Heavy snowfall can wreak havoc on your roof. Although there are many ways to remove snowy buildup, investing in heat tape may be your best bet. But what is heat tape, and how can it benefit you?
Ice-melt roof systems have rounded cords, come in different lengths, and are not pre-wired. Alternately, heat tape for water pipes is flat, fixed in length, and pre-wired.
Heat tape is a resistive heater. When electricity passes through it, its resistivity generates heat, warms up your roof, and melts the ice. You can adjust the heat to your needs.
Hot spots on sloped roofs can lead to ice dams. While ice melt roof systems don’t stop ice dam formation entirely, they minimize the risk by helping the meltwater flow down the roof.
Ice dams can break your roof and cause water leaks, insulation damage, mold, and poor indoor air quality. Heat tape for gutters can protect your roof and save you a ton in repairs.
Unlike your roof, your gutters aren’t strong enough to hold a few inches of snow. Fortunately, heat tape can melt snow buildup and prevent it from tearing down your gutter system.
Snow on eaves/gutters can fall and injure people. It can also refreeze and turn your driveway into a slipping hazard. But heat tape can help protect your family from these dangers.
While heat tape gutters can reduce the risk of ice dams, they cannot eliminate the problem altogether. No matter how you lay the cable, ice dams will form in one place or another.
Being electric-powered, heat tape can increase your winter energy bills. If the winter extends, you’ll shell out even more. But it’s still cheaper than getting your roof repaired.
Self-regulated heat tape is best if you want minimal monitoring. This type adjusts its heat output based on the surrounding temperature. You can get it custom fitted to your needs.
Energy-conscious homeowners may want to buy heated water hoses that use running water to prevent ice dams. They come in varying lengths and help keep your energy bills reasonable.
Ice melt roof systems can be a great addition to your home, especially if you’re a Utah. Use this guide to choose the best heating system for your roofs or call us to know more!