Winter months are now here with us. Some of us may appreciate the cold weather and what it has to bring. It can symbolize Christmas and other holidays as well. It also can mean the turn of the year and the ability to look to a fresh start.
But others among us may not like it because of all the hazards and the dangers that the winter season brings to the table.
Indeed, we know that snow and ice are on the way in the Denver, CO, area. While these elements are great for different sporting activities, they may wreak havoc on your property if left unchecked.
How well are you prepared to deal with the slippery parking lots and slick sideways on your property as winter comes? As an experienced property owner, you must be aware of the dangers of wintery weather, particularly on your roof.
It can be a significant issue if you have ice dams and ice dam-related problems on your roof. This can create a world of damage and significantly impact your home in the Denver, CO, area.
Remember, reducing the hazardous ice melts that accumulate on your roof starts with using the proper melt. In essence, ice melt may be applied before or after the formation of ice/snow on your top as it is meant to reduce the boiling point of water and prevent ice buildup/ break the preformed ice into liquid form.
If you are looking to prevent ice dams with the right equipment, here’s how to choose the proper ice melt for your roof.
Consider Residual Deicing
Remember, the chemical composition of the ice melt you buy will dictate when the product will continue to offer the desired deicing effects after application.
It would be advisable to get an ice melt with a more extended residual action as it will help you minimize the chances of going back to the shop any time soon. Though expensive, ice-melts with more prolonged residual deicing effects will save you future labor costs when your roof needs a similar service.
If you are looking to prevent ice dams and are looking for a roof ice melt system, reach out to our team at HotEdge today. We know that you want to preserve the quality of your roofing material and would like to conduct ice dam removal in the most effective way possible.
Our ice dam experts can help you with your ice melt products and offer ice dam removal solutions that help you and your family stay safe and secure.
Put the environment in mind
How will the chemical used in the ice melt affect the areas surrounding your property after applying it on the roof? You must appreciate that some of the ice melt systems in the market may have a range of adverse effects on the environment, particularly your plants, the soil, waterways, animals, and fish. So be careful to put the environment first any moment you go shopping for an ice melt for your roof this winter.
This is why homeowners turn to Hotedge. Homeowners want to make sure that they have the right ice melt products and ice melt systems to provide the right benefits without adding problems in the present or the future.
The Form of the Ice Melt
In what form does the ice melt come? Is it solid or liquid?
In essence, solid ice melts are the most popular as they work by absorbing moisture from the top region of the accumulated snow. After dealing with the water, the solid ice melt will permeate downwards as it forms a solution (brine) which will soften the interface between the ground surface and the ice.
In comparison, liquid ice melts are highly effective when used as pre-treatments. Remember, liquid ice melt is already brine and will effectively prevent ice and snow from accumulating on your roof.
If you are looking for ice dam solutions, work with Hotedge today. Whether you are looking at calcium chloride, sodium chloride, rock salt, heat tape, other products that conduct direct heat transfer, our team of experts can help to offer ice melt product options that can help you.
The General Climatic Conditions
The general climatic conditions play a significant role in determining how effective the ice melt you opt for will be. Therefore, you need to be aware of the lowest practical temperature of the ice melt you choose for your roof before committing your hard-earned cash.
Remember, the ice melt you will be purchasing will work by reducing the freezing point of water.
However, the chemical compounds used in making ice melts have different working temperatures. It is necessary to understand how it interacts with the current climate, from calcium chloride to magnesium chloride and even potassium chloride.
If you do not choose the right ones, you may end up not achieving your ice removal goal if you use an ice melt beyond its effective temperature. For instance, applying an ice melt whose lowest effective temperature is 20 degrees at a lower temperature will not provide the desired outcomes.
It is strongly advisable to use exothermic ice melts (ice melts that release heat at lower temperatures) as they will remain effective even in areas with temperatures lower than -25 degrees. Similarly, it would help if you remembered that cold temperatures would restrict the volumes of moisture that accumulate on ice/ snow, making it hard for the snow to absorb.
Conversely, it would be advisable to use endothermic ice melts for your roof if you live in areas with moderately cold temperatures. In essence, endothermic ice melts are known to work optimally at temperatures above 20 degrees. The endothermic ice melt will draw heat from the surroundings instead of releasing heat like the exothermic type.
The Shape of the Ice Melts
You must appreciate that solid ice melts will come in different shapes. However, not all shapes of ice melt will give you the desired outcomes. Evenly shaped and round ice melts are known to produce the best results when used on roofs than other shapes of ice melts, particularly the flaked and irregularly shaped ice melts.
In essence, round solid ice melts tend to liquefy downwards and outwards evenly, which allows them to cut through the accumulated snow more rapidly. In comparison, irregularly-shaped ice melts will soften horizontally and may take longer to penetrate to your roof’s surface.
Work with HotEdge For the Right Solution For your Roofs Today
HotEdge® provides solutions that prevent ice dams and icicles from forming. Using a combination of different products, we are able to cost-effectively prevent snow meltwater from re-freezing on your roof to ensure ice dams and icicles do not have the opportunity to develop.
HotEdge® is the leader in the world in manufacturing accredited roof ice melt systems.
We understand just how destructive ice dams and icicle formations can be to your roof and property.
