Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Aug 16, 2002 07:42am | #1

   Haven't done it.

   I'm picturing a possibility of pinching it and electrifying your whole roof. Could be a way of getting rid of bird problems though.

   :>)

   Those things have a very limited lifespan, in my experience tho'

   Excellence is its own reward!
2. 
   DavidThomas | Aug 16, 2002 07:50am | #2

   Of course building it right in the first place is the best solution.

   I've used that heat trace in the ground and in groundwater wells for years at a time (I am a professional, do not attempt this at home). It is pretty tough stuff.

   And under the roof, the heat trace wouldn't be subject to UV, rain, sliding snow, bird poop, etc. It would work as well (a 1/2 A$$ed solution to a serious problem) as it does above the roof. But if you are willing and able to get that far into the roof, why not just do a cold roof and skip the heat trace?

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
3. 
   rob_susz | Aug 18, 2002 06:25am | #3

   Tell me what else you have tried to prevent ice damming.

   -Rob

1. 
   PostnBeam | Aug 19, 2002 07:12am | #4

   Trying out hydronic heating in the valleys of a log home. (steel roof) Waiting to see results here in a few months. (2X6 T+G, 2x10 rafters over, insulation, sheathing...then decided on tubing it...sooo ran the tubing, 2x4 sleepers, foam board, sheathed it again, THEN the roof material.) This thing ain't going anywhere.

1. 
   rob_susz | Aug 19, 2002 03:24pm | #5

   It's disappointing to me to hear all the trouble people go through to fix these symptoms.  Ice damming is a symptom of air leakage from within the house.  People knowledgable in Building Science treat this problem with air sealing and diagnostic tests, etc.

   The problem is the air leakage/heatloss.  The symptom is ice damming.

   You already paid for the heat that melted the snow in the first place.  By installing heat cables or hydronic tubing you are buying more heat to fully melt it.

   I do admire the efficiency of delivering this precious energy right to where it can melt the snow.  I wonder why people don't instead decide to simply remove insulation or drill more holes in the tops of their houses.  It's quite a bit easier and seems it should be cheaper.

   -Rob

1. 
   PostnBeam | Aug 21, 2002 06:19pm | #6

   Youv'e sparked my mind...tell me more about ice damming, causes, and solutions, if you don't mind.