Customer Reviews

Easy Heat ADKS-500 100-Foot Roof De-Icing Cable

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have had one of these de-icing cables on the front of my house for a few years and it worked great so I decided to add a few more around the house. I have never had a problem with ice dams but this seems like a pretty cheap precaution especially up here in NH.

They provide you with plenty of clips to attached to the shingles and the process is very easy and is a DIY project if you don't mind being on a ladder. It only took me about 30 min. to install the cable.

Just make sure you buy the correct length cable, the way to figure that is through some pre-planning. Take a look at the area you are planning to install the cable and take some measurements. You should have approx 2 foot loops about 16" apart, so if you have a 30 length of roof you want to cover your already at 60 ft., you also need to figure in extra cable for a double run in the gutter (if you have one) so if you add the 30 ft. gutter x 2 that's another 60 ft.

Then add the downspout, let's just say that another 15 ft. x 2 (need a double run for best results) that's another 30ft. So in total you would need a 150 ft. cable for a 30ft. length of roof with a gutter and a downspout.

Length:: 2:30 Mins

This season (2010 / 2011) these cables just weren't able to deal with the heavy snow and frigid weather. That said, the ice dam wasn't as bad as I would have had without the cables. They're still worth having, just not the "perfect" solution for extreme weather. (See video for more info.)

Like another review said, the local hardware store wanted $85. I purchased one 100 ft length last winter after ice dams were already formed (oops). I just laid it out on top of the ice and snow--like it should have been mounted on the shingles; still worked great. I just moved it a few times to completely melt the ice. I just ordered 3 more 100' lengths to mount permanently with the roof clips.

I bought this Easy Heat de-icing cable mainly for the price. It cost nearly half what similar products were going for in the local hardware stores.

So far, I've been very pleased with it. The instructions were very clear and easy to follow. And the package includes a more than ample supply of roof clips. And, we just went through our first major snowstorm a week ago and the cable worked perfectly. The real test will be to see how many years this lasts. But, for now, I'm a happy customer.

We've had serious problems with ice dams in one section of our roof despite trying several methods to stop them. This year the de-icing cable has solved the problem with flying colors. We have not had temps below zero much yet but ice dams form mainly when the snow is melting and that's when this works the best.

Installation was pretty easy. I had no problems with the clips and the main challenge was working out a scheme to run the cable along the roof edge and into the gutter, but even that was pretty straightforward.

That brings me to the one thing I wish would be made more clear - when you install the cable it is in a triangle shaped pattern along the roof, and you may also run it up any valleys in the roof and down the gutter. For me I ended up using about 3 feet of cable per one foot of the actual roof run, so buy longer than you think you will need.

I purchased this product for installation in a valley on a shingle roof that gets considerable ice buildup. The valley faces the sunshine, so even with proper ventilation the ice melts and refreezes. I ran the cable from the house receptacle, up the downspout, through the gutter, and up AND down the valley. We have had considerable winter weather so far this year and I am happy to have the heat tape there melting the buildup and providing a clear path for water to escape

For years we suffered from a combination of poor gutter installation and a climate that fosters ice dams plus full and frozen gutters. I actually used some Christmas tube-lights to keep the gutter clear, but they draw a lot of current and have obvious side effects. I found this solution very easy to install, the instructions were clear, the accessories were simple to understand and use, and the gutter has run free and clear since. Plus, this solution does not require installation of new electrical outlets. This is been a cheap and effective solution to our problem with gutters freezing over and dropping ice on our walkways. I would highly recommend this product.

I live in the North West. We are having much longer periods of single digit weather this year. We purchased the 200' version. I found the installation clips very flimsy and weak. They are made out of a very lighweight aluminium with 2 fishhook type barbs that are supposed to push onto a shingle and the barbs are supposed to go into the underside of the shingle to hold it tight. I found them coming off the shingle with very slight tugging as I was installing the triangular pattern on my roof. I called the company as to what I might do to make the installation more secure and the solution was to send me another package of clips. After more time on the installation than I planned, I did get them to stay. The system does work if you can get the clips to hold,you will be happy. I will see how they do in a high wind storm. Good Luck EJ

With 12+ inches of snow on the roof and 20 degree temps I turned on the cables for the first time. To my amazement, the snow is melting and running down the gutter! Seems to work as stated, I don't anticipate any ice dams this year!! I have a wood shake roof, not easy to attach cables. I used roofing nails through the clips.

These work good attached to a greenhouse table in loops about 3 inches apart for seedlings, cloning starts, early flower baskets or pretty much any vegetable. We now have 400 feet and plan to have a year-round garden this year for fresh veggies. Uses very little electricity and greenhouse doesn't have to be kept more than about 55-60. Give it a try!