Heated Gutter Services in Metro Detroit, MI
Using Heat Tape To Create A Heated Gutter
A heated gutter system consists of a gutter combined with self-regulating heat tape that is threaded through the gutters and downspouts beneath a gutter guard system. This heat tape works by warming the gutters during winter weather, effectively preventing issues caused by the accumulation of snow and ice.
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Why Heated Gutters?
If you own a home in a colder climate where snow and ice accumulate on your roof, you likely face the persistent worry of ice dams forming and causing leaks. These leaks can lead to water damage, which often turns into a serious and stressful problem for both you and your home.
During harsh winters, homeowners often face unprecedented damage caused by ice damming, which can lead to significantly higher repair costs.
The buildup of large icicles hanging from the roof’s edge above walkways and driveways also presents a safety hazard during the colder months. In extreme situations, the weight of accumulated snow and ice can cause gutters to pull away from the house, crack, or even fall completely.
To help prevent ice dams and gain peace of mind, one effective solution is to install heat tape in your gutters. This specialized cable generates enough heat to melt snow and ice, reducing the risk of damage without harming your home
What About Heated Tape on the Roof?
Unlike roof heat cables that lie on top of the roof and are snaked along its edge, heated gutter cables—sometimes called heat tape—are installed inside the gutters, just beneath a gutter guard system, and within the downspouts.
This approach, combining heated gutters with heated gutter guards, effectively prevents many of the issues commonly associated with roof heat tape or heat cables. The value of installing heat tape depends entirely on proper installation. Various methods exist for installing heat cables, with the zigzag pattern being the most popular; this creates a triangular pattern over the first three feet of the roof before the cable is run inside the gutter and downspout.
While installing heat tape on the roof can melt snow and ice on the surface, it does not stop ice damming within the gutters themselves. Ice can still accumulate and clog gutters because water flow becomes restricted. Moreover, this roof installation method has been shown to cause more damage over time than having no cable at all and may even void your roof’s warranty.
Heat Tape works better inside a Gutter System
We utilize Weather-Ready heat tape that is installed exclusively on the interior of the gutters and downspouts. This placement ensures that the shingles remain unaffected, the heat tape is protected from the elements, and the primary focus is on heating the gutters themselves. The system not only functions effectively but also maintains an attractive appearance. When a gutter guard is in place, it traps all the heat generated by the tape inside, helping the entire gutter system stay warm. As a result, when snow on the roof begins to melt, the water encounters a warm gutter and guard, which prevents the formation of ice and snow buildup within the gutters. This setup allows the gutters to handle only water, not ice, ensuring proper drainage during winter. For optimal performance, it is crucial to activate the heat cable just before snowfall begins. If you’re interested, you can learn more about how heat cables operate.
Heated cable for your gutters is essential in regions that experience severe winters and heavy snowfall because it helps prevent the formation of ice dams and stops water from seeping into your home.
Snow Guards
Snow Guards, which should not be confused with Gutter Guards, are valuable for roofs in snowy climates. Their purpose is to stop snow or ice from suddenly sliding off the roof in an avalanche-like manner, which could potentially damage landscaping or pose a danger to pedestrians below.
Ice Dams
Ice dams most commonly form due to uneven or insufficient roof insulation, or other factors that cause temperature fluctuations on the roof. These conditions allow snow to melt and flow down the roof, only to refreeze when it reaches the colder sections near the eaves. As ice accumulates along the roof’s edge or in the gutters, it traps more ice and water above it. This buildup causes water to back up under the shingles, eventually seeping into the attic, ceilings, and interior walls. Such water intrusion can result in costly repairs and may require mold remediation to address the damage.
What Causes Ice Damming?
There are a variety of reasons behind this problem. The most common reasons for ice damming are:
The pitch of a roof significantly influences the speed at which ice damming can develop, with lower pitches being more susceptible. Many homeowners notice ice dams forming near bathroom vents and chimneys, primarily due to temperature fluctuations in these areas.
Traditional roof heat cables often present limitations; they are typically installed on the roof surface, yet ice can still form above the heat tape, pushing the problem further up the roof where the protective features like the drip edge and ice/water shield are less effective.
When the heat tape melts snow, the resulting water can refreeze as it moves toward the gutter, which is usually colder because it is exposed to external air. To address this, heated gutter systems with gutter heat tape are used, warming the entire gutter and preventing ice buildup.
Without such systems, ice tends to accumulate initially in the gutters, leading many to wonder whether gutters themselves cause ice dams, although the real issue lies in the lack of effective heating solutions for the gutters.
Why Gutter Guards are an important part of a Heated Gutter System?
Gutter guards are primarily designed to prevent leaves and debris from clogging your gutters, but they also provide additional benefits. They help strengthen the gutter structure, protect the heat cable, and keep snow out of the gutter, allowing it to melt more quickly. When the heat tape is positioned inside the gutter, the entire system warms up, which helps melt snow as it falls and prevents ice buildup that could cause water damage inside your home or result in large icicles hanging from the roof or gutters. If the heat cable is left exposed to the elements, it is more likely to become damaged, and leaves and debris can get caught on the cable, reducing its effectiveness.
Are Heated Gutters Safe? What about potential fire hazards?
The Nuheat Weather-Ready heat tape installed by The Brothers that Just Do Gutters features a UV-resistant polyolefin outer jacket, a tinned copper braided layer, and a fire-resistant conductive core. Nuheat Industries also mandate equipment ground-fault protection on each heating cable circuit to help minimize the risk of fire caused by continuous electrical arcing, which can occur due to improper installation or damage to the cable. In certain situations, a licensed electrician may be required to make the final connection. Additionally, installing the heat cable directly on the roof’s surface can pose a potential fire hazard.
How much electricity does it use?
Your actual electrical usage will depend on the length of the cable run. The Nuheat Weather-Ready heat tape is designed to self-regulate its power output based on ambient conditions. When temperatures drop and ice or snowfall are present, the heat tape increases its power output to provide more heat. Conversely, as water and ice temperatures rise, the heat tape reduces its wattage and emits less heat, ensuring efficient operation. For additional information, you can refer to our detailed guide on the cost of heated gutter systems.
Heated Gutter Demonstration
We put together a video demonstration of how a heated gutter system works. We placed piles of snow on top of the gutters so that viewers can see them melt through a time-lapse video.
For best results, your heat cable should be turned on prior to the snowstorm… so that the heated gutter will melt the snowflakes as they land. Once there is an accumulation of ice or snow, it will melt but takes more time and energy.
Note: For this simulation, we started with a mound of snow already on the gutter; during an actual snowstorm the flakes will melt as they land on the heated gutter. Be sure to visit our many blogs on this topic.
Installing Heat Tape – Using Heat Tape To Create A Heated Gutter
When installing heat tape, there are several important factors to consider. One key aspect is the spacing, which depends on the roof’s pitch and the length of the soffit. The heated cable is typically installed into your gutters and downspouts, with the preferred method being placement under a gutter guard. We highly recommend using a gutter guard because it offers protection for the cable and helps trap heat, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the system. This approach also helps prevent many issues associated with ice dams.
For powering the heat tape, a pre-measured length of heat tape or a GFCI plug-in cord set can be connected to an existing outdoor outlet, which avoids the need for hardwiring. If there is no suitable outdoor outlet available or if your setup makes these options impractical, we advise consulting an electrician for the final power connection to ensure safety and proper installation.
Table of Contents
Why Heated Gutters?
What about Heat Tape on the Roof?
Heat Tape works better inside a Gutter System
Snow Guards
Ice Dams
What Causes Ice Damming?
Why Gutter Guards are an important part of a Heated Gutter System?
Are Heated Gutters Safe? What about potential fire hazards?
How much electricity does it use?
Heated Gutter Demonstration
Installing Heat Tape
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