Ice buildup on gutters - what to do!?

The maintenance guy I hired to clean the gutters did a piss-poor job of it and because of this a massive ice shelf has built up all around my building on the gutters. In fact, one was so bad that the weight from the massive icecycle hanging from one gutter ripped the entire gutter off the building which will require me to repair it.

I would like to know if anyone out there has dealt with this before and what is the best method for removing the ice even though the gutters are seriously clogged? I already went around myself and smashed all the hanging icecycles from around whole building but there is still at least a 3-4 inch thick buildup on top of and within the gutters.

I've thought about literally just placing rock salt on them but I'm not sure how good that will do since they won't drain properly anyway and what, if any, damage that could cause to the roof. Is there another way to work this out when temps are still around 0-10 degrees? :S

This is an annual problem for us here. Ours is not due to the lack of maintenance but the low pitch of our roofs. We have to knock icicles down daily if not we will lose a gutter as it has happened in the past. If you stay consistant with knocking down icicles the gutter should stay put. A past manager here attempted calcium chloride in the gutters and from what I was told it was a waste of time and money.

I think I've learned a lesson in that I should make sure the gutters are clear before the first snow comes and to make sure that if icicles do form I immediately knock them down.

Thanks for the tip Chrissy.

You can get potassium chloride or sodium chloride some comes in the shape of a hockey puck. You can flip them up onto the ice.
If you get a bag of the pellets you can put some into a paper sandwich bag and throw them up. I saw a news clip where they placed pellets into pantyhose tied it off and tossed them into the ice.

Sodium chloride, or rock salt, is highly corrosive. It will damage the roofing, siding, gutters and downspouts, and the runoff will kill foundation plants and grass.

If you are going to try any homemade approach for breaking an ice dam, use deicer. This method does work, I'm told. It breaks the ice dam, which allows water backed up behind it to drain. Fill old pantyhose with deicer. (Calcium chloride and corn-based formulas are preferred, but they still may damage your home and lawn.) Place them on the ice dam vertically (perpendicular to the roof's edge) to create the drainage channels.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! I really like the "sock" idea and the tips on being careful with said materials.

I definately will have to try the panty hose idea!

Use nude or beige panty hose! Black looks really strange! LOL!

I have had this problem before. This winter has been especially hard on everyone. For major issues, I have installed the heat rods in gutters and that works great for me. It allows the snow/ice to melt and drain down the gutters like rain does. I also replaced roofs at one property and installed ice shields, made sure to replace the rotted soffits, etc. and this helped, especially for those buildings with a northern exposure that never get sun, even in the summer. For immediate results, when you can't do anything else, I do use the salt - it works for quick relief.27

As a roofing contractor, you don't have too many options once the winter weather hits.
First with a proactive approach,if possible, you need to make sure your perimeter roof edges are protected with a waterproof membrane like "Grace Ice and water shield". This will help protect from the ice backing up into the roof and causing roofing and structural damage.
Secondly, as a reactive approach, you should try to remove the snow and ice from the roof. I'm talking about the area above where you're having the problem. With the constant freeze and thaw, the ice will continue to grow or stay as a problem until it is melted away.
Now if you try to use the salt or other home remedies like stated, you could cause damage to the roof. If the roof happens to still be under a warranty you could void it.
Heat rods or heating elements at the bottom roof eave transition are known to work.