Roof and gutter de icing cables prevent ice from sticking around during sub zero temperatures.
Heat tape gutters install.
The term heat tape refers to another product an insulated electrical wire applied to water pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting.
Roof edges are a very important part of heat cable install.
Installing gutter heat tape is meant for the prevention of the ice dams not for getting rid of them once already formed.
Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves.
They take electricity to operate.
If you live in a warmer climate like san antonio gutter heat tape is an easy solution to frozen gutters that can also increase the gutters lifespan.
Heat cables are a much cheaper solution than fixing the source of the problem by sealing air leaks in the attic installing adequate insulation and creating proper ventilation.
Heat cables for roofs and gutters have widely varying price points primarily depending on the length of the cable.
Where is the heat cable suppose to be installed.
One aspect you need to consider is spacing depending on the pitch of the roof and the length of the soffit.
To simplify comparisons calculate the cost of each cable per foot.
Heat tape is a protected electrical cord that when used in gutters and pipes can stop them from freezing also known as gutter heat cables or gutter heaters heat tape helps to prevent ice dams from forming.
Disadvantages of installing heat cables.
The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable.
This product is also not meant for clearing the roof of ice or snow but merely for creating a clear pathway for already melted snow and ice to drain to the ground.
When installing heat tape there are many things to consider.
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.
We typically have to install an exterior outlet in the soffit to plug the heat cable into.
This allows you to fairly compare prices of an 80 foot cable with a 90 foot cable.