How do you use an ice sock? We get ice dams too... wondering what you are doing to minimize them.
Debbie
http://www.ehow.com/how_7181249_make-ice-melt-sock.html
How to Make an Ice Melt Sock
Ice melt socks can help remove ice buildup on your roof.
Ice buildup or ice dam formation on the roof of a home is a typical problem in areas of the country with long, cold winters. There are several solutions to this problem including applying salt, chlorine or other ice-melting chemicals to the roof. But applying the chemicals to the roof on a regular basis is inconvenient and unsafe as well as potentially environmentally unfriendly; thus, the ice melt sock has been developed. An ice melt sock is a long, flexible, porous sock that is filled with safe ice melt chemicals and applied to areas where ice accumulates on the roof.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things you'll need:
Pantyhose or other flexible, porous material
Ice melt chemicals
Wire ties or clamps (optional)
10-to-15-foot pieces of rope (The amount of rope pieces depends on the size of your roof)
Making an Ice Melt Sock
1
Either cut the legs off of a pair of large pantyhose or cut your other ice sock material into 4-to-8-foot lengths.
2
Fill the legs of the pantyhose or lengths of other material three-quarters full with a safe ice melt chemical. Do not use salt or chlorine as both of those are potentially hazardous to plants and animals. You can order environmentally friendly ice melt chemicals online or purchase them at your local hardware store, Walmart or Home Depot. Either tie off the end(s) or use a wire tie or clamp.
3
Tie the 10-to-15-foot pieces of rope to the tied-off end of the ice melt sock. Now you have a rope lead for your ice melt sock so you can just toss it up on your roof close to the ice accumulation area and drag it into position. The ideal arrangement is an ice melt sock arranged vertically every 6 to 8 feet along the ice accumulation creating drainage channels for the snow and ice melt to reach your gutters and be drained off.