roofdrainde-icingsystems.com

Freeze and thaw cycles that are created by sunny days followed by cold nights can cause Ice damming. Snow can melt on roofs even when the temperatures are below freezing due to the insulating value of snow coupled with building heat losses. Water from this melt will be blocked by snow that has not melted, preventing good runoff drainage. This causes Roof Flooding. Water that is left standing freezes when the temperature drops again at night or from cloud cover, causing Ice Dams to form. Each time the cycle is repeated the size of the ice dam increases until water can find its way under the roofing materials.

Once the water has entered the building it follows along beams, electrical wires, plumbing etc. further increasing damage to the buildings structure and its contents. Sometimes the interior damage will be some considerable distance from where the roof damage occurred. There is a good debate going on about whom and what is the best at preventing Ice Dams. The discussion goes on about whether it should be a Cold Roof or a Hot Roof, Heat Trace Cable or Hot Water, what is expensive and what is not, or whether more attic insulation and ventilation is what is needed. All seem to have their good points and all have their bad points. Some are addressing the issues of snow loads and others are not. Then there is the discussion over what is safe and what is not. One thing is for certain; in all cases at some time the snow is going to melt for what ever reason.

Ice forming at roof drains or in roof drain pipes are also Ice Dams that cause Roof Flooding. Drains can be restricted by initial heavy snowfall itself or located in areas that are shaded from the sun and can't provide good drainage for water run off.

Thousands of dollars can be spent on roof snow and ice melting systems, or insulating the attic and roof, but at the same time, the small amount of money needed to take care of the water drainage system is being ignored . Roof Drain De-Icing Systems Inc. has created several drain cable jigs systems that are the ideal solution for keeping Roof Drains and Canales open and free of ice, while providing channeling of water to the drain. These drain jigs are inexpensive and easy to adapt and can be used on almost any roof drain manufacturers drains. Fully automatic, the system is activated by solid state controls. The Easy-Heat GC1 senses freezing temperatures and the presence of moisture. It will turn the system on during snowfall and remain on for an appropriate time afterward.