Ice dams can do a lot of damage to your home. Clover Electric has the solution. We install roof and gutter de-icing systems that maintain a continuous path for roof snow melt to drain from the roof through the gutter and downspouts. Our system provides an extra benefit in the fact that they are self-regulating and automatically adjust their power output to compensate for temperature variations making this the very best roof and gutter de-icing system for your home.
What Causes Ice Dams?
Inside the home warm air rises and escapes through the ceiling and roof. If there isn’t sufficient insulation between the roof and the snow outside, the snow on the roof can melt, causing the water to flow down to the coolest part of the roof where it refreezes. This newly formed ice causes a dam, or heavy mound of ice. The dam causes any additional melted water to accumulate behind the dam, where it can enter the roof, causing water leaks and damage inside your home.
Ice dams can also drip and refreeze over gutters, resulting in icicles. These icicles can add excessive weight to your gutter system, bending or even pulling the gutters right off your home. This can lead to extensive damage to both the gutters and your home’s exterior.
How Ice Melt Systems Work
Roof ice melt systems are designed to keep a clear drainage path open during freezing weather. Instead of letting snowmelt refreeze at the roof edge and back up under shingles, a roof ice melt system gently warms the areas where ice typically forms. Cable is installed along the lower roofline and often continues into the gutters and downspouts. These cables provide heat, preventing the gutter channel and downspout from freezing solid and causing overflow, icicles, and gutter damage. Our systems use self-regulating cable that adjusts output based on temperature, helping deliver reliable protection during Cleveland’s frequent freeze-thaw cycles.
What to Expect During An Installation
Roof ice melt system installation should be planned around how your home actually freezes and drains, not just where it “looks icy.” A professional typically starts by identifying problem areas like roof edges, valleys, and gutters/downspouts where ice blockages form. The heating cable is then placed to create a continuous melt path from the roofline into the gutter and downspout, so water can drain instead of refreezing. Because this is an electrical system exposed to winter weather, safe routing, secure attachment, and proper electrical connections are critical. After installation, the system is tested to confirm it’s operating correctly. The goal isn’t to melt all snow, but to prevent the damaging ice buildup that leads to heavy icicles, overflow, and ice dams.
Preventing Ice Dams
Gutter heat systems are an effective way to prevent ice accumulation in and around a home’s gutters. Installing a gutter heat system is a job best left to a professional electrician. Clover Electric installs gutter heat systems throughout the Greater Cleveland area. So before the cold weather arrives this fall, have the electrical pros at Clover Electric install a gutter heat system on your home. When the snow begins to fall on your roof this winter, you’ll be glad you called!
