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ET-SR-120-05-0100 Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Electric-resistance heating cables and systems have no polarity. This includes all current WarmlyYours heating elements.

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Our self-regulating heating product is designed to be cut to length at the jobsite by an installer where it can then be end-capped with accessories (sold separately).
However, our constant wattage kits contain heating elements that cannot be shortened or altered in any way.

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GFEP is the National Electric Code (NEC) required protection for fixed outdoor deicing and snow-melting equipment, which may be accomplished by using circuit breakers equipped with ground-fault equipment protection (GFEP) of 30 mA. It is important to understand that this required equipment protection is NOT the same as a 5 mA GFCI used for personal protection.

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We do not recommend leaving the cable on all year long. It's an unnecessary use of energy to run the cable during warm weather and it could actually cause the heating cables to overheat if they're left on during very warm weather. 

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 Cable length needed depends on the sizes and areas of the roof that need to be deiced (roof with gutter, downspouts, valleys, and/or dormers). Our best recommendation is for you to give us a call (1-800-875-5285) and we can help you identify what measurements will need to be taken. Alternatively, you can
measure the dimensions of the aforementioned areas and refer to the installation manual to get an idea of how much cable you'll need. 

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WarmlyYours does not recommend installing de-icing cable to remove existing ice dams or heavy snow accumulation. These systems are designed for prevention—maintaining open drainage pathways for meltwater before freezing occurs. Installing heating cables over pre-existing ice blocks is dangerous, inefficient, and will not clear the roof effectively. For best results, install your de-icing system in early fall before freezing weather begins.

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Overlapping cable is not a problem at all for our self-regulating cable product as its able to regulate its heat output to prevent overheating and damaging the cable. 

However, for our constant wattage cable kits, the cable cannot overlap itself or come in contact with itself or any other operating constant wattage heating cable at any time or it could overheat and fail.

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Our self-regulating cable product does require the use of a control and/or a sensor to operate. WarmlyYours offers a variety of controls ranging from a basic manual control to our premium option that provides the ultimate in convenience and hands-off operation.

Our constant wattage cable kits do not require a thermostat/controller and can be connected to an outlet throughout an entire winter, during a single snow event, or whenever deicing is needed. An optional plug-in thermostat can be used if desired.

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NEVER use an extension cord with roof and gutter de-icing cables. Extension cords degrade in harsh outdoor environments, leading to electrical shorts, power loss, and fire hazards. De-icing cables must plug directly into an appropriately rated outdoor outlet with ground-fault equipment protection. If your setup lacks a nearby GFEP/GFCI outlet, contact a licensed electrician to install one safely before operating your heating system.

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Our self-regulating cable product can be used with almost any commonly used roofing material, though you should always check with the roofing material's manufacturer guidelines to confirm. 

Our constant wattage kits can't be used on flat roofs, with wooden gutters or downspouts, or on roofs made of the following: slate, stone, metal, ceramic, wood, rubber, or composite (tar and gravel). 

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WarmlyYours self-regulating roof and gutter de-icing cable can be used on rubber or EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene terpolyMer) roofs.

The primer that WarmlyYours sells is specifically for adhering clips to EPDM or rubber roofing.

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WarmlyYours roof and gutter deicing self-regulating cable loses its power ramp-up ability at about 5-10 years, but it will still work at its rated wattage for years. Properly installed WarmlyYours roof and gutter constant wattage cable usually lasts well beyond its warranty period.

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WarmlyYours self-regulating cable is suitable for use on standard asphalt or wood shingles, angled cedar, tile or terra cotta, slate, flat membrane-type (rubber or EPDM) roofing, and metal roofing. For attaching, the same clips are used for both slate and cedar roofing. Always check local codes for approved methods of heating roofs and gutters.

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WarmlyYours does not recommend installing de-icing systems on ribbed metal roofs. Ribbed and corrugated panel designs typically lack the flat surface area required to properly adhere standard mounting pads and clips. Without a flush mounting surface, heating cables cannot be safely secured to the roof structure. Always evaluate your roof profile and material compatibility before purchasing your de-icing cable.

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Chemical melt tablets provide temporary relief but carry significant drawbacks. They are difficult to apply safely in winter, highly dependent on ambient temperatures, and contain harsh chemicals that can damage asphalt shingles, gutters, and surrounding plants or pets. In contrast, electric roof heating cables deliver consistent, long-term ice dam prevention without damaging your roof or introducing toxic runoff around your home.

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Triangles are spaced 24" apart.

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No, typically leaf guards need to be removed for the deicing cable to be installed in the gutter to work effectively.

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Self Regulating cable is not designed for snow load removal. It is designed for deicing in scuppers, roof overhangs, gutters, downspouts, trench drains, etc.

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Self-regulating cable heats to the specified watts per linear foot when energized

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Two good reasons for this:  

  1. Constant Wattage cables maintain a consistent heat output regardless of the surrounding temperature. Metal roofs, being highly conductive, can cause rapid temperature fluctuations which can lead to overheating and potential damage to the cable's insulation, potentially causing a fire hazard.
  2. The UL approved installation method requires self-regulating cable for metal roofs.  If not installed per UL guidelines, there is no listing and thus no warranty.
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