How To Install Heat Tape On A Roof

The average cost to install 100 feet of heat cable on the roof only is about 300 400 labor only excludes materials.

How to install heat tape on a roof.

Heat cable ul listed to prevent ice dams. Heat tape metal roofs. The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable. Self regulating roof heat tape systems only draw the power they need to get the job done.

Heat cables can protect your gutters from filling with ice breaking off and harming your roof. The term heat tape refers to another product an insulated electrical wire applied to water pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting. 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.

The most effective approach to this step is to apply as many clips as you can. Clip in the cable along the same zigzag pattern as the shingle clips. Roof and gutter de icing cables prevent ice from sticking around during sub zero temperatures. Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves.

It is used in conjunction with the s 5 base which needs to be purchased separately. 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. 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. Secure shingle clips to roof shingles using a flathead screwdriver making sure to align them in a zigzag pattern.

Disadvantages of installing heat cables. They take electricity to operate. To install roof heating cables you must first apply shingle clips to the structure. Thus your total cost when hiring a contractor will be 500 600.

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. 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.