Re: What to use to melt ice

On Mar 5, 10:31�am, Smitty Two <prestwh...@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In article <jtvss3t5oplfc8b2l1mmdhupduhtj11...@xxxxxxx>,





�letter...@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I could not get in one part of my barn yesterday, where I keep
chickens and other small animals. �I can not remove the windows
without destroying them, since they are attached from the inside, and
I can not remove the metal barn siding because I dug the sheets about
10 inches into the ground to keep coons from digging under the shed to
kill chickens.

I installed the door with slopeing soil in front and made the door 5
inches above ground level and put a chunk of railroad tie into the
ground and nailed a 4x6 on top by the door (also so coons can not get
in). �Anyhow, the door is normally 5 inches above ground level, and
with the tapered ground in front, it opens to nearly 10 inches above
the ground. �There is also a 30 inch overhang above the door. �I built
it last summer and intentionally made it this way so I would not get a
snow buildup blocking the door.

However, we have had the most severe winter in years. �Even after
shoveling and plowing snow away from doors and walkways, there is
literally a two foot (or more) snowpack everywhere. �I now hit my head
on that overhang all the time because I forget about it. �We keep
going from snow storms to partial melts and back below zero.

What has happened is that I would shovel by those doors, but we have
been having occasional melting then freezing. �All the water has run
into the shoveled out section on front of that door because there is
no place for it to go. �Well, now it's above the door and I can not
get inside. �I was able to take off a small piece of metal siding
above one of the windows yesterday, so I could toss a bucket of feed
in there and lower a pail of water with a rope. �However, I will need
to get in there somehow, and soon. �

I thought about taking the door off at the hinges, but it's still
frozen into the ice and even if I get it off, then I will have coons
getting the chickens. �This is solid ice, not just frozen snow.

What can I pour on that ice to melt it, but not eat away the metal
siding of the building? �I know rock salt will ruin the metal. �I know
there are other chemicals made for ice, but which would be safe on the
metal? �OR �Is there something electrical or propane powered that will
work but not set the shed on fire? �I know a regular propane torch
would melt the ice and I could keep it away from the wood, but that
would likely take hours. �I have a torpedo heater but how would I
direct the flame and heat at the ground? �Normally I find a way to
deal with this sort of thing, but this one has me at a loss. �

Yes, I could take an ax and chop at it for hours, but that will keep
happening every day, unless I can chop it to bare ground for about 30
feet from the door so the water runs toward a ditch. �Maybe they make
some tool that I don't know about.....

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Hmm, tough gig. Glad I don't live in that kind of weather any more. If
it were me, I'd sacrifice a window at this point. Make a temporary
plywood shutter for it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

a one time use of rock salt, rinsed off well with a garden hose is
probably the best approach
.

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