GREECE, N.Y. (WROC) - As we begin to see temperatures above freezing this week, much of the ice and snow built up on roofs across the Rochester area will begin to melt. If not addressed properly, this could lead to roof damage and ceiling leaks in your home.
CEO of Roofing Rochester Paul Melnik and his team have already received quite a few calls this week regarding these concerns, and explained how roof holes and leaks happen.
"When the ice melts and refreezes, it can form a ridge on the edge of your roof or in the gutter called an ice dam," Melnik said. "This will make the water continue to back up, and sometimes it goes underneath the drip edge."
However, there a few things you can do if you notice excess ice or snow on your roof. One suggestion Melnik has is to use calcium chloride pellets.
"We primarily put the pellets over an ice dam, and they work like fire on ice," Melnik said.
And if that doesn't work, Melnik said there's always the option of using a low pressure steamer.
"The steamer allows us to make a channel for the water to travel past the ice," Melnik said. "All of the water then has a way to escape."
If you're one of the few folks who has rock salt amid the regional shortage, Melnik urges you to avoid using it on your roof. This could lead to holes forming in it, especially if it is a shingle roof.