A set of heat cables melting snow off a roof of a home in Buffalo, NY and properly draining.
You’re driving around town in the middle of winter and start noticing something strange: some roofs have snow melting in a zigzag pattern right along the edge near the gutter. You don’t think much of it until you get home. You look up at your own roof and see a large chunk of ice forming at above your front door. You decide it’s time to figure out how to stop ice forming on your gutters.
You have no idea where you start so you Google “how to get rid of ice on gutters” and eventually “roof snow zigzags.” Now you’re here, reading about heated gutters. Not the most thrilling topic, we get it. But if you’re a homeowner in Erie or Buffalo, this might just save your roof, gutters, and saving account this winter.
What Are Heat Cables?
Near Lake Erie, we deal with a constant freeze-thaw cycle. One day it’s 50°F and slushy. The next, there’s an inch of ice encasing everything. This is the perfect recipe for ice dams and icicles to form. Heat cables, also called de-icing cables or heat tape, are electric wires installed on your roof that warm up just enough to melt snow and ice. Not sure what ice dams are? Click here to learn more about ice dams and how to prevent them.
How Do Heat Cables Help Prevent Ice Dams?
We don’t just put these cables on your roof; we run these cables inside the gutters and downspouts where they are needed most. Heat cables can help your home by:
- Eliminating the Dam: By melting those “zigzag” channels through the snow, water can reach the gutters. If the water melts on the roof but freezes in the gutter, you’ve still got an ice problem. We make sure the water stays heated and is free to reach to the ground. This prevents water from backing up under your shingles and leaking into your attic or crawl space.
- Protecting Your Gutter System: Ice can get heavy very quick. A gutter full of ice can weigh hundreds of pounds, leading to sagging gutters or the entire system pulling away from your house.
- Reducing Hazardous Icicles: While they might look pretty, large icicles are a sign of heat loss, poor insulation, and lack of drainage.
- Lowering Your Stress (and Bills): You won’t have to spend your day knocking ice off the roof with a shovel, which can damage your shingles and pose a safety risk. By managing the ice externally, you reduce the risk of structural damage to your home that can cost thousands to repair or having to replace gutter system.
Do I Need Heat Cables on My Roof?
If you check any of these boxes below, heat cables might be a smart investment for your property.
- Icicle Patterns: Your house often grows long icicles.
- Past Leaks: You’ve noticed water spots on your ceiling during storms.
- Shade Issues: Parts of your roof don’t get sun due to trees or close buildings.
- Older Home: You live in an older home in Erie or Buffalo that may have little to no insulation in the attic.
Can I Install Heat Cables Myself to Save Money?
You can, but we recommend against this because heating cables are electrical. They need to be installed properly to work safely and prevent damage. A bad installation can be worse for your home than none at all. We recommend professional installation, so they are set up to last through multiple winters and actually save you money.
If you want to save money long-term, we recommend that you evaluate the condition of your insulation. Heat cables are great, but if your attic isn’t properly insulated, you’re probably losing heat that can result in high heating costs. Warm air escaping into your attic causes uneven roof temps that create ice dams in the first place.
By adding insulation and sealing up the air leaks, you trap the heat where it belongs. That means fewer ice dams, lower energy bills and less wear and tear on your roof and heating system!
Looking to add insulation? Bauer Specialty in Erie, PA offers expert insulation services that can keep your home warmer and better protected all winter long. They offer free estimates. Click here to learn more!
A professional contractor, from Bauer Specialty, spraying foam insulation in the walls of an Erie, PA home.
Let Us Help You Save Your Gutters
Contact Gutter Solutions of Lake Erie for professional heat cable installation, ice dam prevention, and winter gutter protection. We offer free estimates and real solutions that keep your home safer, warmer, and a lot less icy.
Get your free heat cable estimate for gutter protection—just visit this page.