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OutdoorGear
Real discussions from product enthusiasts
Ice Dams: Heat Cables as a Band-Aid
Users consistently note that persistent ice dams indicate insulation or ventilation issues. While heat cables effectively create melt channels, they don't solve the underlying problem, prompting homeowners to use them as a temporary measure while addressing attic insulation.
Performance Drop Below -11°C
Community discussions on r/Roofing and r/heattrace suggest that the effectiveness of de-icing cables can be limited in very cold conditions, with some users reporting diminished performance below -11°C (12°F). This necessitates careful management, often with timers, to ensure functionality.
GFCI and Flat Lay: Key Install Tips
Forum advice stresses connecting heat cables to GFCI outlets for safety and ensuring cables lay flat to prevent overheating or damage. Some users on r/DIY also suggest annual removal to prolong cable life and prevent potential shingle damage.
Automating De-Icing for Efficiency
In r/homeassistant, users explore automating heat cables with smart home systems. This allows cables to be activated only during specific conditions (e.g., sub-freezing temperatures with sun exposure), optimizing energy use and preventing them from running unnecessarily.
Expert answers based on real user experience
Community discussions consistently frame heat cables like the TOPDURE 80ft model as a temporary solution. Users on platforms like r/homeowners and r/Roofing emphasize that persistent ice dams are often symptomatic of underlying issues such as insufficient attic insulation or poor ventilation, which can lead to snow melting and refreezing at the eaves. While these cables, rated at 5 w/ft, are effective at creating melt channels for water escape and preventing damage from refreezing in gutters and downspouts, they do not address the root cause. Homeowners often use them while planning for more permanent fixes like improving attic air sealing and insulation levels.
(r/homeowners, r/Roofing)
User experiences suggest that while constant wattage cables like the TOPDURE 80ft can operate, their effectiveness may diminish in very cold conditions. Discussions on r/Roofing and r/heattrace indicate that performance can be limited below -11°C (12°F). In such sub-zero environments, the 5 w/ft wattage might struggle to create sufficient melt channels against significant ice buildup, especially if the ambient temperature is much lower. Some users recommend using a temperature-controlled timer to activate the cables only when temperatures hover around freezing, maximizing efficiency and potentially reducing energy consumption.
TOPDURE
Get notified when the price drops
Key features: 【ETL & CSA Certified for Unparalleled Safety】ETL certification ensures compliance with North American safety standards. CSA certification strengthens reliability. The plug is UL certified, adding extra protection. Our Constant wattage heating cable is fully certified under ETL and CSA, meeting the highest safety benchmarks. Unlike products with only partial certification (e.g., a UL-certified plug but uncertified cable), our cable undergoes comprehensive testing for complete safety assurance., 【Snow-melting and Ice Dam Prevention】Engineered to thwart the development of ice dams on roofs, gutters, and downspouts, our solution shields your roof from potential damage and leakage, ensuring continuous water flow in gutters and downspouts.Constant wattage：Do not allow the heated portion of an operating cable to touch, crossover or overlap itself or to touch another de-icing cable., 【Scene Use】Ideal for use with metal or plastic gutters/downspouts, inclined roofs, and roofs equipped with noncombustible shingles (e.g., asphalt shingles) meeting national building codes. With different lengths available, it suits most roof and gutter setups with ease., 【Specifications】 Each cable, with a power output of 5 w/ft, includes a 6 ft 18/3 cold lead with plug for easy setup. Clips and spacers are provided for convenience. Built tough with XLPE inner insulation and weather-resistant PVC outer jacket, it guarantees optimal performance with a 100% screen rate featuring aluminum foil and tinned copper braid., 【Easy To Install】 Uncoil the roof heat cable and route it using cable clips and spacers on your shingle roof, around dormers, near skylights, or in your gutters and downspouts. Our product is available in lengths ranging from 20ft to 240ft to accommodate your specific requirements..
-22%TOPDURE
TOPDURE 60ft Roof Deicing Cable, 5w/ft Constant Wattage, CSA ETL Certified, Prevents Ice Dams on Metal or Plastic Gutters/Downspouts, 120V
TOPDURE
240ft 5w/ft Roof Heat Tape, Constant Wattage, CSA ETL Certified, Perfect for Ice Dam Control on Roofs and Gutters, 120V
TOPDURE
De-icing Heating Cable Spacer and Clips Kit
(r/Roofing, r/heattrace)
Community forums like r/DIY and r/homeowners highlight several key safety and installation points. Users strongly advise connecting the TOPDURE 80ft cable to a GFCI-protected outlet to prevent electrical shock hazards. Ensuring the cable lies flat, often easier when slightly warm, is crucial to avoid self-crossover, which is prohibited for constant wattage cables. Some users on r/Roofing have noted potential for shingles to lift if cables are installed improperly or left in place year-round, suggesting annual removal and storage. The ETL and CSA certifications on this model provide assurance of adherence to North American safety standards.
(r/DIY, r/homeowners, r/Roofing)
The TOPDURE 80ft cable features a 100% screen rate, incorporating aluminum foil and a tinned copper braid beneath its weather-resistant XLPE inner insulation and PVC outer jacket. This construction is engineered to provide solid protection against moisture ingress, which can lead to internal corrosion or short circuits. The tinned copper braid offers enhanced conductivity and resistance to oxidation compared to bare copper, while the aluminum foil acts as an additional barrier against environmental stressors. This layered protection is designed to maintain the cable's operational integrity, rated for 120V, for extended periods when exposed to dampness and fluctuating temperatures, potentially increasing its lifespan beyond standard cables without such shielding. The PVC jacket is typically rated for continuous operation up to 60°C and remains flexible down to -40°C, ensuring durability through freeze-thaw cycles.
(Product Specifications)
While the TOPDURE 80ft cable is ETL and CSA certified for safety and reliability, specific data on its expected lifespan in terms of heating cycles or years of continuous use at 5 w/ft is not publicly detailed. For constant wattage cables, longevity is often influenced by the quality of insulation (XLPE) and the outer jacket (PVC), as well as installation practices that prevent overheating or physical stress. Similar industrial heat trace cables can be rated for 10-20 years of service life under ideal conditions, but performance degradation can occur if the cable is frequently flexed, exposed to UV radiation beyond its rating, or subjected to temperatures exceeding its operational limits (typically around 60-70°C for PVC jackets).
(Product Specifications)
Constant wattage heat cables like the TOPDURE 80ft are designed to deliver a consistent power output (5 w/ft) regardless of ambient temperature, unlike self-regulating cables. However, while the wattage output is constant, the *effectiveness* of melting ice can be significantly reduced at extreme low temperatures like -20°C. The rate of heat dissipation to the surrounding cold environment increases, meaning the cable's surface temperature may not be sufficient to melt ice rapidly enough to prevent accumulation or refreezing. While no specialized controller is strictly *required* for the cable to operate, users on r/heattrace suggest that for optimal performance in such conditions, pairing the cable with a temperature-based controller or thermostat is advisable to ensure it activates only when needed and to manage power consumption.
(r/heattrace)
