials.
    • Fill a long stocking or sock with ice melt or sidewalk salt. Lay the stocking perpendicular to the edge of your roof and allow the salt in it to melt a trough down through the ice for the melting snow to flow through. Multiple salt tubes can be used to hasten drainage of snowmelt from the roof.
  3. 3
    Remove as much ice from your gutters as possible.
    • Ice melt, salt and warmth are your best tools for removing ice from gutters. Beware of chipping with edged tools, as it is very easy to slip and cut into roofing materials. (or body parts)

Method 2 of 2: Prevention

  1. 1
    Check all areas of your home for places where warm air could leak into your attic and plug up any areas or gaps that you find to prevent this.
  2. 2
    Cover any attic hatchways with a layer of stiff polystyrene insulation.
  3. 3
    Ensure that your attic is properly ventilated and that you have sufficient insulation to prevent further ice dams from forming from the warmer attic air.
  4. 4
    In warmer seasons, you can re-shingle sections of the roof... and place an ice/moisture barrier membrane under your new shingles to prevent water entering into your attic.
  5. 5
    Install a snow melt system to your roof. These usually take the form of heated wires or plates that prevent ice from forming and hasten the melt off of any accumulation.

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  • If your furnace happens to be in your attic, it may be more difficult to prevent ice dams on your roof; however, additional insulation between the rafters can still be valuable and using it on the furnace's ducts will reduce heat buildup.
  • To increase ventilation in your attic, you may have to install additional vents. The usual ratio of venting per area is 1 square foot (0.09 m^2) per 150 feet (45.7 m) of attic floor; however, this ratio is dependent on your specific geographic area. Installing thermostat-controlled fans and larger vents to replace those already there is also a good idea. Check with a local insulation company to assess what you need for your particular attic or research information on the Internet.
  • If you have current leaks coming into your attic, you may have to deal with the leaks before doing anything else. A fan aimed at the leaking area of your attic (under the roof) will blow cold air on the water and help re-freeze it and stop the leak. You can then move on to other removal measures.
  • As long as you remove the snow from your roof, it is not necessary to get rid of all the ice from your gutters or the ice dam. The ice will eventually melt and as long as you have created a channel through which the water can run and there is no more snow buildup on your roof, you should have no problem with further ice buildup.


  • Removing ice and snow from your roof can be dangerous. Never walk on your roof when it has ice and snow on it. Make sure that the ladder you use is properly secure on the ground with no wobble or chance of collapsing under you. It might be best to hire professionals to remove the ice and snow if you are hesitant about it.
  • Always wear protective clothing when working in cold weather or with insulating materials. Protect your exposed skin with warm winter clothing and gloves when working outside and use the appropriate coverings such as face masks and gloves when working with insulation.
  • Never remove gutters to prevent ice buildup. This can cause major damage to your roof and your gutters and also allow the snowmelt to drip down to your home's foundation and into your basement, causing even more damage.

Things You'll Need

  • Ladder
  • Roof rake and push broom
  • Ice removal tool (ice pick)
  • Attic fan
  • New attic vents
  • New insulation (including stiff polystyrene for hatchways)
  • Tape measure, hammer, screwdriver(s), saw and insulation cutting tool
  • Protective clothing, gloves and masks

Article Info

Categories: Exterior Walls and Roof

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