With an annual average snowfall of around 47 inches, Akron, Ohio winters can sometimes be demanding on roofs. Most residential roofs are designed to withstand a great deal of snow (20 pounds per square feet, which is about 4 feet), so Akron residents have virtually no need to worry about weight loads. However, heavy snow and ice can damage gutters and downspouts, and cause other problems. The biggest threat to roofs is ice dams. Ice dams can develop along roof eaves and hinder runoff, and over time lead to costly water damage. Needless to say, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your home’s lid.
While checking your roof for ice dams is important during the winter months, roof inspections should be done before the first snow falls. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends that homeowners inspect their roof during the spring and fall every year. Check for warped and broken shingles, damaged flashing, and any other roof anomaly. It’s also a good idea to check the roof after any major storm. Inspecting your roof on a regular basis can help you discover small problems before they become large problems, utimately saving you money in the long run.
As for ice dams, these are the most common – and costly – roof problems to occur during the winter. Sometimes the damage they cause is difficult to spot and only noticed after it’s too late. (For example, a wall inside the home may initially conceal the intrusion of water, but after months, or repeated occurrences over years, the tell tale stains of water damage may be revealed. And undiscovered water damage can often lead to mold.)
Ice dams form near the roof edges where heat from the attic cannot reach. As heat escapes from the home into the attic it rises to warm the roof, causing the underlying layers of snow to melt, which then runs down the roof. Since the roof edges extend beyond the attic they remain cold and the runoff refreezes when it reaches the colder eaves. Over time a ridge of ice develops. Additional runoff then pools up behind the ice. The water can soak into the tiniest cracks in the roof and shingles, and when it refreezes at night it expands, enlarging those cracks and stressing the shingles, jeopardizing the integrity of the roof over time.
Many home and business owners have invested in a roof de-icing system to reduce the potential for ice dams as well as to protect pedestrian traffic from sheets of falling ice and icicles. The roof heating systems can be installed in problem areas and customized to meet the specific demands of the structure. Warmzone® has years of experience designing and developing the most effective and efficient ways to keep roofs, gutters and downspouts free of harmful, and even dangerous conditions.
One of the most popular roof heating elements features a thin, flexible low-voltage polymer heating element that is installed directly under the roof shingles. The only external evidence of having this roof de-icing system installed is the lack of snow on the roof. (The system utilizes a transformer to step down high voltage to low voltage, which is typically installed in the garage.) One of the most common applications is for homeowners to install the RoofHeat STEP® heating panels under the shingles along the roof eaves and under the flashing of roof valleys. This prevents the formation of ice dams and allows runoff to reach the gutters.
The low-voltage system can also be complemented by routing self-regulating heat trace cable through the gutters and downspouts. This further facilitates runoff and prevents heavy ice from damaging the gutters and downspouts. The heat trace cable can also be installed by using clips to secure the cable and run it in a zigzag pattern over the shingles along the roof eaves. This provides an effective and very affordable option for preventing ice dams. Additional heat cable is typically routed in the gutters and downspouts to eliminate heavy ice buildup.
Warmzone is a trusted leader of roof heating and gutter heat trace systems. In addition to providing the industry’s most proven products, Warmzone support services are unmatched. Our system design and layout services address all the installation and technical details needed by installers and electricians. Installers can also receive technical installation support any time by calling our design and electrical experts during the installation of the roof de-icing system. Our dedicated support staff is always on hand to assist customers and help ensure the proper installation of the system.
To further ensure successful installations, Warmzone offers free roof de-icing system installation training. Installers can set up a time that is convenient for them and receive personal instruction for installing the system. Having worked with installers throughout the country, chances are that we can recommend an experienced, reputable installer in the Akron area for your de-icing project. We maintain a network of installers and grade them according to customers’ reviews. That way we can recommend professionals with confidence.
Contact Warmzone today to learn more about our self-regulating heat trace solutions and low-voltage roof heating systems. Each roof heating installation is unique, so we offer several options – each of which can be customized – to assure that customers receive the best and most cost effective roof de-icing system for their needs. Call 888.488.9276 today to learn more.
888-488-9276
info@warmzone.com
