Install heat cables to stop ice dams

Mar 30

Heat cable is often portrayed as a bad option in the prevention of ice dams. Many people don't have the knowledge to correctly install heat cables. I will be covering heat cable in this series of three parts.

A dam of Ice

Minnesotans will remember the awful early 2019 memories brought back by the snowflake incident in October. It was a nightmare. There were impassable roads, flooding basements, and images of large and small ice dams. An ice dam is an ice ridge that forms on roofs around the eave. It forces water through the roof system into your home. They are mini-glaciers, which can cause serious damage to your home if ignored. Minnesota greetings!

Although most insurance companies will cover costs associated with repairing ice-dam damage, they may not be able to cover costs associated with preventing future damage. This has left many homeowners wondering how they can avoid this costly, inconvenient, and expensive problem. Some insurance companies demand homeowners pay for costly modifications that will prevent future ice dams as a result of ice dam claims. These modifications may result in future ice dam-related claim rejections.

ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS ICE DAMS

Experts agree that improving your home's architecture is the best way to prevent ice dams. That includes insulation, ventilation, and sealing any air leaks that allow heat or snow to escape. The ice dam cycle feeds off the meltwater that refreezes at the eaves. These home improvements have been completed in hundreds over the past quarter-century with average costs of between $10,000 and $30,000. This video gives you an idea of the project's scope.

These aren’t the typical insulation and air sealing projects. This is a messy, dirty job that typically involves demolition and reconstruction of an interior or exterior part of the home or both. If done properly, it can be considered an important house improvement that reduces the chance of ice dams while also increasing energy efficiency. It can also be a wasteful investment that could lead to ice dam issues. Bummer.

SHOVELING THE ROOF IN ICE DAM PREVENTION

Roof shoveling is an effective method to prevent ice dams when you adhere to a few important guidelines. First, it is necessary to remove all snow from your roof. A double dam is a condition where snow can be removed from the roof. It's not the same as common perception.

Dam on two levels

Double dams are very difficult to remove and can cause severe damage if not taken care of. The roof planes that are impacted may be several stories high or difficult to reach. If this happens, roof raking isn't an option.

Snow removal can be done at home.

It is necessary to climb up, which is usually not a good idea if you are a beginner. The only option for many homeowners is to hire professionals. This is expensive.

PREVENTION ICE DAMS BY HEAT TAPE

Tape to keep you warm

All forms of ice dam prevention heat tape have the same idea. These cables create heat by using electrical resistance to melt snow and ice on roofs. These channels allow water to escape from the roof rather than rushing into the house. The purpose of the heating cable is not to keep the roof snow-free, but to provide relief channels through snow and/or ice.

The installation of heat cables was completed.

When placed by someone who is knowledgeable about heat cables and who has a good quality cable, they can provide reliable ice dam prevention for a decade. There are instances when heat cables are the only option for preventing ice-dams. We often come across these houses during our inspections. Even so, some industry skeptics claim that heat wires don't work.

Mesa Roofing Pros

930 N Mesa Dr #2001 Mesa 85201

+480-712-3186