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Random Quote: Tell the girl at the bar that I named my boat "AFTER YOU".
Does anyone use the gutter heating cables that you plug into an outlet? Our area got hit with a lot of snow this year and many homes have water intrusion from melting and refreezing snow/ice. I know about making sure that the house is properly insulated to keep heat out of the attic, and I will have the water barrier put on the roof when I have it re-shingled (with the roof only 15 years old, I would like to hold out for a couple of more years). I also knocked as much snow off the roof as I can with a 12' pole. However, the gutters on the north side of the house freeze overnight after a partial melt during the sunny day and there is nowhere for the water to go but into the eaves once the sun warms the roof the next day.
I figure if the cables keep the gutter from freezing, I could put them in the gutter and just plug them in the once or twice a year there is much snow. We don't get enough snow in normal years to justify putting the permanent cables in the gutters and along the bottom foot or two of roof.
Has saved me many sleepless nights with regards to my parents house. Before ice cables it was me on the roof chopping ice without damaging the shingles to stop ice dams no fun ice dams that is. These cables work great plug them in and no worries. Just don't leave them out all year weathering in the sun or you'll get brittle cables then rot then shorts
Early December to mid-March would probably cover the period we are likely to have enough show to matter. It looks like I can get two 24' cables for around $200. HD is out of stock and not getting them in again this year.
as a short term solution you could dump cupfuls of snow melt into the gutters and above the opening to the downspout.
and on the roof also.
The key to preventing the water intrusion is to melt some paths thru the ice dam every 10' or so to let any trapped water drain into the gutters. That's why the heating cables are installed like "WWWWW's". If you can't determine the upper limit of the ice dam it should be about equal to the "overhang" + a foot or so.
__________________ Any Port in a Storm!....currently seeking shelter.
I have been tempted to toss some icemelt on the roof. The stuff the sell around here is a mix of magnesium chloride and sodium chloride. I haven't seen the calcium chloride for sale as snow melt around here. I gather it is supposed to be gentler on the roof and gutters. I worry that the icemelt, with its sodium chloride in it, might lie in the gutter and corrode the gutter.
You need to have adequate ventalation so this does not happen as well as sufficient ice and water shield. Insulation can only do so much if the roof isn't vented then it makes no difference if the heat can't get out and it melts the snow from inside the attic.
__________________ 2007 Lowe FM 185
2007 Mercury Verado 150
Motorguide Wireless
Lowrance LMS 111 HD
Mercury Temptest Plus prop
Ice dams from heat loss are only one part of the problem. Secondary is the freeze/thaw from roof color or plain old solar issues. Our house in Northern Maine is very well insulated and the roof was covered 100% with ice and water shield maintaining double coverage in the four valleys as well as the over hangs. It has all proper drip and ridge venting possibilities installed. We still have minor ice problems. These problems would be much worse if we lived there full time versus turning the heat down to 62 for two weeks at a time.
FWIW roof is 2 X 12 on 16 centers with full ridge and drip vents, 5/8 sheathing, fully baffled, 10 inch FG insultation with 3/4 inch one sided, foil faced polyico below, that was taped with foil then covered with SR or T&G applied over that.
__________________ 2003 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest w/ twin 200 HPDI's
I've never been a racist. I don't like the white half either.
Location: Solomons, Maryland / Now just visiting Marathon
Posts: 4,683
Mis-Rest, how can you have a serious side with this sig?:
Eating corn is like leaving a little bookmark in your poop.
Do you read your poop?
Sorry, but you are crackin' me up!
That's a pretty funny sig right there!
Ok, but seriously....
I have leaks in three places because of the ice dams.
No worries about weight of snow, roof is a 50-55 degree pitch.
Solar effect melts it into the gutter and dadburn stuff freezes.
What about taking a roll of 6" flashing, shoving it up under the bottom shingle then bending it down behind the gutter? At least it won't use electricity and hopefully will never have to fuss with it again.
Steve, Everyone knows about corn and poop. I heard the line on Two and a Half Men on TV one night and my wife and I had tears running down our faces we were laughing so hard. So I stole it for a while.
Is the ice and water coming out from behind the trim or is leaking into the house? The flashing won't work that low on the roof anyway. I wouldn't go tossing cupfuls of ice melt up onto the roof but you could fill the legs of some panty hose and make ice melt filled tubes and place them along the dams. Otherwise it's chop ice with an axe carefully.
I'm sure David can add usefull information.
__________________ 2003 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest w/ twin 200 HPDI's
I've never been a racist. I don't like the white half either.
I see your from the MD/DC area which had a record snow fall. If you didn't have any issues your probably don't have to worry about another snow like that for years and years to come. You guys had more snow this year then you have in 10 years.
Gutter Heating Cables 
and on the roof also.
Cornsilk must be getting to you
