ICE MELT SOCKS FAQs I
A. RoofIce Deicer Melt Socks (RMS) are a new product designed to melt roof , solar panel, or stair ice dams,
and stop the water from building up behind ice dams. They retail for less than $10.
They allow the ice to liquify and act as a constant liquid deicer which keeps water flowing under the snow/ice &
off the roof, PV panel, or step. They are rated at a 75 lb. burst strength with a weave
that prevents unraveling and are designed to last for up to 10 years or more in wet, icy, weather.
They are the first "do-it-yourself "roof de-icing product that combines, gutter and drain deicing,
ice dam removal, ease of use, excellent performance, and superior corrosion
protection, with a refillable, reuseable ice sock. You don't have to go on the roof.
Just throw the ice melt sock and pull it into place. Retrieve and refill as necessary.
Q. What about the effectiveness of "ice melt socks" vs. "panty hose" or "cables.".
A. This old house recommends panty hose , because they are the right shape to make a drainage channel for the
water. First, if you go this route you will need to replace them constantly. They are not designed to gradually
disssolve the ice melt.. The "panty hose" or "drawer tube sock" method is as wasteful as throwing handfulls
of pellets or tablets on the roof. Cotton materials will plug quickly and freeze with all the ice melt intact and
light nylon materials allow ice melt to be used up after the first snowfall .
WE DO NOT RECOMMEND pantyhose, or sandwich bags, or plastic sacks. You need a tube to make a
drainage channel, not a sack or bag. Pantyhose are too fragile and tear rapidly in the weather.
The tiny burst strength of pantyhose material deteriorates quickly after contact with the
ice melt crystals, cold, and sunshine. Tears or "runs" bleed ice melt crystals quickly and shards of torn material
make ice dams worse and end up plugging gutters until spring weather thaws them out.
You may also be tempted to use electrical snow-melt cables, but often these just move the ice dam
further up the roof. Cables put dozens of holes into your roof, catch leavess, and are a maintenance nightmare!
Q. How do I use it on roofs or icy steps?
A. Just remove the RMS from the pouch and fill with off the shelf , non-corrosive and non-staining EZDeicer
or equal ice melt pellets . Do not use rock salt (sodium chloride) the iron in it stains.
On roofs your goal is to make drainage paths through the ice on the lower edge of the roof.
Then move the sock higher up on the roof if needed.
On steps/solar panels place the sock along one side of the steps or across the rear base of the step out of the
way of foot traffic or sunshine.
If possible, on roofs, place the sock on exposed ice, above the ice dam, about every 2-10 feet along the edge
of the roof. Attach a cord (not included) and pull the icemelt sock to an area above the ice dam in a vertical line
down to the edge of the roof and tack in place. Alternatively, you can tack the sock in place. Refill as necessary
rather than overdoing it the first time. If an empth socks freezes just throw a full one next to or on top of it.
Q. Is the Uline EZDeicer specified Ice Melt product harmful to my home's exterior?
A. No. Other ice melting compounds like urea or acetate can damage the exterior of your home, plants, and the
concrete below because they do not contain corrosion protection. Roof nails are sealed under 4-6 inches of
asphalt shingles and as such are not directly exposed to EZdeicer filled ice melt socks.
If you have any concerns about the potential for damage to roofing nails, metal roofs or rusty gutters/ downspouts,
etc., then (DO NOT USE CORROSIVE MELTS). The CMHA supports using CMA crystals when roof deicing.
Q. What happens if it runs out of ice crystals and gets frozen in place?
A. Place a fresh ice sock above, next to, or on top of it, and you will see the ice melting, and re-creating a channel for
water to safely run off the roof quickly, based on air temperature.
Q. How many will I need for my home?
A. The standard RMS is a 4x18" tube designed to be filled with 3-12 lbs of EZDeicer ice melt, thrown onto the roof,
and drawn into place with a throw cord. Each RMS will give you five feet of coverage so we recommend placing
one RMS every 3 feet or more for severe ice dams. If you want a larger sock that lasts longer you can unfold our
standard sock and stretch it out by hand to 36". Also a 24x36" RMS is also available by clicking here.
Q. What about one time use bricks, tablets, free crystals or other types of non-refillable ice socks?
A. Since a steady rainfall will dissolve all the ice melt in a typical rooftop 12 lb. ice
sock in a few hours, not only are those "other non-refillable socks" ineffective, they are pretty
much a waste of your money. Other dissolvable bricks or tearable, and non-refillable type ice socks
including "panty hose,"are not retrieveable, so they usually plug-up gutters and downspouts.
Most "other types of bags, bricks, tablets, crystals, etc. " consume the ice melt too qucikly because they try to melt all the snow/ice from the top
down. That approach is not workable from any standpoint. and will make a bad situation even worse. Only ice melt socks are designed to
create channels under the snow/ice load to get the job done effectively and efficiently.
CLICK HERE MORE FAQs OR CALL 888-261-4726
Alternatively, you may unfold and fill the entire sock with ice melt then use the velcro strap to close the open sock end.
