How to Remove Ice From a Flat Roof
During the harsh winter months, ice can quickly accumulate on flat roofs. The ice accumulation can be very heavy and could cause potential danger such as a roof collapse if it is not removed. It is important to remove the ice as quickly and regularly as possible to avoid a possible collapse.
- Dress in warm clothes that are breathable and wear boots that have good gripping.
- Get a ladder, shovel, hot water and deicing cables. Place the ladder against the side of the roof.
- Climb up the ladder and onto the roof carefully.
- Determine how much ice and snow has accumulated. If a lot has accumulated, the roof may need to be braced from the interior before any removal is done to be sure the roof does not collapse.
- Brace the interior of the roof with wood or metal brackets before the ice removal continues if needed.
- Climb back up the ladder with the shovel in hand after the roof is properly braced.
- Check to be sure that no one is on the ground close to any sides of the house.
- Carefully push any loose snow off the side of the roof and onto the ground using the shovel. Be somewhat gentle when pushing the snow so that no damage is caused to the roof.
- Carry the shovel and climb down the ladder.
- Get the hot water and carefully climb back up the ladder. Pour the hot water near the drain that is on the roof.
- Make a radius of about 2 feet around the drain using the hot water to melt the ice.
- Take the container and climb back down the ladder.
- Get the deicing cables and climb back up the ladder. Place the cables from the drain to the corners of the roof.
- Make a pattern that resembles an "X" with the deicing cables and climb back down the ladder.
- Allow the ice to melt and properly drain through the path that has been created by the deicing cables so that no more ice accumulates.