Icicles and ice dams are beautiful to look at, but they can also be deadly. Although it may be tempting, it is best to leave it to the professionals due to the risks involved and the difficulty of the procedure.
Roof snow melts and then refreezes, forming an ice barrier that prevents water from draining off the roof. This may cause leaks and damage to the home’s interior and roof. Icicles can also be dangerous because they can fall and injure people or cause ice damage.
Dangers and Hazards of Self-Ice Dam and Icicle Removal
It may be unsafe and dangerous to remove ice dams or icicles by oneself for a number of reasons, including:
A challenge in figuring out the issue
Finding the problem’s root cause may be challenging, particularly for homeowners who are inexperienced or unqualified to deal with snow and ice.
Home and business owners could try to remove ice dams or icicles in the incorrect places if they don’t adequately identify the source of the issue, which might result in partial or inefficient removal. This may make the issue worse and result in more gutter or roof damage on the outdoor surface.
Roofing or gutter damage.
Without the right tools or procedures, removing snow and ice may harm the roof or gutters.
The roof or gutters may sustain scratches, dents, or other sorts of damage if improper removal methods are used. If the ice melting is not entirely removed, it may also cause leaks, snow melting, and water damage within the home. That is why it needed an ice melt systems.
Dangers to safety
Working on a slick, steep surface while removing ice dams or icicles may be risky and increase the likelihood of slipping, falling, and suffering catastrophic injuries.
Furthermore, homeowners who are inexperienced or unqualified to handle melt snow and ice dams may not be aware of how to properly negotiate a steep, slippery surface, thus raising the possibility of harm.
Inadequate equipment
Without the right tools, such as a ladder, ice pick, or roof rake, it is challenging to remove the ice in a safe and efficient manner.
It may also be challenging to remove snow and ice without harming the roof or gutters without the right tools.
Lack of expertise and knowledge
It is easy to make mistakes while clearing ice dams or icicles without the necessary knowledge and expertise.
For instance, homeowners may not understand how to use machinery safely or how to move over a slick, steep area. They may as well not know the risks connected with clearing ice dams or icicles, such as the possibility of electrical risks or leaks.
Electrical Hazards Risk
The possibility of water entering electric systems if an ice dam or icicles block the eaves trough increases the risk of electrical hazards because water can damage electrical wiring and equipment.
It is critical to contact a professional to address the issue because it could lead to short circuits, electrical fires, and other dangerous situations.
All of these arguments support hiring a professional who has the necessary skills, expertise, and tools to safely remove snow and ice while also addressing any underlying issues. This will make it easier to ensure that the task is completed correctly and that your home is safe.
The Best Techniques for Eliminating Ice Dams
Ice dams may be temporarily removed by melting them. Your roofing expert can eliminate an ice blockage from your roof using one of three safe ice melt systems:
Utilize hot water
Gently pouring hot water over the ice blockage will cause it to melt, allowing the water to escape down the gutters.
Set up the heating wire
This snow melting system involves installing heat cables on the roof in the summer, which will ensure that they are ready to use in the winter when they will help you remove the ice dam through ice melting. To prevent ice dams, your roofer can advise installing them permanently or using them temporarily.
Snow removal
Your roofer can decide to have the remaining snow on your roof removed if warmer weather is expected and the ice dam is expected to melt. If not, snow will melt in the sunlight and refreeze at the eaves of the cooler roof, causing yet another ice blockage.
Ice dam removal has gone wrong
There are several incorrect methods for removing ice from your roof that can harm your asphalt shingles and reduce their ability to shed water.
To protect your roof and house and maintain the validity of your limited warranty, request that your roofer refrains from using the following dangerous ice-removal techniques:
Manual eviction
It is NOT a good idea to chip away at the ice with a pick, shovel, or other equipment. This may melt the ice, but it may also damage the shingles.
Furthermore, any fractures or openings in the roof that your roofers made will most likely be exploited by the next ice dam in this location.
When the snow melts, water may accumulate in these cracks, freeze, and then expand. As a result of this damage, a leak could form.
Roofing contractors should only remove ice when they are also replacing the roof directly beneath it.
The use of Chemicals
Roofers should not use any chemicals on their roofs. Many ice-melt solutions combine salt with other chemicals to increase the salt’s deicing effectiveness.
Although more specialized ice dam ice-melt tablets are available, they are not recommended for asphalt roofs.
Unfortunately, some of these substances may degrade into harmful chemicals that would destroy asphalt shingles, especially if applied to the roof for an extended period of time, and their use may violate the manufacturer’s limited warranty. Hydronic systems that circulate a glycol solution are a viable option.
Why choose HotEdge?
Choose HotEdge for all of your ice dam and icicle removal requirements instead of taking needless chances with your house and safety.
We have a qualified, experienced, and well-equipped team of specialists that can employ snow-melting systems to remove ice dams and icicles in a secure manner. Make an appointment with us right away, and let us handle your ice dam and icicle issues.
