How Long Does Roof Heat Tape Last

That doesn t mean they won t keep the ice from forming they will it means they will last longer and are more efficient than some brands.

How long does roof heat tape last. There are different brands of heat tape for gutters. Some are just better made than others. Of course they all do the same thing. 12 jan 14 2018 heat tape as any electrical device will last reliably until the operational half life of the element is reached and that will depend on factor of use hours and condition and quality of the heat tape.

While this is not a lot of. Some i have used lasted 5 years and other have lasted 20 or more. The term heat tape refers to another product an insulated electrical wire applied to water pipes to keep them from freezing and bursting. Replace heat tapes that are older than three years use only heat tapes certified to meet recognized voluntary fire safety standards such as those provided by underwriters laboratories ul the canadian standards association csa and the factory mutual research corporation fmrc.

Heat cable is a similar product but it is designed for installation on the edge of your home s roof near the eaves. If the tape is 6 feet long it will use 30 watts when heating the pipe. Heat tape for wrapping around pipes is flat and it must be installed with one of its surfaces completely in contact with the pipe to do its job. Big box heat tape is disposable plain and simple.

The type of heat tape used on roofs and gutters to prevent ice buildup is properly called heat cable. Roof heat tape quality operating cost paying less will cost you more. This is a kit based around the popular and reliable speedtrace family of self regulating heating cables these cables are professional grade durable products and with good treatment we ve known them to last a decade or more in use. They will last a season or two and cost an arm and a leg to operate during that time.

Interesting thing the contractor did for this last home he put the heat tape on it was the long metal type he put a loop of the tape up through the skirting i can hold the loop in my fingers to see if it is warm without removing the skirting which has been nice to be able to check so quickly if the tape is functioning on very cold days.