Roof De-Icing Cables in Southern NH and the Merrimack Valley

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of your roof when melting snow refreezes at the colder eaves. Once it forms, more melted snow gets trapped behind it and can work its way under your shingles, leading to water stains on ceilings and walls, moisture and mold in attic insulation, and damaged shingles, gutters, and drywall.

The cables are electric heating cables installed along the areas where ice dams form, roof edges, valleys, gutters, and downspouts. They gently warm those areas to create channels for melting snow to drain off the roof safely instead of refreezing. The goal is not to melt all the snow on the roof, only to keep water moving where it needs to flow.

Some homes are far more prone to ice dams than others. You may want cables if you get large icicles hanging from the roof edge, ice building up in the gutters, water spots on ceilings in winter, or ice dams in past winters, or if heavy snow collects in your roof valleys. Homes with complex rooflines or eaves that get uneven sun tend to see ice dams more often. We will tell you honestly whether your roof is a good candidate.

Roof heating cables have to be installed properly to work safely and effectively. Professional installation means correct cable placement, safe electrical connections, proper routing along the roof edges and gutters, protection of your roofing materials, and compliance with electrical safety standards. Improper installation can reduce how well the cables work and can even damage the roof.

The best time is before winter hits, especially if your home has had ice dams before. Installing ahead of the season is a smart preventative step that protects your roof and helps you avoid costly water damage once the snow and freezing nights arrive.