Heat Tape Installation Helps St. Cloud Area Homeowners Prevent Roof Damage
Heat tape, also called heating cable, is an insulated electrical cord that runs through your gutter system, providing enough warmth to melt ice and snow so that it flows properly away from your home without freezing. For areas like St. Cloud, MN, that experience harsh winters and heavy snowfalls, it is common for melted snow and ice to drain off warm roofs, only to backup and refreeze once it reaches a cold gutter, creating an ice dam. This is a problem, because ice damming can damage your roof and soffit, as well as form dangerous icicles. By installing heat tape on your gutters, you have a great defense in helping prevent ice dams on your home caused by gutters.
What Makes Heat Tape So Important?
The primary purpose of heat tape is to prevent ice damming in your gutters, thus maintain their effectiveness. Ice damming can occur for several reasons including:
- Ambient heat from sunlight warms the shingles, causing an initial melt of snow on the roof
- Dramatic temperature fluctuations from day to night
- Missing or damaged ridge vents at the peak of a roof
- Poorly insulated attic space
- Roofs with a low pitch are more likely to experience ice damming
When ice damming occurs, moisture from your gutters seeps under the roof where it is able to freeze, thaw, and refreeze repeatedly. This can result in a leaky roof, which is very costly to repair. Not only that, but once moisture has penetrated your roof, the warmth of the summer months can lead to mold and mildew growth which is a major health hazard.
Minnesota’s Gutter Specialists
LeafGuard® of St. Cloud has been providing the central and southeast MN area with award-winning service since 1996. We’re happy to install heat tape on your existing gutter system or new gutter replacements. We will string it behind the gutter flashing for a secure fit that does not interfere with the gutter trough for better performance and longevity. Contact us today to learn more about our exciting gutter products and services.