Living in the Inland Northwest, we will get winter weather.  Snow and ice on homes and business roofs can cause ice dams.  Ice dams have the potential of causing great damage to homes and buildings.  Ice dams form when snow and ice melt above heated living spaces in homes or offices.  The water runs down the heated area, onto and over unheated and uninsulated soffits, freezing as is gets to the edge of the roof line.  As the water soldifies, it begins to build up a wall of ice that the water flowing down is unable to get past, causing it to freeze and possibly backing up under the roofing material, making its' way into the attic and home.  You can see many examples of this just driving around our area.

Heat Cable, or De-Icing Cable, is a pair of electrical wires encased in a UV coating and installed onto your home that generates heat that keeps water flowing.  Heat cable can be installed from the edge of the roof to the structure wall, keeping any water in this area free flowing off the roof. 

If rain gutters are mounted in this area, add heat cable to keep the water moving away from your home.  Don't forget the downspouts and chains, the water has to exit the gutter somehow!  If the water is melting off your home, you need to keep it moving.

There are many types of heat cable; we offer two styles -

• "Constant-On" and
• Thermwire, a Self-Regulating heat cable. 

They both have advantages based on your home and requirements. 

Both heat cables are available in pre-determined lengths and come as a complete kit, ready for you to plug in.  The Self-Regulating heat cable can be customized to your exact requirements and requires an electrician to finalize all connections.  We strongly recommend the use of an electrician if you are not confident or comfortable with providing this wiring yourself.  A GFCI outlet is required for all connections to your home electrical system from exterior de-icer cables.

A key element for the proper function of heat or de-icer cable is the requirement to keep the roof and rain gutters free of debris.  Any debris can stop the water from flowing and covering the heat cable, not allowing it to work efficiently.  If the heat cable is covered with debris, ice may still form over the debris. 

You do not want to get behind on your heat cable working properly.  It's tempting to turn it off during the day or at night, but once you are behind with ice forming, it may be days until you can get fully thawed out again.  We suggest at least a timer or thermostatically controlled timer so you do not forget to turn the heat cable on when required. 

The biggest difference between the "Constant-On" cable and Self-Regulating is intitial installed cost and on-going costs.  Self-regulating cable will pay for itself in a few years as it will only use electricity as required, whereas the "Constant-On" cable is fully energized whenever power is applied to it, whether de-icing is needed or not.

Thermwire Constant-On Heat Cable is available in 6', 12', 18', 24' and 50' pre-terminated kits for DIY installations ion gutters and on roof or to prevent (or slowly thaw) pipes from freezing.

Call Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters at 509-536-4460 for advice, an accurate quote or installation.