Supporting Upstate New York, NY Metro, Long Island, New Jersey, and New England
LEP can design and specify an electrical heat tracing system to prevent ice dams from forming on roofs and gutters of residential homes and commercial buildings to prevent building damage. Ice dams can cause water ingress into a roof, physical damage to the structure, or a safety hazard due to ice falling onto unexpected pedestrians below.
There are several ways to create effective solutions to eliminate ice dams - from laying the heat trace cables directly in gutters and downpipes, to the traditional zigzag pattern that is installed on the edge of the roof line, to the newer technology of inserting heat cable into metal panels that can install on the roof itself or under the shingles of a roof. These systems are effective on all different type of roof styles including flat roofs, sloped roofs, shingled roofs, membrane roofs, and standing seam roofs.
Most of the systems are installed with self-regulating cable along with a thermostat or control unit that can measure both temperature and moisture. This provides maximum energy efficiency because the system operates only when necessary and the cable automatically adjusts its power output to compensate for temperature variations. Many of our deigns have been used for commercial buildings since we incorporate state-of-the-art control systems and connection kits as part of our design service making these systems ideal for buildings in light to heavy snow load areas.
The integrity of an electric heat trace roof and gutter system depends upon on how accurately the cable is selected and how well it is installed. An improperly designed and installed trace heating system could result in the system not performing the way the end user requires. Our decades of expertise will ensure that your system meets your design needs and is installed properly.
Self-regulating electric heating cable is perfect for heating your roof and/or gutter as it is designed to maintain temperatures up to 150°F (65°C) and can withstand temperatures up to 185°F (85°C). It is used for commercial and residential applications for metallic and non-metallic roofs, downspouts, and gutters.
Available in 120/208/240 volts and 5 or 8 watts/ft., self-regulating heating cable increases heat output as temperature decreases and, conversely, decreases heat output as temperature increases which makes this ideal for energy efficient roof and gutter applications. Industrial series cables contain two parallel bus wires electrically connected by a web of PTC (positive temperature coefficient) conductive polymer, with a fluoropolymer overjacket which has UV inhibitors that protect against damage from the sun.
Ice may accumulate in gutters and on the roof edge. To maintain a continuous path for melt water to run off we will design the system to route the cable using one run in gutters up to 6 inches wide and two parallel runs on gutters 6 to 12 inches wide.
Million Air Syracuse, NY - Parallel Deicing Cables
Million Air Syracuse, NY - Aluminum Roof with Deicing Cables
Ice may form in downspouts and prevent melt water from escaping from the roof. We recommend, and will provide, designs that run the heating cable inside the downspout and then back up the downspout.
While we can design and provide systems with T-splices from the roof to the downspouts, experience has shown that without an experienced installer, these splices can be unreliable.
If the downspout ends underground, our designs will extend the heating cable into a heated area or below the frost line.
Ice dams may form at the valley on a roof where two different slopes meet. To ensure that this doesn’t occur, we will provide a design to run the heating cable down the valley and then two-thirds up each valley with a double run of heating cable. The heating cable must extend into the gutter in order to prevent an ice dam that would keep the water from flowing off the roof.
Self-Regulating heating cable comes in many different types. We have access to many different options which include:
| 120 Vac | 208-277 Vac | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Up | 15A | 20A | 30A | 15A | 20A | 30A |
| 40F | 158' | 230' | 270' | 375' | 450' | 540' |
| 0F | 135' | 180' | 270' | 270' | 360' | 540' |
Edge-Cutter® is an aluminum flashing designed to be used as a heat conductive plate to aid in keeping snow and ice from roof edges. The system is for use only with self-regulating heating cables certified for use in roof and gutter applications as it is designed to be applied between the roofing and the roof substrate. It can be used with various roofing products such as asphalt shingles, aluminum, steel, and even slate. This system of feathered aluminum channel flashings is an aesthetically pleasing option to prevent ice build-up, icicles, or ice dams in roofing applications without the traditional V-shape outline of the heating cables on your roof.
Our quotes include our world-class cable as well as a full bill of materials for your project that includes everything you need to install the system.
Keeping snow and ice off your roof takes more than just designing and installing the correct electric heat trace system. Having proper insulation in your building and correctly installing gutters and downspouts are just as important in keeping your roof safe from snow and ice damage.
Many times, building owners will make the choice to not invest in gutters and downspouts with the view that the electric heat cable will just melt the snow and ice and the water will then freely run off the roof and on to the ground below.
Unfortunately, that is not the case as you can see from the pictures below.
What happens is that the heat trace does melt the snow and ice that it comes in contact with but then as the water begins to runoff the roof it changes temperature quickly to back under freezing and will cause ice to form beginning just under where the heat trace ends. Therefore, it is critical to have a robust gutter and downspout system as our systems also include lining the gutter and downspouts with heat trace in order to assure that the water can freely move down and away from the building.
Roof and gutter deicing systems are designed to prevent the formation of ice dams and ice blockages that can damage buildings. Ice dams occur when melting snow refreezes near roof edges, preventing proper drainage and forcing water beneath roofing materials. This can lead to leaks, structural damage, and costly repairs. A properly designed heat trace system creates a controlled path for meltwater to safely drain from the roof.
Self-regulating heating cable automatically adjusts its heat output based on surrounding temperatures. When temperatures drop, the cable produces more heat, and when temperatures rise, it reduces power output. This helps improve energy efficiency while maintaining effective snow and ice control. Because the cable continuously responds to environmental conditions, it is well suited for residential and commercial roof deicing applications.
Melting snow at the roof edge alone is often not enough to prevent ice buildup. If meltwater enters an unheated gutter or downspout, it can refreeze and create a blockage that prevents proper drainage. This can cause ice accumulation and water backup along the roof edge. Extending the heating cable through gutters and downspouts helps maintain a continuous pathway for water to move safely away from the building.
Heat trace systems can be designed for a wide variety of roofing materials and configurations, including asphalt shingles, metal roofing, slate roofs, membrane roofs, standing seam roofs, flat roofs, and sloped roofs. Different cable layouts and mounting methods are used depending on roof geometry and snow accumulation patterns. Roof valleys, overhangs, gutters, and drainage points are often key focus areas. A customized design helps ensure reliable performance and long-term durability.
Aluminum flashing systems, such as conductive roof-edge panels, improve heat transfer while creating a cleaner appearance than traditional zigzag cable installations. These systems can substantially reduce the amount of heating cable required while still protecting roof edges from ice dam formation. They can be installed beneath many roofing materials and are compatible with self-regulating heating cables. The result is an efficient and aesthetically appealing deicing solution that maintains effective snow and ice protection.
Our team is here to help you with all your Heat Trace needs.
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