I've used ice melter to remove ice dams on my roof. Are there any concerns about using calcium chloride in this manner?
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First, let's define an ice dam. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents water from melting snow from draining off the roof. With nowhere to go, the water backs up behind the dam and could potentially leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas.
Preventing the potentially serious and costly damage ice dams can cause requires: (1) reducing the amount of snow present on the roof, because the snow provides the source of moisture and also insulates ice dams from melting, and (2) making channels through the ice dam to allow the water behind the dam to effectively drain off the roof.
OxyChem recommends you hire a trained professional to treat ice dam-related problems and to investigate insulation and attic ventilation best practices that may prevent ice dams.
There are ice melt products on the market that are designed to be thrown onto the roof where ice dams have built-up to create channels that allow the melting snow to drain off the roof. Most common ice melt products contain chlorides, including hygroscopic (moisture attracting) products like calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. While very effective in melting ice, hygroscopic ice melt products may cause the water to evaporate at a slower rate and remain damp longer than naturally melting water.
If you use ice melt products on your roof, be aware of the risks involved and take precautions to ensure proper drainage. Water from melting ice can corrode roofing nails and steel gutters, and could get under shingles potentially damaging wood products. You should also prevent the water from draining directly onto vegetation, including shrubs, bushes and evergreens.
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