Radiant Solutions Heat Tape
Installation Guide
Pro-Tips for Installing Heat Tape
- It’s a good idea to review your project before work begins. One of the first things to figure out before a cable system is installed is the location of the power supply. This is usually an outlet near the ground or under the eave. In either case, make sure to factor in enough cable to reach the location. Heat Tape PRO comes with a 10 foot, unheated power cord that should be accounted for in your installation.
- One piece of advice we offer (and emphasize often) is to “think like water” when installing roof and gutter de-icing systems. Again, the purpose of these systems is to create melted pathways that allow water to escape the area and run to an area where it won’t cause damage. Water flows downhill and as long as your cable provides a path that allows gravity to help, the cable will do its job.
- Some people install all of the system clips first, then run the cable. Others mark out the clip locations with chalk first and install the clips and cable at the same time. Having a two-person install team can affect the order of events and the process used. Find the approach that works best for you.
- Plan your installation and double check your measurements to ensure you have chosen the right cable length for your application. Think through the best path for your cable pattern, factoring in variables such as downspout and power source locations. Some installers use chalk to mark out clip locations prior to clip installation to ensure proper spacing.
- Before installing Heat Tape Pro, make sure the roof, gutters and downspouts are free of debris or any combustibles.
- Check the cable prior to installation for any signs of mechanical damage such as cuts or gouges through the outer jacketing.
- Before uncoiling the cable, plug it in for a few minutes to verify proper operation. Both the illuminated plug and GlowCap™ LED end cap should glow, indicating the cable is receiving power. The cable should warm up to the touch within a few minutes. Unplug the cable prior to installation.
Knowing How Much to Get
If you have a shingled roof system the simplest way to figure out how many clips you need is to use our Heat Cable Calculator. Simply enter the eave length, the eave depth and answer a couple other simple questions and the Calculator will tell you everything you need to order for your ice dam prevention system, including the number of heat tape roof clips. If you can math, most of our pro installers use a 1.2 multiplier to calculate how many roof clips you need for their heat cable system. In other words, multiply the number of feet of eave you have times 1.2 to get the number of Grip Clips required for a typical zig-zag heat cable system. Therefore, a 10 foot length of eave will need about 12 clips. Remember, it’s smart to buy a couple extra clips just in case.