The only purpose of ice belt panels is to shed ice and snow off the roof edge and if ice dams do form they can t leak into the roof.
Ice buildup on roof edge.
This only occurs when part of your roof warms to above 32 degrees f warm enough to melt the snow while the roof edge remains below freezing.
Using a long handled roof rake to removing the snow from at least at lower 4 feet of roof edge can help prevent ice dams from forming.
Stop ice dams with a cold roof.
Ice dams and icicles form when the snow melts runs down your roof and refreezes near the edge.
We say they are deadly because sheets of ice start to break loose as the weather gets a little warmer stabbing or crushing anything in its path.
See below for a shopp.
This scenario is often the result of a warm attic.
You don t have to remove all of the ice.
To use the rake pull the snow toward the edge of your roof.
An ice dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions.
This is the only safe way to remove snow from a roof.
An ice dam can damage both your roof and the inside of your home.
It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too.
Standing on a stabilized ladder or other sturdy object reach into the gutter and chip away at the ice buildup starting at the gutter and working backward up the roof being careful not to damage the roof itself.
If you push the snow across the roof you could end up damaging the shingles.
The ice belt can be installed either directly over your shingles not recommended or by removing several rows of shingles along the eaves installing synthetic underlayment or ice shield and then.
Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams.
Ice dams are a common sight in northern new england winters and home partners has dealt with quite a few.
Repeat the process after every snowfall to keep the roof clear of ice dams.
Purchase a long handled aluminum roof rake preferably with wheels or a non stick graphite blade.
Never get onto a roof to remove snow in the winter.
Ice dams are those beautiful but deadly mounds of ice and icicles that you see along the edge of some roofs.