Heating cables keep the edge of your roof, your eavestroughs and your downspouts clear of ice, so meltwater can drain away instead of backing up under the roof. We install them and recommend them for homes that get ice dams or heavy icicles.
After the brutal winter of 2025–26, we installed a record number of heating cables.
How heating cables help
Ice dams form when snow melts on the warmer upper roof and the water refreezes at the cold roof edge. Heating cables, run in a zigzag along the eaves and through the eavestroughs and downspouts, keep a clear path for that water to drain. That stops ice from building up and helps prevent leaks into ceilings and walls.
Where they make the most sense
- Roofs that have had ice dams or winter leaks before
- Low-slope roofs and roof valleys where snow and ice collect
- Eavestroughs and downspouts that freeze solid every winter
- Spots above entrances and walkways where falling icicles are a hazard
Part of complete ice dam protection
Heating cables work best together with an ice and water shield under the roof, good attic insulation and ventilation, and clean eavestroughs. Read our guide to ice dams to learn how they form and how to prevent them.
Get a free estimate
Contact us to have heating cables installed before the snow arrives. Free estimates available.