Better alternative to heat tape for downspouts akos posted in energy efficiency and durability on january 31 2019 11 05am i ve been trying to deal with a frozen downspout for a couple of years now.
Gutter heat tape alternative.
Heat tape is a protected electrical cord that when used in gutters and pipes can stop them from freezing also known as gutter heat cables or gutter heaters heat tape helps to prevent ice dams from forming.
As the winter progresses the freezing and thawing will cause all kinds of damage to your house if you don t have a way to keep the water from freezing as it drips off your house.
If there are gutters make note of the number of downspouts.
This allows you to fairly compare prices of an 80 foot cable with a 90 foot cable.
Rain cups descend from the gutter to direct rainwater into a barrel.
Heat tape for gutters or gutter heaters are specifically designed to prevent ice dams that damage your house.
Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves.
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And once it s damaged cheap heat tape must be completely replaced leaving you with unnecessary hassle and expense.
The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable.
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Basic steps for measuring for heat tape purchase installation.
Gutter heating systems prevent roof damage during the winter months.
Observe the distance to the nearest.
This is a solution to two problems.
The term heat tape refers to another product an insulated electrical wire applied to water pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting.
To simplify comparisons calculate the cost of each cable per foot.
Measure the depth of the eave b note any valleys in the roof c that exist where the heat cable will be installed.
The barrel prevents water from pooling around the foundation or worse blasting between the foundation and earth like a fire hose a major cause of crawlspace flooding.
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Measure the linear feet of roof eave a that you want to protect.
Adding the rain barrel to the chains will certainly make this set up green and eco friendly.
If you live in a warmer climate like san antonio gutter heat tape is an easy solution to frozen gutters that can also increase the gutters lifespan.
Heat cables for roofs and gutters have widely varying price points primarily depending on the length of the cable.
The cheaper heat tape is easily damaged or nicked birds can wreck it squirrels even chew on it.
What gutter heating tape does for your gutters and roof.
That s why conifer gutter service insists on heavy duty commercial grade heat tape.