De-Icing Cables
North Shore Electric is the leader in design and installation of de-icing systems. We install a reliable,
efficient, easy to use gutter and roof de-icing system using only proven quality heating cables.
There are many grades and quality of cables available today, in fact, there are huge differences.
The least expensive cable on the market today is the "Constant Wattage" cable available at any home center.
While the cost might be low up front, these cables are the least efficient. They run at full wattage all the
time they are on. They cannot come in contact with each other, which is often necessary and if they do they
will burn out and they typically only last a few years. A temporary fix at best.
Self-Regulating (SR) cables are of a higher quality. They vary the wattage along the length of the cable based
on the ambient temperature outside making them longer lasting with increased energy efficiencies. These cables
can come in contact with each other with no harm to the cable and they have a much more durable, heavy duty
jacket that will stand up to the most extreme elements on your roof and in your gutters.
But not all SR cables are treated equally.
With many years of proven reliable service, North Shore Electric uses a higher grade Heat Trace Self-Regulating
de-icing cable that not only is a tough commercial grade cable but backed by a manufacturer's 10 Year limited
Warranty.
North Shore Electric takes the guess work out of the installation and provides a complete, safe and long lasting
system. Call for more information and to schedule an evaluation for your home or building today.
De-Icing cables FAQ
- What do you call these cables?
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The official name is De-Icing cables. Some call them heat tapes, some call them gutter cables but what
you want to accomplish is to provide channels on the roof, gutters and downspouts to melt snow and ice
and to provide a clear channel for the water to flow off the roof and away from the building. So
De-icing is what they do.
-
The official name is De-Icing cables. Some call them heat tapes, some call them gutter cables but what
you want to accomplish is to provide channels on the roof, gutters and downspouts to melt snow and ice
and to provide a clear channel for the water to flow off the roof and away from the building. So
De-icing is what they do.
- Are De-icing cables required around the whole house?
-
You can install cables around the entire house if you're not sure where the cables are needed but most
times the de-icing system is installed in "problem" areas. If you have areas in the house that has water
damage or where outside gutters and downspouts have severe freezing, these are the area's to concentrate
the cables. By having a North Shore Electric representative come to your home, we will evaluate those
problem areas and design a reliable de-icing solution.
-
You can install cables around the entire house if you're not sure where the cables are needed but most
times the de-icing system is installed in "problem" areas. If you have areas in the house that has water
damage or where outside gutters and downspouts have severe freezing, these are the area's to concentrate
the cables. By having a North Shore Electric representative come to your home, we will evaluate those
problem areas and design a reliable de-icing solution.
- Why do I have water coming into my house in the winter?
-
When it snows followed by freezing weather, the gutters and downspouts may also freeze. Certain areas of
snow on the roof may start to melt when the temperature gets above freezing and if the gutters and
downspout are frozen, the water has nowhere to go. It may start to either flow over the edge of the
gutter and form huge icicles or worse, find its way back up the roof line and if it can find any nail
hole or roof opening, water will start running into the house. As it freezes that night the water will
expand and create a larger hole and allow more water will follow. This is called Ice Damming. De-icing
cables will keep the gutters and downspouts free of ice so these conditions don't have a chance to happen
in the first place.
Another cause of Ice Damming is when the attic insulation is not adequate or the attic is not ventilated properly. Sometimes an attic furnace will create these conditions. If your neighbor's roof is full of snow and you have areas that the snow has melted on your roof, you might need to investigate the reason this is happening. Give North Shore Electric a call to help you with the best solutions.
-
When it snows followed by freezing weather, the gutters and downspouts may also freeze. Certain areas of
snow on the roof may start to melt when the temperature gets above freezing and if the gutters and
downspout are frozen, the water has nowhere to go. It may start to either flow over the edge of the
gutter and form huge icicles or worse, find its way back up the roof line and if it can find any nail
hole or roof opening, water will start running into the house. As it freezes that night the water will
expand and create a larger hole and allow more water will follow. This is called Ice Damming. De-icing
cables will keep the gutters and downspouts free of ice so these conditions don't have a chance to happen
in the first place.
- How are the cables controlled?
-
There are manual controls, thermostatically controlled options and automatic controls. The Automatic control
is usually the most energy efficient solution but sometimes the cost and your situation may be better suited
for a manual control with a thermostat to add efficiency. The North Shore Electric's representative will help
you select the best control for your situation.
-
There are manual controls, thermostatically controlled options and automatic controls. The Automatic control
is usually the most energy efficient solution but sometimes the cost and your situation may be better suited
for a manual control with a thermostat to add efficiency. The North Shore Electric's representative will help
you select the best control for your situation.
- Why are self regulation cables better?
-
Self regulation cables are hearty, durable cables that will vary the output wattage of the cable based on the
ambient temperature outside. As the ambient temperature increases, the cables will reduce the wattage. This
has two advantages; you save energy during warmer days and extend the life of the cables at the same time. The
de-icing cables North Shore Electric uses will actually increase their wattage temporally when the temperatures
dip below freezing to make sure the gutters and downspouts stay clear. Choosing the right cables for the job is
just another reason to call North Shore Electric to help you make the best choices to protect your home or
building.
-
Self regulation cables are hearty, durable cables that will vary the output wattage of the cable based on the
ambient temperature outside. As the ambient temperature increases, the cables will reduce the wattage. This
has two advantages; you save energy during warmer days and extend the life of the cables at the same time. The
de-icing cables North Shore Electric uses will actually increase their wattage temporally when the temperatures
dip below freezing to make sure the gutters and downspouts stay clear. Choosing the right cables for the job is
just another reason to call North Shore Electric to help you make the best choices to protect your home or
building.
- Are de-icing cables safe?
-
North Shore Electric only uses UL listed and CSA certified de-icing cables; that means you're getting the
safest cable. The system must also be installed in a code compliant way following the National Electrical
Codes requirements as well as all of the manufacturer's instructions. Only trained and qualified electricians
can safely make the correct installation. The cables require the proper Ground Fault protection, the
gutters/downspouts need to be grounded and the wiring that feeds the system must be sized for the systems
demand. North Shore Electric has the experience and the knowhow, call today for an evaluation.
-
North Shore Electric only uses UL listed and CSA certified de-icing cables; that means you're getting the
safest cable. The system must also be installed in a code compliant way following the National Electrical
Codes requirements as well as all of the manufacturer's instructions. Only trained and qualified electricians
can safely make the correct installation. The cables require the proper Ground Fault protection, the
gutters/downspouts need to be grounded and the wiring that feeds the system must be sized for the systems
demand. North Shore Electric has the experience and the knowhow, call today for an evaluation.
