Roof Heating & Deicing

This winter, the Midwest and East Coast have been battered by a series of ice and snow storms. In the wake of those storms, the national news has frequently shown roofs collapsing under the weight of the ice and snow. Ironically, the roofing industry is always talking about cool roofs and new products that help roofs to reflect the summer heat, but it is often helpful to have warm roofs in some seasons & climates.

The cycle of snow and ice melting and refreezing can form ice dams on roofs which stop water from draining during a refreeze cycle. The built-up ice, snow and water can lead to serious damage to rooftops, including total roof failure and collapse.

The need for rooftop heating doesn’t come as a surprise to the roofing industry, although it may to home and business owners. However, there are plenty of products on the market that can help.

• Heat Trace Products LLC uses a series of self-regulating heat cables. The cables provide a free path for water to drain off the roof as well as de-ice the gutters.
• STEP Roof Deicing has created heated mats that are installed underneath the shingles or other types of roofing materials. The company also offers gutter heaters to keep the gutters free-flowing and able to drain away water.
• Bylin Engineered Systems has rim panel and heating cable products. The rim panels help to prevent icicles from forming on the eves. The zigzag heating cables are designed to target areas that a prone to ice dams.
• Engineered Roof Deicing offers locking panels with direct heat transfer are a capable of being fitted with different sizes of heating cables.

These products are great for climates with a great deal of snowfall. However, they may not be necessary in warmer, southwest climates such as Arizona and New Mexico, which tend to experience heavy, yet relatively infrequent snowfalls. If you fear the snow load is causing damage, it is better to simply hire a professional roofing company to come in a clear the snow from your roof — a one-time cost, versus a fairly expensive investment. However, if frequent snow becomes a problem, check with a professional roofer to see if one of these products can work for you.