Madison Roof De-icing Systems

Roof de-icing systems are a valuable asset for any home. The systems can prevent serious roof or water damage, and they can increase the value of your home. A variety of roof de-icing solutions are available, ranging from heat trace cable running along the eaves of your roof, thin roof heating panels that can be installed discreetly under the roof shingles, or more.

Regardless of what system you choose, taking care of your roof is taking care of your home. While installing a roof de-icing system can be a smart investment that helps you avoid potential repair or water damage costs in the future, there are other things that homeowners can do to further ensure the “health” of their roof.

Caring for your Roof

When it comes to caring for your roof, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

❄  Roofs with multiple-layers of shingles have a shorter lifespan than single layered roofs.

❄  Make sure your attic is well ventilated. An unventilated or poorly ventilated attic can reduce roof lifespan.

❄  It is important to have a well-insulated attic. Heat loss from the living area escaping into the attic can contribute to the formation of ice dams. The warm attic melts snow on the roof, but when the runoff reaches the colder eaves it refreezes, causing a ridge of ice that eventually builds up and prevents additional runoff. Water pools behind the ice and seeps into every tiny imperfection in the roof. When the water refreezes at night it expands, accentuating the cracks and imperfections. Repeated instances of ice dams each winter can lead to potentially costly roof and water damage.

❄  Keep tree branches from rubbing on the roof and avoid the accumulation of leaf debris. Both of these conditions can damage or shorten the life of roof shingles.

❄  Severe weather such as hot summers and extreme winter storms can affect your roof. Weather fronts that introduce dramatic temperature swings within a 24-hour period can also threaten a roof's lifespan because of the rapid expansion and contraction of the roofing materials.

Roof Heating Options

The most popular roof de-icing system for heating roof eaves and preventing ice dams is our RoofHeat STEP^® system. This proven system features a thin polyethylene heating element that is installed discreetly under the roof shingles. The only evidence of the roof heating element is the lack of snow on the roof during a snowstorm!

This unique system has been around for a long time and has become a favorite roof de-icing solution for roofing professionals. The flexible heating panels can be nailed and stapled through during installation and cut onsite. The semi-conductive element is also self-regulating. When the ambient temperature rises, the electrical resistance increases, causing the consumption of electricity to decrease. This prevents the element from overheating and ensures energy-efficient operation. RoofHeat STEP is also safe for heating metal roofs.

Another affordable roof heating option is to run self-regulating heat trace cable through gutters and downspouts. The cable can be easily routed along the gutters to facilitate runoff, and prevent heavy ice from damaging the gutters. The cable is also commonly installed over the roof eaves in a zigzag pattern to break up ice dams and provide channels for runoff.

Self-regulating heat cable is also a common and very affordable roof de-icing solution. The heat cable can be routed through the gutters and downspouts to facilitate runoff and prevent heavy ice and snow from building up and damaging the gutters. The cable is also typically run along the roof's edge in a zig zag pattern to break up ice dams and allow runoff to reach the gutters. Although this is not as "tidy" an option as the discreet low-voltage roof heating panels, this is an effective and affordable roof de-icing solution.

Warmzone understands what it takes to provide the components and design an effective roof heating system for residents in Madison and the surrounding area. We offer several trusted roof heating options, and each option can be easily customized for just about any type of roof and configuration and budget. We’ll work with you to provide the best solution for your budget and roof de-icing needs. Call a roof heating expert today at 888.488.9276. We’re happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have – without any heavy-handed sales pressure.