Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

oldmanshiba t1_j5tkiap wrote

I use a roof heater. I was getting ice dams so bad that it would rain inside my living room. I run the heated cable in a zig zag up to where my roof pitch changes. I plug it in at the start of a storm and unplug it after. Probably costs me $20 extra in electricity each month. Haven’t had ice dams since.

4

zeeke42 t1_j5tqkk8 wrote

The zigzag heated cables work great. Unfortunately that won't solve OP's problem for this winter, but it'd be a great summer project.

1

oldmanshiba t1_j5uh6x4 wrote

The first year I got it I just put it on top of the snow and let it melt through. I don’t think it’s too late.

1

zeeke42 t1_j5upcz0 wrote

Personally the idea of climbing around on a snowy/icy roof scares the crap out of me. I don't see how to do it right (zig zag with clips holding it down) without going on the roof. I tried tossing it out the overlooking windows at my old house after we had ice dams, but that didn't work worth anything.

1