With snow in the Ohio region, you as a homeowner are trying everything you can to keep the snow off your roof and gutters to prevent water leaks and extra weight on the channels. One great way to accomplish both is to install snow guards. Snow guards avoid ice and snowpack from falling off the roof and onto individuals or animals below. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top four reasons you should install snow guards on your Cincinnati gutters.

1. Utilize on steep roofs

If your home has a steep roof, you have a much higher chance of the snow starting to melt and sliding off the roof onto an unsuspecting individual walking past your home. Since the sun shines during the day, the bottom portion of the snow melts and then when night falls, the water refreezes causing snowpack that can easily slide off the roof. Installing snow guards on your Cincinnati gutters would prevent the massive avalanche of snow from hitting a pedestrian. Flat roofs do not appear to need snow guards, as they do not have the falling of the snowpack as steep roofs do.

2. Aesthetics

If you are worried about the aesthetics of what snows guards will do to the look of your home, do not be. Snow guards themselves are much more pleasing to view than the corrosive material your gutters are made of. In addition, your exterior painting job should be bright and intact if you had power washing performed in the summer or fall, so the snow guards will not even be noticed. The snow guards will make your home look much better by hiding some of the rust that is currently in your older drainage system.

3. Utilize on metal roofs

Another critical reason to install snow guards on your Cincinnati gutters is if you have roofing material that is made of metal or wood. Metal is often a choice for many individuals who replace their roof due to the longevity that a metal roof brings. However, metal is a slippery slope, literally, and it is advised to place snow guards on your gutters to prevent a massive snowfall from the metal roof. If you choose not to, the troughs often act as a catch, causing additional ice formation and making the problem even worse. Asphalt roofs do not appear to need snow guards.

4. Cincinnati gutters and safety

The last essential reason to place snow guards on your Cincinnati gutters is for safety. If you get a lot of snow, which Ohio does, you will not know when it is going to fall off and potentially bury you from the force of the snowfall. To keep the roof safe, as well as the gutters and yourself or any passersby, you need to install snow guards to your drainage system. They will prevent snowfall as well as ice formation in the drains.

As you can see, there are multiple reasons to install snow guards on your home. Whether you proceed for aesthetics, because you own a steep roof, or have a safety concern, you will be glad you made the choice to install snow guards. If you follow our advice on the pros and cons of investing in snow guards on your Cincinnati gutters, you will have the best looking, and safest home in all of Ohio!

With winter currently in Ohio, you may have a bunch of snowpack on your roof and in your gutters. How can you prevent snow and ice from piling up in your drainage system? In this short guide, you will be informed of the top five common questions and answers about installing heated Cincinnati gutters.

1. Advantages

One of the most significant benefits of heated Cincinnati gutters is the prevention of ice dam formation. This is caused when the gutter system goes through refreezing of melted snow and ice. This constant refreezing and ice accumulation can cause damage to your drainage system as well as your home, including your exterior painting. Heated gutters prevent this as they stay warm preventing the refreezing process from occurring. Without these heat cables, your gutters could be weighed down with ice, causing them to fall off the house. In this case, you would need installation of new gutters and possible remodeling to your home.

2. Electricity usage and installation

The heat cable will be installed within the Cincinnati gutters at the bottom and led through the downspout. The ends of the cable will be then be placed into the electrical panel by a licensed electrician. The power usage of the heat tape will depend on the ambient temperature in the location in which you live. The heat tape will use more wattage when the temperatures are cold and will use less wattage when the temperature rises.

3. Is the product installed on the roof?

The heat cable is not attached to the roofing material. It is installed inside the gutter where it cannot be seen and to also keep it safe from high winds and other weather conditions. It also works better if it is placed in the gutter rather than the roof. Avoid power washing in the winter where the water could freeze and cause ice if you do not have heated gutters. Heating up the gutter allows the prevention of ice dams and keeps the drainage system flowing smoothly over the entire Ohio winter!

4. Can the heat tape be used without a guard?

Once the heat tape is placed in the gutter, it is strongly advised that you do place a gutter guard. This will give the heat tape better protection from the weather. It is not a requirement, but without a guard, the cable is wholly exposed which could allow damage to occur. Much like an HVAC system, you want a cover to the fan to protect it so it can do its job correctly.

5. Heated Cincinnati gutters and safety

The heat cable is not a fire hazard to your home. It is constructed out of a fire resistant core that is covered with copper and has a UV resistant polyolefin outer covering. It is water resistant as well and has a ground fault protection on each circuit to reduce the danger of any type of fire from improper installation or if damage were to occur to the cable. Just like chimney repairs are needed from time to time to prevent a fire and keep you safe, make sure to clean out your gutters as needed and keep them maintained. If you do not have time, call in a handyman to maintain the gutters for you.

As you can see, there is a lot of information to be learned about heated gutters. Whether you are now knowledgeable on the electricity to power the heated channels, the top advantages of the gutters, or the fire safety issue of the drainage system, you will make the best choice for your family. If you follow our advice on the top five common question and answers about installing heated Cincinnati gutters, you will have the most well-draining gutters in all of Ohio!