Roof de-icer query

Sundancefisher · #1 10-16-2019, 08:49 AM

We have a lower slope roof with big skylights and in the winter water melts off the skylights and forms ice dams. I want to put something up that will hopefully fix the need for me to go up on the roof in winter.

I have seen roof de-icing cables and a mesh product once.

Is anyone using something that they could share if they are happy with the performance?

Thanks

Sun

fishtank · #2 10-16-2019, 11:10 AM

roof rake i got one from costco, or they have to those electric plug in de-icer you can mount on the roof , i would put one dedicated to the area where the icedam forms and run one from the skylight down to eaves.

DOGFISH · #3 10-16-2019, 11:42 AM

This is what I use. No need for a ladder, just toss them up from the ground or through an open window. Do not wait too long as it can be used as a preventative measure before there is too much ice. It makes channels under the ice so water will not dam.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/60-pi...lets/p/5548300

ATF · #4 10-16-2019, 12:20 PM

I used a set of those cables that zig zag along the roof above the eaves at our last house. They worked pretty good at keeping the dams from forming. Just plugged them in every once in a while and didn't need to run them continuously.

bobtodrick · #5 10-16-2019, 02:06 PM

Whenever we had a winter with heavy snowfall, especially if there were a lot of freeze thaw cycles we'd get ice dams and a couple of years had bad leaks in our living room.
Installed the zig-zag cables about 10 years ago. Never had ice dams since then and not a hint of a leak.

Sundancefisher · #6 11-24-2019, 06:06 PM

Purchased an 80 foot heater cord from Canadian Tire.

Ran the end along the gutter and part way down the down spout. With the remaining length I ran it down slope of the skylights in a VVVVV pattern. Also ran up the middle between windows.

I plug it in after a snowfall. Run it while the snow melts off the skylight then unplug.

No ice dams so seems to be doing the trick.

omega50 · #7 11-24-2019, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOGFISH

This is what I use. No need for a ladder, just toss them up from the ground or through an open window. Do not wait too long as it can be used as a preventative measure before there is too much ice. It makes channels under the ice so water will not dam.

https://www.homehardware.ca/en/60-pi...lets/p/5548300

Seems like a job for a modified drone