What is Safe to Use to Melt Ice on My Roof?

What is Safe to Use to Melt Ice on My Roof? (Metro Detroit Roofing Safety)

Help! I have dangerous ice dams hanging from my gutters and excessive ice building up on my roof in Macomb County and Oakland County, Michigan. What can I use to get it off without damaging my roof?

That’s a critical question to ask! Many Metro Detroit homeowners and business owners attempt DIY ice and snow removal by climbing a ladder and applying various ice melts or using tools. The danger with this approach is that most ice melt products on the market are not formulated to be applied directly to roofing materials. In fact, many common de-icers can actually start to break down your shingles and other roofing components, leading to the premature failure of your entire roofing system.

Now, before you panic, I’m not suggesting that putting salt on your roof once means you’ll have a major leak next week. However, what I am sharing is that consistently using the wrong snow melt products will have a long-term negative impact on the lifespan and performance of your Metro Detroit roof. This can lead to costly roof repairs or even the need for a premature new roof installation.

The good news is that we have the definitive answer for safe roof ice removal, and if you are a DIY champion in Macomb or Oakland Counties, you can implement this yourself.

So, what is the safest product to apply to an asphalt shingle roof or other membrane to help melt dangerous snow and ice in Michigan?

The answer is Calcium Chloride.

Here are the key reasons why Calcium Chloride is the recommended, roof-safe ice melt for your Metro Detroit property:

1. Exothermic Reaction (Generates Heat): Unlike rock salt, which relies heavily on the sun and becomes ineffective below 20°F, calcium chloride generates its own heat as it dissolves. This makes it far more efficient for melting ice dams and roof build-up in Michigan’s deep freeze.
2. Melt More, with Less: Because of its high efficiency, you require significantly less calcium chloride than you would if you were using traditional rock salt (sodium chloride) or less-effective potassium chloride products.
3. Non-Corrosive (Relatively): While technically still a salt, calcium chloride is significantly less corrosive to metals (like gutters and flashing) and roofing materials compared to traditional rock salt. This is essential for protecting your gutters and roof flashing.
4. No Chemical Burn/Drying: Other harsh products can dry out the essential oils in asphalt shingles and other roofing membranes. This premature drying leads to brittleness, cracking, and “balding” (granule loss) over time. Calcium chloride avoids this damaging chemical burn.
5. No Chalky Residue/Staining: After rock salt melts, it often leaves a noticeable white chalky residue. This residue can stain dark shingles and other roofing membranes, ruining your home’s curb appeal. Calcium chloride leaves virtually no residue.

Hopefully, this clarifies your concerns about safely removing ice and snow from your Macomb or Oakland County roof and gutters.

Don’t DIY? We Are Your Local Metro Detroit Ice Removal Experts!

If you are not one of the DIY champions in the Metro Detroit area and would prefer expert help, you are in luck. Our Kanga-Roof service department has a dedicated fleet of service trucks and trained professionals ready to deploy. We are specialists in safe ice dam removal and roof snow removal to get that dangerous build-up off your roof and give you peace of mind from potential leaks.

To get our team out to your home or business in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne County, you can always call us directly at 586-566-0308 or schedule your roof service appointment directly online by CLICKING HERE.

We sincerely hope this helps shed some light on the safe way to get snow and ice removed from your roof. As always, we hope you have a Kanga-Rific day!

Sincerely,

Bill Burkhardt, Jr.

VP of Marketing – Owner