Protect your Heat Tape from sharp edges of sheet metal, screws, nails and more with Cable Guard. Designed to quickly snap onto any heat tape cable that is 5-6mm thick by 8-13mm wide. Requires no tools to install. Can be cut to length for specific uses.
$13.95
1020 in stock
Cable Guard is a UV-resistant flexible PVC extrusion with an inner aluminum core designed to quickly snap onto any cable that is 5-6mm thick by 8-13mm wide. It provides protection against many common forms of damage including cuts, punctures and abrasions. It is simple to install and remove and requires no tools. Cable Guard can be cut with a standard tin snips if needed. Common applications include using Cable Guard to protect cable as it makes its transition into the gutter downspout, where cable is exposed on the bottom of the downspout system, where cable comes into contact with any sharp edge and where cable passes through sheet metal, such as through Leaf Guard, Gutter Helmet and other metal gutter screens.
“Heat Tape Pro did exactly what I needed it to do. Now I don’t have to worry about water leaking into my house, because I can tell when it’s working by the little light on the end of the cable.”
-Michael P.
Amazon Customer
“This heat tape works as advertised. It was delivered to me fast, and although it’s a little complicated to install, the documentation is good..”
-Shaun D.
Radiant Solutions Customer
“I install thousands of feet of heat tape every year. This is the best stuff I’ve found to protect my customers homes and give them the piece of mind they need.”
-Patrick B.
Professional Installer
Cable Guard is a protective sleeve that shields your heat cable from damage at vulnerable spots. It’s especially useful where cable enters downspouts, at the base of downspouts, where cable passes through gutter guards or crosses sharp edges that could cut the jacket.
Cable Guard is designed for most standard self-regulating heat cables in the 5–6 mm thick × 8–13 mm wide range, including our Heat Tape Pro.
Installation is quick and tool-free. The sleeve opens and presses over the heat cable, allowing you to add it during initial installation or retrofit later if you spot a potential wear point.
Yes. Each piece is 24 inches long but can be trimmed with tin snips to fit the exact length you need. One piece can often be cut to protect multiple small sections.
Anywhere your heat cable might touch a sharp edges, sharp points or abrasive surfaces. Common spots include: Where cable enters a downspout Transitions across metal gutter guards (Leaf Guard, Gutter Helmet, etc.) Roof drip edges or flashing corners Pass-throughs near sheet metal or siding details
Most projects only need one or two pieces. Measure the specific areas where your cable is exposed to hazards and order accordingly. Generally speaking, we recommend one cable guard per downspout so that you can protect both the entrance and exit of your heat cable into the downspout.
It’s built from UV-stable PVC with an embedded aluminum body. This combination makes it flexible for installation but strong enough to resist cuts, punctures and long-term weathering.
Cable Guard carries a 5-year warranty but is expected to last much longer. The UV-resistant materials are designed to handle constant exposure to sun, ice and freezing temperatures.
No. It doesn’t insulate or interfere with cable function. The heat cable continues to melt ice and snow normally. Cable Guard simply protects your heat tape from physical damage.
Yes. It’s designed for permanent outdoor use in all conditions. It won’t become brittle or degrade in sun, snow or ice.
Even a perfectly installed cable can rub or shift over time, especially through freeze-thaw cycles or under heavy snow. Cable Guard is cheap insurance that prevents premature failures and callbacks.
Cable Guard ships same day from our Minnesota warehouse don’t ‘cha know. (Assuming you don’t order too late in the day!). Orders placed over the weekend will ship the next business day.
Yes. You can add it later if you notice potential damage points. Just snap it over the existing cable.
PipeFreezePRO comes with one or more 30ft rolls of high-quality fiberglass tape, but you can use any tape with a temperature rating of 150º F and above. Self-adhesive aluminum foil tape can be used but avoid standard tapes, including electrical tape and duct tape because they lose their adhesion when exposed to heat. Remember, it’s imperative to cover the pipe/heat tape assembly with pipe insulation (1/2″ minimum thickness). Think four easy steps: 1) cable on pipe, 2) tape on cable, 3) insulation on pipe/cable and 4) tape on insulation.
Pipe Freeze PRO can be overlapped during installation. This is a fundamental advantage of self-regulating heat cable over cheap, constant wattage cable found in hardware stores is that it can be overlapped without risk of shorting out or catching fire. So yes, overlap away!
The amount of heat cable needed for pipe freeze prevention is determined by a couple of simple factors including: Length of pipe, diameter of pipe, distance to power supply and number of valves.
Most of the time, we do not recommend a spiral cable application because it’s simply not necessary. It requires 3x the cable to do the same job.
Therefore, simply use a straight, single run of cable affixed to the bottom of the pipe (think 6 o’clock position) using the provided fiberglass installation tape. Next, add 1 foot of cable for every valve because you will be wrapping the valve with cable. For pipes less than 1″ in diameter, a single cable run is sufficient. For larger pipes, two cable runs are recommended. Keep in mind that plastic pipes are less thermally conductive so you may choose to use two cable runs on larger plastic pipes to be safe. Finally, if your outlet isn’t close to the pipe you are treating, factor in enough heat cable to reach your outlet (Pipe Freeze PRO does come with a 36″ power cord).
Finally, you must install insulation on your pipe and heat cable assembly in order for the system to operate effectively. See instructions for further details.
The cable can be exposed to wetness but the thermostat must stay dry to function properly. Use Pipe Freeze PRO for pipe freeze prevention applications only.
Consider using Heat Tape Pro inside of open drain pipes as that cable is rated for use in wet areas.
We are frequently restocking products and the one you need will soon be available. You can make a request to be notified when out of stock items are re-stocked.
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Heat Tape Pro has the most comprehensive installation system that works on almost any kind of roof type.
For information about installing Heat Tape Pro on a Natural Slate Roof, Click here.
For information about installing Heat Tape Pro on a Synthetic late Roof, Click here.
Pipe Freeze Pro’s integrated thermostat turns power on and off automatically to the cable to save electricity. The thermostat is the lump located between the power cord and the heat cable. The thermostat triggers the cable to turn on at 37ºF and off at 50ºF, with a sensitivity range of +/- 4ºF. It’s a great feature that makes Pipe Freeze Pro unique among heat cables on the market.
Yes and no. The cable is approved for exposure to wet conditions but you should keep the thermostat dry for proper operation.
No. The thermostat need only be exposed to cold air. It does not hurt to have the thermostat attached to the pipe but it is not necessary. If you choose to attach it to the pipe keep in mind that the thermostat should not be covered with insulation.
No. You want the thermostat to react to the cold environment so it triggers the Pipe Freeze Pro to turn on.
Every Length of Heat Tape Pro has a cord length of 10-feet that is not included in the listed/state length. Meaning: A 100-foot Heat Tape pro will have a 100 feet of heated cable + a 10-foot unheated power cord.
Every Length of Pipe Freeze Pro has a cord length of 3-feet (36″) that is not included in the listed/state length. Meaning: A 30-foot Heat Tape pro will have a 30 feet of heated cable + a 3-foot unheated power cord.
Radiant Solutions has the most comprehensive installation system for Heat Tape that exists. We make accessories to install heat tape on almost any kind of roof.
Click here to learn about product specifically for Natural Cedar Roofs
Check out our full list of Frequently Asked Questions on our FAQ Page.
Take a Look at Our Heat Tape Installation Case Studies
Learn a Bit about Ice Dams and How & Why they Form
