7 Tips for Installing Heat Tape in Open Downspouts

Master heat tape installation in open downspouts with these 7 professional tips. Ensure proper protection and avoid common installation mistakes.

‘Heat Tape’ vs. ‘Heat Cable’

What is the difference between heat tape and heat cable?  In short: nothing. The terms heat cable and heat tape are used interchangeably to describe a special class of wires that use electrical resistance to generate heat. Heat tape and heat cable are the most common variations of the nomenclature but many others exist, including heat coils, […]

How to Install Heat Tape on Flat Roofs: Part One

This is the first in our series outlining the installation of roof de-icing cable on flat roofs. For the purpose of this discussion, ‘flat’ roofs will include the two primary membrane systems in North America; EPDM (commonly referred to as ‘rubber’) and TPO (Thermoplastic polyolefin). Regardless of slope, Heat Tape PRO self-regulating heat cable is […]

9 Most Common Ice Dam Locations on Your Roof

Here are the most common locations where ice dams do and do not happen on residential properties. This will help in terms of understanding where the most common heat tape installations occur so you can create a targeted approach to ice dam management

Common Pipe Freeze Heat Tape Problems and Solutions

Pipe Freeze PRO™ is a heavy-duty product designed to last many years under demanding conditions. When problems do happen, the vast majority of those issues can be diagnosed using our comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide for Pipe Heat Trace Cable

Heat Tape Installation: 7 Questions You Should Ask Heat Cable Installers

We’ve discovered there are many contractors around the country who call themselves heat tape ‘experts’ despite the fact that they know very little about the topic. If you are hiring someone to install heat cable on your home, here are some tips to ensure the best outcome possible.

How Hot Does Heat Cable Get?

One of the most common questions we get asked is about how hot heat cable gets. People are naturally concerned about whether or not heat cable will pose a potential threat to a wide variety of things, including roofing material, plastics, dry leaves and more

What Is the Best Way to Prevent Ice Dams?

In terms of ice dam prevention there are no truly “cheap” solutions. Homeowners must choose from the lesser of three evils: 1) Spend a lot on architectural enhancements, 2) Spend a lot on professional roof shoveling or risk a lot doing it themselves or, 3) Spend a fair amount on heat cables.

How to Choose the Right Heat Cable Clip for Any Roof Type

Use this visual index to choose the right heat cable roof clip for your application. There’s more than one way to skin a cat and there is likewise usually more than one way to install heat tape on any particular roof system. Call us if you need help and don’t find the answer below

How Ice Dams Cause Leaks

Ice dam basics. Let’s look at a cross-section to discuss the physics. This diagram illustrates the movement of water as it leaks through the roof system and into the home. We also introduce the concept of the “origin zone” (the leading edge of ice dams where leaks originate)