[larsm]

Originally Posted by Cambium

Take the snow off the roof is the best method.

Once the snow is off, its a win win win...

Certainly true. The problem becomes in getting all the snow off. Nearly an impossible task; and, in certain spots where angled roofs meet is near impossible (at least from the ground).

[felixtibs]

I did the sock bombs, but the dams formed over them. Is the idea that when the ice melts it will channel through the sock? Some of the socks are just resting on top of the dams.

Brutal first winter here...

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by felixtibs

I did the sock bombs, but the dams formed over them. Is the idea that when the ice melts it will channel through the sock? Some of the socks are just resting on top of the dams.

Brutal first winter here...

Sorry to hear, it gets easier once you know what to expect and steps to take.

I tried the sock thing once, waste of time unless you do an entire "horizontal" row maybe which I didn't try. Waste of time IMO.

Bottom line let's face it, if the down spouts are frozen having the gutters melt to liquid is pointless. Its just going to refreeze as a block since it has nowhere to drain and roof melt continues coming down. .

Take care of the issue first then tackle the ice. The issue is the constant melting from what's on the roof.

$50 on a roof rake was one of the best investments I made.

[Readerwoman]

I've been raking for the past 3 years but the snow has been too much and I still got ice dams. The roofer who removed them told me I should be raking right down to the shingles, I was too gentle.
And he shoveled some snow off the higher level south side of the home, which ordinarily isn't an issue.
Do any of you find that it's better to take first thing in the day as opposed to night ( the moisture left behind turned to roof ice)?
Also any hints on keeping the snow out of the gutters as it falls off the roof? Or how to get it out? Maybe that's why I got the dams.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by Cambium

Sorry to hear, it gets easier once you know what to expect and steps to take.

I tried the sock thing once, waste of time unless you do an entire "horizontal" row maybe which I didn't try. Waste of time IMO.

Bottom line let's face it, if the down spouts are frozen having the gutters melt to liquid is pointless. Its just going to refreeze as a block since it has nowhere to drain and roof melt continues coming down. .

Take care of the issue first then tackle the ice. The issue is the constant melting from what's on the roof.

$50 on a roof rake was one of the best investments I made.

I've managed to avoid more damaging effects of ice dams, but Cam what is the secret to clearing more than the first few feet above the gutter? Despite buying several extenders for the roof rake, I am far from the roof peak even when standing on a step stool (which isn't always an option). My roof peak is approximately 35 feet from ground level (2.5 stories). Help!

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by Cambium

Take the snow off the roof is the best method.

Once the snow is off, its a win win win...

But if the snow you've pulled down is right next to the house, you might have some more work to do. If the snow is deep enough to require roof raking, it's deep enough you don't want a lot of extra snow right next to your foundation or basement wall.

[Mike 75]

Originally Posted by Readerwoman

I've been raking for the past 3 years but the snow has been too much and I still got ice dams. The roofer who removed them told me I should be raking right down to the shingles, I was too gentle.
And he shoveled some snow off the higher level south side of the home, which ordinarily isn't an issue.
Do any of you find that it's better to take first thing in the day as opposed to night ( the moisture left behind turned to roof ice)?
Also any hints on keeping the snow out of the gutters as it falls off the roof? Or how to get it out? Maybe that's why I got the dams.

I do it as soon as it stops snowing. The longer you wait the more difficult it is. The only way that I know of to keep the gutters clear is to run heat tape in them and the down spouts.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

I've managed to avoid more damaging effects of ice dams, but Cam what is the secret to clearing more than the first few feet above the gutter? Despite buying several extenders for the roof rake, I am far from the roof peak even when standing on a step stool (which isn't always an option). My roof peak is approximately 35 feet from ground level (2.5 stories). Help!

Mine extends 18 feet and when you have a house an extension ladder is what you need, not a step stool outside. :-). Even if you're scared of heights just go up a few steps. Or at least a 6 foot ladder. But if there are spots you cant get to then its worth the money to hire someone to do it. (only couple times a year?) You don't need to get the absolute peaks.

Originally Posted by Readerwoman

I've been raking for the past 3 years but the snow has been too much and I still got ice dams. The roofer who removed them told me I should be raking right down to the shingles, I was too gentle.

And he shoveled some snow off the higher level south side of the home, which ordinarily isn't an issue.
Do any of you find that it's better to take first thing in the day as opposed to night ( the moisture left behind turned to roof ice)?
Also any hints on keeping the snow out of the gutters as it falls off the roof? Or how to get it out? Maybe that's why I got the dams.

Yes, good point about raking down to the shingles provided you know what your doing. Leaving an inch of snow is more than fine, that evaporates and melts with the sun and your roof is snow free but leaving too much makes raking pointless.

You'll always get snow in the gutters, that's ok, when there's nothing left on the roof to melt your ice dams wont build. You can spend the extra time take the snow out or chopping the ice out once the block forms. (u might damage your gutter if your not careful!)

The freezing rain/sleet we got was the cause of the ice damns for many EVEN with a raked roof. That ice stuck to shingles and melting slowly causing the ice damns.

Originally Posted by HeadedWest

But if the snow you've pulled down is right next to the house, you might have some more work to do. If the snow is deep enough to require roof raking, it's deep enough you don't want a lot of extra snow right next to your foundation or basement wall.

Yup, this is the hardest and worst part about raking the roof. Knowing you will have more to shovel after everything you already shoveled or need to shovel. But the benefit is worth it.

Think of it like this... It's just another blizzard that came and dumped snow near the house. Up to you to clear it or not. And the avalanche packs it down nice and hard!

[clutchrider]

Ok so here is the concern. You melt the ice then what? The gutters are frozen solid so the water goes where?

I put up gutter guards this past year and am tempted to just go chop away but won't be able to clean the gutter out with the guards in place and most likely frozen in. So what's the option? Do I just buy some heat cable and throw it up there?

The only spot I am worried about is right by the chimney. But the house has been up for 17 years with no water issues from this.

[adamz]

Originally Posted by Cambium

Sorry to hear, it gets easier once you know what to expect and steps to take.

I tried the sock thing once, waste of time unless you do an entire "horizontal" row maybe which I didn't try. Waste of time IMO.

Bottom line let's face it, if the down spouts are frozen having the gutters melt to liquid is pointless. Its just going to refreeze as a block since it has nowhere to drain and roof melt continues coming down. .

Take care of the issue first then tackle the ice. The issue is the constant melting from what's on the roof.

$50 on a roof rake was one of the best investments I made.

You're wrong about the socks. They absolutely work, and quickly. You lay them on top of the ice dam, perpendicular to it. They melt through the dam, creating a notch. Water drains through it, and drips over the edge of the house. It can't get through the gutters, but that doesn't matter. Getting the water off the roof is the important thing.

Once you have the notch melted, you can keep it open by applying additional melt socks as needed.

Remember, it's not the ice dams that are the problem. It's not the melt water that's the problem. It's the two together.