How To Install Heat Tape On A Roof

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.

How to install heat tape on a roof. Heat cables can protect your gutters from filling with ice breaking off and harming your roof. When you add materials at the price of about 2 sq ft you are looking to spend about 200 for 100 feet of cable. Starting at the bottom left or right edge corner of the surface near the gutters apply clips to the third or fourth row of shingles approximately eight to twelve inches apart. Installing heat tape on a standing seam roof with the s 5 sr heat tape clip the s 5 heat tape roof clip is a new patented roof clip design specifically for standing seam applications with a focus on ease of install and effectiveness.

Heat cable ul listed to prevent ice dams. Clip in the cable along the same zigzag pattern as the shingle clips. They take electricity to operate. Secure shingle clips to roof shingles using a flathead screwdriver making sure to align them in a zigzag pattern.

Heat tape metal roofs. Operating costs are far greater than the higher quality self regulating roof heat tape systems we install every day because big box ice dam heat tape systems operate at 100 capacity all the time regardless of the outdoor temperatures. Roof and gutter de icing cables prevent ice from sticking around during sub zero temperatures. The most effective approach to this step is to apply as many clips as you can.

Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves. To install roof heating cables you must first apply shingle clips to the structure. The s 5 base is designed. 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.

Thus your total cost when hiring a contractor will be 500 600. Disadvantages of installing heat cables. It is used in conjunction with the s 5 base which needs to be purchased separately. The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable.

Unique heat tape cable systems for the roof valley and the roof flashing on metal roofs. 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.