Rock salt is hard on roads, driveways and even vehicles, so it only makes sense that it would be damaging to your roofing as well. However, it is a common mistake among homeowners to use rock salt to cut through snow and ice.
To give you a better idea about the harmful effects of salt on your roofing, Gutter Helmet of Eastern Shore shares more information below.
Reasons Not to Use Salt on Your Roof
A number of people could probably attest to the effectiveness of rock salt in removing snow and ice from your roof and preventing ice dams. However, experts would discourage you from using rock salt since it can actually damage your roof. Below are specific reasons why you should never use salt to fix or prevent ice dams:
- Rock salt is effective only at certain temperatures. This means that it can melt snow if the temperature is on the warm side of freezing, specifically from 20 to 32 degrees.
- A typical ice dam is usually made of hundreds of gallons of frozen water, so you will likely need a huge amount of rock salt to melt it. Furthermore, an ice dam can be quite heavy. So if your roof has not been cleared for a while, melting the ice and snow could pose hazards too.
- Rock salt may not be capable of damaging your roof shingles, but it can cause the nails holding your shingles as well as other building materials to rust. The nails particularly could break when the conditions get too bad, compromising the shingles.
How to Remove Ice Dams Without Using Salt
Regardless of the kind of salt, it could still pose risks to your roof system. As a safer alternative, you might want to try Gutter Helmet’s Ice Reduction System. Helmet Heat works by melting snow before it even gets a chance to build up on your roof eaves. It is installed directly under the gutter caps without visible roof clips or exposed wire.
It would also be best to clear snow away before they accumulate. This way, you can prevent the freeze/thaw cycles that cause ice dams to form. Additionally, you have to ensure that your attic has proper insulation and ventilation. It is important to be able to control the temperatures in your home so as to reduce thawing risk.
Gutter Helmet of Eastern Shore is a locally owned and operated business known for providing excellent service. We specialize in installing seamless gutters as well as gutter protection products like gutter caps. Call us at (866) 333-8150 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We serve customers in Salisbury, Maryland.
