Stop ice dams before winter starts.

Known as heat cables, gutter heaters or heat tape, gutter heating cables can be critical in preventing winter weather from damaging your roof, gutters and downspouts. When temperatures fall below freezing, melted snow can refreeze into ice dams that stop water from draining off your roof.

Installed within the gutters and downspouts, the cables melt frozen precipitation and keep an open drainage path from the roof to the ground.

Compatibility and safety: cables should be waterproof, shouldn't crack in extreme cold, and must be compatible with your roof, gutter and downspout materials.

Electrical power: most heating cables provide 5–7 watts per foot. Chicago and its north suburbs aren't known for mild winters — you may be better served by at least 10 watts per foot.

Automatic sensors: cables with sensors cost more but improve efficiency and need far less maintenance, switching off automatically when heat isn't needed. Without sensors, you'll plug and unplug them as temperatures change.

With the right materials and tools, a homeowner can install heating cables — but the job isn't for everyone. On taller homes, don't underestimate the danger of working high above the ground, or the risk of electrical shock from the wrong cable. We install heating cables reliably and affordably. Don't wait until you already have a problem.