Easy Heat ADKS-500 100-Foot Roof De-Icing Cable

I have had one of these de-icing cables on the front of my house for a few years and it worked great so I decided to add a few more around the house. I have never had a problem with ice dams but this seems like a pretty cheap precaution especially up here in NH.
They provide you with plenty of clips to attached to the shingles and the process is very easy and is a DIY project if you don't mind being on a ladder. It only took me about 30 min. to install the cable.

Just make sure you buy the correct length cable, the way to figure that is through some pre-planning. Take a look at the area you are planning to install the cable and take some measurements. You should have approx 2 foot loops about 16" apart, so if you have a 30 length of roof you want to cover your already at 60 ft., you also need to figure in extra cable for a double run in the gutter (if you have one) so if you add the 30 ft. gutter x 2 that's another 60 ft.

Then add the downspout,...Read more

Customer Video Review Length:: 2:30 Mins

This season (2010 / 2011) these cables just weren't able to deal with the heavy snow and frigid weather. That said, the ice dam wasn't as bad as I would have had without the cables. They're still worth having, just not the "perfect" solution for extreme weather. (See video for more info.)

Like another review said, the local hardware store wanted $85. I purchased one 100 ft length last winter after ice dams were already formed (oops). I just laid it out on top of the ice and snow--like it should have been mounted on the shingles; still worked great. I just moved it a few times to completely melt the ice. I just ordered 3 more 100' lengths to mount permanently with the roof clips.