Ice dams on roof

Heat Mats Can Help Prevent Ice Buildup on Your Roof

Benefits of Heat Mats

Snow and ice can damage your roof during the winter. In fact, if too much snow accumulates on your flat roof, it can collapse it.  In addition, water damage can occur when gutters get blocked.  To prevent roof damage, some homeowners install heat mats and other products on the roof to help melt snow and ice and allow water to drain gradually and safely.

Heat Mats Can Automatically Melt Snow and Ice

When most people think about a heating and air-conditioning system, they are usually thinking about cooling or heating their home interior. However, in the winter, you can also use your heating system to prevent snow and ice build-up. One way to do this is to install heat mats under the roof surface. The heating element will warm the roof enough to melt accumulated ice and snow. This can also be accomplished using heating cables on the roof and along the gutters. The heat mats include sensors which turn the system on automatically when the moisture levels and temperature reach a certain point.

To install the mats, you need to remove the shingles. Because this can be costly, it is best to install this type of system when building a new home or when replacing the roof. Cables are easier to install on existing structures and are more flexible. With heating cables, you can install the system on the roof and run the wires down the gutter, to the ground, to prevent blockages.

The Pros and Cons of Installing Heating Elements on Your Roof

You don’t need a heating element to remove snow and ice from your roof. You can always climb up and remove it manually. However, removing ice and snow from your roof can be strenuous and dangerous. Ice can be chipped off of the gutters, but to do so, you must stand in an awkward position on a ladder. Cold and windy conditions, can make a roof surface difficult to walk on, which might lead to your slipping and sustaining an injury.

Some people find that it’s worth the expense to install heating elements in the roof. If you live in a cold area where snow and ice accumulation is common, it’s worth the effort. The only thing you have to do after the initial installation is to pay for power to the system. Most of the heating elements on the market require low voltage power.