Target These Icy Areas with Heat Tape
September 21, 2025
As colder months approach, protecting your home from winter damage becomes a top priority. One of the most effective tools homeowners can use in the battle against ice and freezing temperatures is heat tape. Heat Tape is a simple, effective solutions that can prevent major problems like leaking, ice dams, busted gutters, and other home damage. But where exactly should you install heat tape on your home? Let's break it down.
Why Ice and Ice Dams are bad for your home.
What are Ice Dams? An Ice Dam is a ridge of ice that typically forms at the edge of the roof, preventing snowmelt from draining properly to the ground. It occurs when the heat from the house melts the snow, the water flows to the colder roof edge and refreezes, and this process repeats, creating a dam and a pool of water that can back up under the shingles and leak in the home, causing significant damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and structural components.
Be mindful of other areas that are affected by Ice. Icy gutters and downspouts can swell, bow, and bend affecting the function and durability of them. Frozen roofs and gutters are prone to creating ice covered concrete, pathways, and sidewalks, which inevitably establish unwanted slip and slide events for people.
Target These Areas:
1. Roof Edges/ Eaves
2. Gutters/ Downspouts
3. Valleys
These are the most common areas for Ice. 80% of Ice dams are dealt with on the roof edges and above the eaves. Installing heat tape in gutters and downspouts endures a clear channels for the water to flow to the ground. Valleys are the second most common area to see ice dams due to the large amount of water directed here.
4. Low Angle Roofs
5. Dormers
6. Tight Areas
7. Change of Pitch
These areas can be problematic due to the home design and aren't always a necessity for installed heat tape. It may be worth installing these areas in snowier areas or if know problems exist in the area with similar design. It's important to know that even 1-2" ice dam can cause leaking so targeting low pitched roofs or pitch changed will be valuable.
8. Any Openings on the Roof
Chimneys (not shown)
Solar Panels (not shown)
These areas occasionally form ice dams. Solar Panels tend to deal more with sliding snow problems but can cause ice dams in the snow fall zone just below the panels and above the edge of the roof.
Not all the areas on the home are equal for ice dam build up. South and West sides of homes typically have more natural melting because of the sun exposure in the late afternoon where North and East sides see the most build up and trouble. If you've experienced a winter in the home, you know exactly where you have trouble. Prioritize the first 3 locations when deciding where to install or prioritize.
Ready to get started? Contact Nordic Solutions for a free quote and professional advice on keeping your roof snow and ice-free all winter long.