Posts Tagged ‘heat tape’


Heat Tape PRO XL – The Answer to the Outlet Problem

Tuesday, October 30th, 2018

When we install Heat Tape on a clients home, often times we hard-wire the cable directly into their circuit. Sometimes, however, we choose to use our Heat Tape Manufacturer’s (Radiant Solutions) plug-in-ready HeatTape PRO.

One problem that come up often is that there isn’t an outlet near the location on the home where the Heat Tape will terminate. Even though Radiant Solutions Heat Tape has a 48″ cold lead –longer then most company’s 36″ cold lead– many times this is not enough to reach, and we end up working with a licensed electrician to have an outlet installed under the eave that we can plug the Heat Tape into. (The manufacturer doesn’t recommend extension cords, and can’t honor the warranty if one is used.)

Just recently Radiant Solutions released a new product that addresses this very problem. It’s called Heat Tape PRO XL. Heat Tape Pro XL features a 50-foot cold lead, that is designed to reach far away outlets. This solution can save the homeowner a significant amount over hiring an electrician. The result is happy customers.

We are planning to sell Heat Tape Pro XL on this site, but until we do, you can get it at Radiant Solutions Website.


Heat Tape Pro Self-Regulating Heat Cable

Thursday, December 22nd, 2016

Roof deicing cable

HeatTapePro is a premium brand of commercial-grade, self-regulating heat cable. We are strategic partners with the Radiant Solutions Company, the direct manufacture of HeatTapePro and all related installation accessories.

Ice dam roof deicing cable installation information

HeatTapePro self-regulating heat cable

HeatTapePro self-regulating heat cables are designed to be used for a variety of roof de-icing, gutter de-icing and pipe freeze applications. Self-regulating heat cable automatically calls for more energy when ambient outdoor temperatures are lower and conversely, less energy when outdoor temperatures are higher. HeatTapePro is pre-terminated in our factory for your safety and convenience. No field modifications will be necessary to the cable to use it for the described purposes.

You can purchase HeatTapePro through our store here or at The Heat Cable Store, , Ebay or Amazon.


Ice Dams Are Happening!

Monday, December 19th, 2016

Ice dams have begun.

In my travels around Minneapolis today looking at ice dam prevention jobs, I noticed a number of homes that already exhibit signs of ice dams. To be more specific, I noticed water and ice coming down the siding and in through the eaves on a number of homes such as the one shown here. This represents a clear signal that water is backing up behind an accumulation of ice on the roof and going where it’s not supposed to go. Want more signs of ice dam issues, click here. With another snowstorm approaching on Christmas, I’m predicting that this might be another troublesome year for Minneapolis homeowners relative to ice dams.

Ice dam removal Minneapolis

What can you do? Unfortunately, once ice dams form and begin to cause problems, the only answer is to have them professionally removed. We use true steamers, machines that superheat water to steam. How do you tell the difference between a high temperature pressure washer used by competitors and a steamer? It’s simple. Does the gun have a trigger or not? If it has a trigger, it is simply NOT a steamer. IDSAFE, a unique organization whose entire purpose is to educate property owners on ice dam steaming, can be found here. The Ice Dam Company is a proud member of IDSAFE. All of our machines have been verified to meet the standards of true ice dam steamers, unlike two of the largest ice dam removal companies in the Twin Cities. (You know who you are!).

Of course the better answer to ice dam removal in Minneapolis is ice dam prevention. We engage in more ice dam prevention work than anybody in the United States, employing both architectural solutions and non-architectural solutions which includes heat tape and heat cable, insulation, roofing, remodeling and general home performance inspections.

Our sister company, Kuhl’s Contracting, engages in the hundreds of attic insulation retrofits and reroofing projects every year in Minneapolis and surrounding communities to address the underlying causes of ice dams. Kuhl’s Contracting also installs heat cable and heat tape on commercial properties and residential properties all over Minnesota. We are proud to sell HeatTapePro, made by Radiant Solutions Company, a premium self-regulating commercial grade heat cable available on a number of online retailers including Amazon. HeatTapePro can also be purchased at The Heat Cable Store, an online direct-to-consumer website that sells a number of heat cable and heat tape products by different manufacturers. Of course, you may also buy HeatTapePro here, at The Ice Dam Company Store.

Click here to schedule an appointment with our ice dam removal or ice dam prevention teams.


Close Up of an Ice Dam Leak

Thursday, December 15th, 2016

A Simple Explanation of Where the Water Goes When Ice Dams Cause Leaks

Where the Water Travels:

Water hitting the Top Plate of the wall (A) spreads out across the top plate, travels downward with gravity, working behind the Siding (B) the Housewrap (C), the Insulation (D), the Vapor Barrier (E) and the Drywall (F). Water always seeks the path of least resistance and therefore frequently shows up through existing penetrations in the ceiling such as lights. Water leaks caused by ice dams can travel many feet from the source before manifesting inside the home. On homes built with vapor barriers on top of the ceiling finish, water will sit on top of the drywall and soak the insulation before leaking inside.

Case Study 18

 

To read more Case Studies click here.

Ice Dam Removal, Ice Dam Prevention

Removing Ice Dams in Minnesota: We Serve Many Areas in the Minneapolis Metro

The Ice Dam company based out of Hopkins, Minnesota, about 5 miles west of Minneapolis. We've done gutter ice removal, roof ice removal and ice dam removal all over the Twin Cities, on new houses and old ones.

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