How To Do Roof Ice Melt Tapes

Secure shingle clips to roof shingles using a flathead screwdriver making sure to align them in a zigzag pattern.

How to do roof ice melt tapes. As our page top photo illustrates when the roof heating cables are operating they melt channels through the ice forming along the roof edge. Typically roof heating cables or de icing heat tapes are installed along the lower roof eaves in a v pattern or zig zag pattern in the area where ice forms. Unique heat tape cable systems for the roof valley and the roof flashing on metal roofs. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams.

Heat tape metal roofs. Clip in the cable along the same zigzag pattern as the shingle clips. Secure the roof cable with brackets affixed to each shingle where the roof cable bends. Heat cables also known as heat tape or roof ice cables are often the first things that come to mind for homeowners attempting to deal with ice dams.

A metal roof is great for preventing snow build up because the sun heats up the metal and causes the snow to slide right off. First and foremost i t is very important to understand that heat cables do not prevent ice dams from forming or get rid of them altogether. Heat cable ul listed to prevent ice dams. Mount the heat sensor to.

See below for a shopp. Take one end of the cable and begin at the corner of your roof.