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!
