Freezing rain can cause structural damage to trees.
Freezing rain occurs when supercooled water droplets come into contact with subzero temperatures. If rain freezes mid-air, it is known as sleet, and falls as tiny ice pellets, similar to hail. However, freezing rain that remains liquid until it hits the ground tends to spread out and form a transparent layer of slippery ice that makes for hazardous driving and walking. Large amounts can also cause structural damage to houses and trees. This is a particular problem on roofs, because the freezing rain not only adds weight, but blocks normal drainage channels, causing leaks. Removing ice formed by freezing rain mechanically is dangerous and can easily damage the roof or trees, so melting it is the best option. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Roofs
1. Evaluate whether or not removal is necessary. If the ice is not causing an immediate weight or water problem, attempting removal may cause more damage than leaving it to melt on its own. Removal may be necessary if you notice new leaks in your attic, cracks in your drywall, jammed doors or a sagging ridge line on a sloped roof. Ice caused by freezing rain should be removed from flat roofs once it reaches a thickness of 6 inches.
2. Shovel layers of snow to reveal the ice underneath. On a sloped roof, always work from the top to the bottom, or snow and ice higher up on the roof may give way and hit you, possibly causing a fall.
3. Melt drainage channels on the lower half of a sloped roof. Loop electrical de-icing cables around one or more long boards that have been placed parallel to the eaves and above any areas where ice build-up is blocking water drainage. Allow cables to hang over the edge of the roof.
4. Cut holes above the ice build-up on a sloped roof, and pour a non-corrosive chemical de-icer into each hole. Liquid de-icers are best for removing large chunks of ice, but solid de-icers are also available. Avoid products containing calcium chloride or sodium chloride, which can damage roofing materials.
5. Remove ice 2 feet in every direction from around the central drain on flat roofs by pouring hot water from a thermos or liquid chemical de-icers into holes you have cut in the ice.
6. Place electrical de-icing cables in a loop around the central drain and around any obstructions on a flat roof, then run cables to the corners of the roof and around the perimeter. Continue monitoring melting progress, as electrical de-icing cables work only when temperatures are above 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
Walkways and Driveways
7. Sprinkle powder or rock-like chemical de-icers over the area you want cleared. Once the ice has melted enough to be moved, you may wish to shovel the rest of it out of the way.
8. Consider purchasing a portable snow-melting mat for smaller surfaces such as walkways or steps. Roll out the mat on the area you want cleared, and connect it to a power source. Mats melt snow as well as ice, and can be safely left outside until spring.
9. Install a radiant heating system for larger areas that will experience freezing rain and other winter precipitation on a regular basis. These can be purchased online, and have the added benefit of being permanent and low-maintenance.
Trees and Shrubs
10. Minimize damage to trees in wooded lots by planting more conifers, removing or trimming trees with particularly large crowns, and thinning by less than 30 percent.
11. Use electrical de-icing cables and hot water to melt freezing rain at your discretion. Even a 1-inch accumulation of freezing rain can cause significant damage, so do not place yourself at risk by standing beneath large branches that are likely to snap. If you expect a winter storm, thread electrical de-icing cables through branches beforehand. Do not use chemical de-icers; they are harmful to plant life.
12. Connect a hairdryer to a power source with an extension cord to melt ice on small trees or shrubs. Once the ice closest to the leaves or branches has melted, the rest can be removed by gently shaking the trunk or brushing it off with your hand.
Tags: de-icing cables, electrical de-icing, electrical de-icing cables, freezing rain, sloped roof, chemical de-icers