To prevent ice dams, heat cables should be installed
To prevent ice dams, heat cables should be installed
Heat cable is not a popular choice for ice dam prevention. Few people know what heat cable is and how to install it correctly. In this three-part series, I will explain heat cable, its functions, and limitations, how to purchase and avoid it, as well as how to design and install heat cables by roofers in Mesa AZ.
A dam of snow
Minnesotans have terrible memories of the snowflakes that fell in October. Immature ice dams can be seen adorning large and small homes. An ice dam, which is the name of the ridge of ice found on roofs (usually around the eave), causes meltwater to flow through the roof and into your house. You can think of them as mini-glaciers that can wreak havoc on your house if they are ignored. Minnesota greetings!
While insurance companies usually cover the cost of repairing damage to ice-dammed areas, they don't cover the cost of preventing future damage. This leaves many homeowners wondering what to do. Insurance companies may demand homeowners to pay costly modifications to prevent future dams, in response to ice dam claims. If the modifications are not completed, future claims related to ice dams may be rejected.
ARCHITECTURAL ICE DAMS SOLUTIONS
Experts agree that the best method to prevent ice-dams is to improve the architecture of your house. This includes insulation and ventilation. But, most importantly, sealing air leaks that allow heat and snow to escape. Remember that melting snow feeds the cycle of ice dams by re-freezing along the eaves. These home improvement projects have ranged in cost from $10,000 to $30,000. We have completed hundreds over the last quarter-century. This video provides an overview of the project's scope.
These aren’t your usual insulation and air-sealing projects. This is a difficult and messy job that can involve the demolition or complete reconstruction of the entire home. It is a great house improvement and can reduce the risk of ice dams. It can prove to be a costly mistake that leads to increased ice dam risks. Bummer.
SHOVELING ROOF FOR ICE-DAM PREVENTION
Roof shoveling is an effective method for preventing ice dams, provided that you follow some very important guidelines. First, the roof must be cleared of all snow on the roof. The removal of snow from the roof below can create a worse condition than you think. A double dam is an ice dam that builds upon the roof.
Dam on two levels
Double dams, which can be extremely difficult to remove, can cause extensive damage if they're not treated promptly. The impacted roof structures maybe 2 or 3 stories high or other inaccessible. Therefore, roof raking from the ground or on top of ladders is not an effective method of clearing the snow.
Snow removal is possible at home.
This means someone has to climb up there, which is generally not a good choice for a novice. For many homeowners, this is the only way to avoid paying high-priced professionals.
PREVENTION FROM ICE DAMS HEAT TAPE
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Tape to keep yourself warm
All ice prevention heat tape has the same principle, no matter if it's called heat wire, heat coil, roof deicing, or heat cable. These cables meet the roof snow and ice by producing heat via electrical resistance. These channels allow water off the roof to escape and not back up into your house. Heat cable has no purpose other than to create relief channels in snow and ice. It does not maintain snow-free eaves.
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It has been installed heat cables.
High-quality cables and someone who is experienced in using heat cables can provide years of reliable ice dam prevention. However, heat cables may be the only solution to ice dam prevention in certain situations. These houses were often found during our inspections. Some industry skeptics maintain that heat wires are not necessary.
Mesa Roofing Pros
930 N Mesa Dr #2001 Mesa 85201
+480-712-3186