Method for breaching ice dams on the roof of a house

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for its installation are described for melting breaches in ice dams. The apparatus is spherically or cylindrically shaped, filled with salt, another ice melter or a resistance heater. It is laid on the ice dam along the roof pitch to create a path for the drainage of water behind the ice dam. The method of installation uses grippers or hooks attached to a pole for remote placement.

1 . A method that melts cuts through an ice dam by breaching the ice dam along the pitch of the roof  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  that breaches the ice dam in one or more independent locations  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  that allows the installation of the ice melting apparatus before or after the ice dam has formed.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the ice melting apparatus doesn't need to be mechanically attached to the roof. The friction of the surface of the apparatus keeps it in place. The apparatus may be textured and/or weighted to improve the friction.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  for melting an ice dam that uses a salt or another ice-melting chemical. As the salt or another ice-melting chemical is consumed more of it is exposed to the ice. The chemical may be a substance or a combination of substances that are commonly used for melting snow such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, urea magnesium chloride, sodium acetate and calcium magnesium acetate  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  for melting an ice dam that uses a salt or another ice melting chemical bound in a permeable sleeve. As the salt or other ice melting chemical is consumed, the sleeve allows more of it to be exposed to the ice but does not allow the ice melting chemical to fall out.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  for melting an ice dam that uses a salt or another ice melting chemical held together with a binder. The binder controls the rate of consumption of the salt or other ice melting chemical.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  for melting an ice dam that uses the exothermic reaction of two mixing chemicals.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to claims  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7  and  8  that is generally straight and elongated and generally long enough to span the ice dam  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to claims  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6  and  7  that is generally spherical and melts a breach in the ice dam below it.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to claims  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6  and  7  in which the ice melting chemical is bound according to  claim 6 . The sleeve may be rigid or get its structural integrity from being stuffed with the salt or another ice melting chemical. Additionally, this sleeve can decompose so it does not need to be retrieved once the ice melting chemical is consumed.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to claims  1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6  and  7  in which the ice melting chemical is mixed with a binder A string internal to the apparatus may be present to provide strength and a method of attachment. Additionally, this string can by decompose so it does not need to be retrieved once the ice melting chemical is consumed. Optionally, the string can be unobtrusive so that if left on the roof it will not be seen easily.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus according to claims  1 , 2 , 3  and  4  filled with chemicals that when mixed will cause an exothermic reaction. The chemicals are separated from each other until the user mixes them.  
   
   
       14 . A potentially reusable apparatus that uses electrical resistance heaters to melt a breach in the ice dam.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  for that uses an external electric power supply.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  for that uses batteries as a power supply  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to claims  14 ,  15  and  16  in which the ice melting apparatus doesn't need to be mechanically attached to the roof. The surface friction of the apparatus keeps it in place. The apparatus may be textured and/or weighted to improve the friction. The weight may be concentrated on one end.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to claims  14  and  15  filled with resistance heater(s) and connected to house current.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to claims  14  and  15  in which a voltage reducing transformer is used to improve safety and provide a more flexible connection.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to claims  14  and  15  in which multiple instances of it are wired together to a single connection to house current  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to claims  14 ,  15  and  16  which directs heat towards the ice dam. It will tend to rest with its heated side down  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 ,  15  and  16  that radiates heat equally well in all directions around the generally elongated shape  
   
   
       23 . A remote placement apparatus consisting of a pole and an apparatus to attach to the ice melting devices. It uses hook or other attachment device that can attach or detach to the apparatus of  claim 11  simply by manipulating the pole or through a mechanism accessible to the user on the ground  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 23  that consists solely of the attachment device. It is sold without a pole and attaches to a pole that the consumer already possesses.