Hey guys was hoping i could get some advice on my roof. I bought some heat cord for the valleys on my roof but it comes with funky tabs that slide under the shingles and it being a newer roof i dont like the idea of lifting up the shingles to put the tabs in. Does anyone have any other suggestions of the best way to prevent ice dams on my roof. Thanks.

Scott

You could always move to Hawaaii, that should do it:D

What kind of tabs are they? How far would you have to peel a shingle up? Could you take a small gob of roofing tar and tar the cables on to the roof?

Jeff

You could always move to Hawaaii, that should do it:D

What kind of tabs are they? How far would you have to peel a shingle up? Could you take a small gob of roofing tar and tar the cables on to the roof?

Jeff

Don't know about the tabs but proper ventilation is the key to no ice dams. Eaves must be open, not packed with insulation, and plenty of vents near the ridge, peak, of the roof. Cool air flows in at the bottom and up along the inside of the roof to the peak. This keeps the roof a more even temp from bottom to top. If there is not enough ventilation the warm air rises to the top and is trapped and warms the roof near the peak. Snow melts at the top, runs down the roof until it hits an area that is cold enough to freeze it, usually very close to the outside wall. After adding insulation, that's important too, and additional roof vents to my old house, I tore of the cables the previous owner had put up. Never had another ice dam.

Don't know about the tabs but proper ventilation is the key to no ice dams.
BINGO.... You should not need the deicer if your attic is operating properly.

Cool thanks for the replies guys. I just bought this house and i live in northern michigan first winter in the new house. Maybe i will just keep the snow clear and see what happens. The wife really wants the heat cable up there but i am a little leary of doing that. Thanks again.

Scott

Hey Scott...Where in Michigan are you? If you do rake the snow off, Ace Hardware has a real nice American made snow rake. It is made from Aluminum, with extension handles availabe. It works a lot better than the one I made from 1/2" black pipe.

I am in Traverse City Tony. Hey thanks for the tip on the rake. You know how much they run pricewise?


Scott

I am in Traverse City Tony. Hey thanks for the tip on the rake. You know how much they run pricewise?


Scott

It was around 40 bucks for the rake and three 6' extensions. Well worth it to me.

I bought one like this a few years ago....works great but you work up a sweat!

http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/product.asp?PG=381

I agree with the others, watch and see what happens this winter. Check your attic during the winter, make sure there is no condensation on the inside of the roof where it is cold or un-insulated. The heating tape or cables is a real pain in the butt. I took all the stuff off that was on this house, it caused more problems than it fixed.

Cool got the rake today!! Thanks for the help guys much appreciated :)

Scott