Avoid House-Damaging Ice Dams During Extreme Snow – Roof Pros Urge Homeowners to Do 1 Gutter Maintenance Task This Week

Snowstorm warnings are rolling in across the US, making it more important than ever to prepare your home for freezing temperatures.

One of the most important yet overlooked essentials to check before the snow settles is your gutters. Excess weight, sudden downpours, and sustained freezing temperatures can quickly break guttering and lead to ice dams.

The result? Leaks and water pooling that could damage everything from your roof to your foundations. That's why plumbing and roofing pros are urging you to install heat cables now as part of your essential winter home maintenance before it's too late.

Why You Need Heat Cables for Gutters

Cleaning gutters is the first and most important step in winterizing a house, removing leaves and debris that could slow and trap water. In heavy snow, however, even clean guttering can fall victim to blockages, with snow piles freezing overnight and creating ice dams.

When the snow melts, or it rains, these thick ice blocks cause overflow (or even break guttering, resulting in leaks) that spills water over onto your roofing and siding. The result is water damage to your roof and home that is costly and intrusive to repair.

To prevent gutters from clogging during extreme snow warnings and throughout the biting cold of winter, Michael Casolaro, president and CEO at MCAS Roofing and Contracting, suggests installing heat cables, such as the EasyHeat ADKS Roof De‑icing Cable Kit from Walmart, to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place.

What Are Heat Cables?

You have two options in terms of 'heat cables', Michael explains. 'Heated roof cables and de-icing roof strips both help regulate temperature in areas prone to freezing. The right choice depends on your home and your budget.'

Michael details each:

• Heated roof cables are flexible wires that cut a path through ice and snow, helping water drain properly. They're useful to target specific problem areas. For example, a section of your gutter that keeps freezing, or your downspout. They can usually be tucked away for a clean look and work well in gutters, downspouts, and valleys.
• De-icing roof strips are similar to heated cables except they're flatter and distribute heat across a wider surface area. They're helpful when you have full sections of your roof that are prone to freezing. For example, Michael might recommend de-icing strips for a roof that has a large overhang, or sections with a very low slope.'

If you have the budget, 'You also can’t go wrong with the HeatTapePro line from Radiant Solutions [available at Amazon],' Michael adds. 'Both their cables and strips are durable, operate efficiently, and come with fantastic warranties.'

What to Shop

Meet the Expert

Michael Casolaro

Michael is the president and owner of MCAS Roofing & Contracting, proudly serving Westchester County, NY. A second-generation roofer, Michael is certified by top manufacturers including GAF, CertainTeed, and DaVinci Roofscapes. He’s committed to helping homeowners get the most out of their roofs and gutters by focusing on proper care, preventative maintenance, and long-term performance.

You should always be prepared to find and fix common household leaks, even with preventative measures in place, just in case of a worst-case scenario.