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ice build up on roof&gutters
03/03/07 03:32 PM
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i live near buffalo ny in a area of older homes, my problem is ice builds at gutters until the weight brings them down this makes for a dangerous situation and costly one to replace. what can i do to prevent this, i have insulated attica area no help also have put in vents in roof no help. :
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egon
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: gennyman30]
03/04/07 05:53 AM
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Would it be possible to lay a heat tape in the gutters?
Egon 
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: egon]
03/04/07 12:33 PM
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i have been thinking about doing that,when contractor comes to replace gutters this time think i'll have him do the heat tape, do you know if it is expensive to opperate? thanks.
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egon
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: gennyman30]
03/04/07 02:35 PM
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I'm not sure of the cost of operation but I believe there are some that have an internal thermostat. They should also come in different wattage ratings and the length will also be a factor.
Egon
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stormy
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: gennyman30]
03/07/07 05:57 AM
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Hey Gennyman I thought you switched to Bud Lite--Got your problem solved--Sell your shack and move to Bermuda
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Pat
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: gennyman30]
03/10/07 09:50 PM
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Heat tapes are fairly low wattage but in standard lengths. I have never seen one in the store over 20 ft long. I have some in the 8-10 ft size range and they are about15-20 watts, I think. Do get the ones with a thermostat so they only run when needed. the fixed built in t-stats are set for about 38F, I think.
I have never investigated freezing gutters and down spouts. I wonder if the downspouts accumulate ice till they shut of the drainage of the gutters and then the gutters freeze. If that were the case, heat tapes in the gutters wold be the ticket.
Pat
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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egon
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: Pat]
03/11/07 09:19 AM
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http://www.deanbennett.com/wintergard-heat-tape-prices.htm
A site for a little heat tape installation. It comes in different configurations.
Note: The farther north you go the more prevalent it becomes.
Egon
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Pat
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: egon]
03/11/07 01:29 PM
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Egon, Thanks for the URL. That is a good info site. They answered some of my questions. Stuff like why can't you have heater tape inside a pipe. They have the stuff to do it.
I'm sure there is a way to incorporate heater tape or other electrical heating in certain zones of a pitched roof with composition shingles to prevent ice dams. Wish I had thought of that during construction.
With their stuff, keeping gutters ice free shouldn't be much of a problem.
Thanks again for posting that URL.
Pat 
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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egon
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: Pat]
03/11/07 04:25 PM
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Up in colder country seeing heat tape on roofs to prevent ice dams is not uncommon. The place I used to work at had lots of them. It was spring /fall ritual to turn off/ on the heat tapes.
Egon
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: egon]
03/11/07 08:31 PM
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Thanks this is site with info i needed. i have been looking at other roofs in area some have cable on them seems they held up ok, the only thing i don't like about tape is looks but guess this is only solution and will go with it.
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egon
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: gennyman30]
03/12/07 05:50 AM
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Before installing some ice dam heat tapes check with knowledgeable sources as to installation requirements. I do believe ??? there is more required than just laying out some heat tape.
Egon
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Pat
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Re: ice build up on roof&gutters
[re: egon]
03/12/07 11:07 AM
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Egon, Thanks for the insight, I had never heard of heat tapes on roofs before but thought it might be a good idea. If I had a clue of where there might have been ice dam potential I would have put electric heating on the underside of the roof decking in those places after the shingles were nailed on. It wouldn't take all that much electric power with a thermostatically controlled installation to prevent dams. I could even have just put a loop of PEX with the aluminum heat spreader thingies under there and let the hydronic system provide the heat at about 1/3 the cost of doing it with straight electric heat.
Pat
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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