Ice Dam Heating Cables Installation

It s a topic few understand in depth both in terms of functionality and installation.

Ice dam heating cables installation.

In this video master electrician for ask this old house scott caron helps a homeowner install heat cables on his roof to stop ice dams. This dam traps water allowing it to work under the shingles. Secure shingle clips to roof shingles using a flathead screwdriver making sure to align them in a zigzag pattern. That company sells a few other brands of heat cable and deicing cable as well as a deeper selection of heat tape thermostats sensors and control systems.

The ice dam company has a strategic partnership with the heat cable store another source for quality self regulating heat cable for managing ice dams and ice dam prevention. Installing preassembled ice dam heat cables. It will be plug in ready and will not require any electrical wiring. In addition to cleaning out your gutters and installing gutter accessories to keep drainage clear roof cables also called heat cables offer added protection from a buildup of rooftop ice dams.

Roof and gutter de icing cables prevent ice from sticking around during sub zero temperatures. Heat cables can be installed to minimize ice formation and retention on roofs with them you can prevent a lot of damage to your roof that can result from the buildup of ice dams. Deicing cables heat the roof edge and keep it free of ice. Heat cable has a dubious reputation in the ice dam prevention world.

Clip in the cable along the same zigzag pattern as the shingle clips. For a detailed pdf manual on our ice dam heat cables click the following. Install the cables along the roof edge where ice tends to build up. Let s do what we can to protect our homes and avoid the stress and expense of damage caused by ice dams in the future.

Most heat cables are either on or off which can result in needlessly high electrical bills if the temperatures rise and the system is still running. Ice dams result from repeated cycles of thawing and freezing which cause snow and ice to melt then freeze along the roof edge lead photo.