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Posted by Paul Franklin on August 17, 2006, 10:09 pm
On Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:05:58 -0700, "Steve B"
>I just removed gutter from one side of my cabin to install a new metal roof.
>The gutter was hanging on that 35' side, and ice dams that stayed all winter
>were soaking the fascia board.
>
>I now am going to make hangers that extend up to the rafter truss ends to
>support the weight of the gutter and ensuing ice buildup.
>
>My question: I want to put heating strips on the two 35' runs of gutters I
>am going to install. I don't see any other way except letting the ice dams
>sit there, and that can be substantial weight hanging there. I am a welder,
>and can make quality 1" x 1" hanging supports that will drill into the
>rafters on one side, and the roof beams on the other. They WILL support the
>weight, but I anticipate that when the gutters get full, it will start
>melting into the fascia which is what I want to avoid. Not a big problem
>about leaves, as the gutters are high up where few leaves blow in.
>
>Does anyone here use heat strips in their gutters? Any tips or advice
>appreciated.
>
>Steve
>
>
I used them long ago. They worked fine, but can be expensive to run,
especially if you're not there to turn them on and off. Generally you
have to zig-zag them up onto the roof too, to make channels in the ice
for water to flow, and down the downspouts as well.
Any chance of adding insulation and ventilation to prevent the ice
dams? Generally they are caused by heat from inside melting snow on
the roof, which then refreezes at night and the cycle repeats until
everything is clogged with ice. If you can keep the roof cold by
blocking heat loss from below or improving ventilation under the roof,
you can usually minimize the problem.
HTH,
Paul
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