Heat Tape Installation

The most reliable way to prevent ice dams

Ice dams form when heat from inside the house melts snow on the upper portion of the roof. That meltwater flows down toward the eave, which stays cold because it extends beyond the insulated living space, and refreezes. The ice builds up into a dam that traps more water behind it.

Heat tape solves this at the point where ice dams actually form. By keeping the eave, gutter, and downspout above freezing, the cable ensures that meltwater drains off the roof and through the gutter system rather than refreezing and accumulating. It does not fix the underlying attic heat loss, but it reliably prevents the ice dam from forming in the meantime.

What we install

We install self-regulating heat cable, which adjusts its heat output based on ambient temperature. Unlike older constant-wattage systems that run at full power regardless of conditions, self-regulating cable draws more power only when temperatures drop low enough to require it. The result is better performance during the coldest stretches and lower operating costs compared to older technology.

We cover the full drainage path: along the roof edge in a zigzag pattern to create drainage channels through the ice, flat through the gutters, and down through the downspouts to the discharge point. A system that heats only the roof edge but leaves the gutter and downspout cold will still produce ice blockages lower down in the system.

Installation process

We start with an on-site assessment of your roofline, gutter system, and electrical access. We measure the linear footage of coverage needed and review the installation pattern with you before beginning. Installation involves securing the cable along the roof edge, routing it through the gutters and downspouts, and connecting to a dedicated circuit or outlet. Most residential installations are completed in a single visit.

We also check the condition of your gutters and downspouts during the estimate. A heat tape system works best in gutters that are properly pitched and free of blockages. If we find issues that would affect system performance, we address them before or during installation.

Already had ice dam damage? Remove it first.

If you have an active ice dam, we recommend removing it before installing heat tape. We offer professional steam ice dam removal and can schedule both services together. Removing the current dam first gives us a clean starting point and prevents water that is already pooled behind the dam from continuing to infiltrate the roof assembly while the new system is installed.

Service area

We install heat tape throughout Northern Indiana including South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury and surrounding communities in St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaGrange counties.