What exactly are heated gutters?

Heated gutters aren’t actually regular gutters built with heating elements. The term refers to a separate product that is placed in, along, or around gutters that emits heat which is strong enough to melt ice or snow. This approach is usually enough to prevent the formation of ice dams on a home.

What is an ice dam?

An ice dam is a section of frozen water that builds up around a home’s roofline. When snow and ice sits on a roof, it often thaws during the day and re-freezes at night. This cycle causes snow and ice to melt and run into or behind gutters, where it can refreeze and put stress on a home’s guttering and roof. Over time, this can lead to cracks in gutters and poke holes in ceilings and walls — where thawed icewater can then cause expensive damage to the exterior and interior of a home.

How do heated gutters work?

In most cases, the heat is delivered through a cable or metal “coil” that runs along most or all of the guttering that hangs on a home. This cable or coil is connected to a power source which is usually hooked up to a home’s electrical system, either through a standard AC cord-and-outlet or by being hardwired into the home’s breaker box. Often, this system is self-regulating to deliver heat only when it is needed, instead of being “turned on” all the time.

How do heat-gutters self-regulate?

Most of them utilize a sensor that is able to detect changes in ambient temperature. When the outdoor temperature drops below a certain level (usually around 38 degrees Fahrenheit), the power source activates and begins sending heat to the coil or cable. When the temperature rises past this threshold, the power supply turns itself off.

Can heated gutters overheat and cause a fire?

No. The entire gutter heating system is GFCI protected. This means that the power source has the ability to monitor the flow of electrical current from the home to the cable or coil. If at any point there is an imbalance in current, the power source is designed to immediately shut off. This prevents the gutter heater from malfunctioning and getting too hot, which could result in a fire hazard.

How much do heated gutters cost?

The answer depends on a number of variables, like the length of your gutter system, the number of corners it has, and the number of stories on your home. But in most cases, the cost of installing heated gutters is less than the deductible you pay on your homeowner’s insurance. Plus, when you factor in the expenses associated with interior flooding or leaks, replacement furniture and flooring, damage to walls and ceilings, and other related costs, heated gutters are a very wise investment in the preventive maintenance of your home.

Can I install heated gutters on my own?

There are some heated gutter products which are sold in hardware or home improvement stores. However, if these systems are installed improperly, they may not perform the way they should — meaning that you could be dealing with ice dams and the related issues anyway.

Who can I call to have heater gutters installed?

Moonworks offers a product known as Heater Helmet, which is so effective that you’ll never have to deal with frozen gutters again! In addition, Moonworks can make sure that your attic is properly insulated so as to provide even further protection against the formation of ice dams. For a free, in-home estimate, you can contact us, or call Moonworks at 1-800-975-6666.