Heat Tape Installation

Highlander Services installs roof heat tape in Anchorage to prevent ice dams and the mitigate the potential for extensive damage to your home due to leaking roofs. Heat Tape works by melting snow and ice and creating a pathway for water to flow off your roof. It is the most effective way to ensure that ice dams do not form.

Alaska has long winters with variable conditions. Installation of heat tape keeps ice dams from ever forming, thereby working proactively so homeowners do not have to combat ice dams once they have already grown.

Roof heat tape, also known as heat cable or heat trace, is a heating element designed to prevent ice dams from forming on roofs, particularly in areas prone to ice buildup like eaves, valleys, and gutters. It works by melting snow and ice, allowing water to drain properly and preventing potential damage to the roof and home. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

What it is: Roof heat tape is a type of heating cable that is installed along the edges of a roof, often in a zigzag or V-shaped pattern. It's designed to melt snow and ice, preventing the formation of ice dams. 

How it works: When the temperature drops, the heat tape warms up, melting the snow and ice around it. This creates channels for the meltwater to flow down the roof and into the gutters, preventing it from pooling and freezing, which can lead to ice dams. 

Why it's used: Ice dams can cause a variety of problems, including: 

• Water damage:

  Ice dams can trap water behind them, causing it to seep under shingles and into the attic or walls, leading to leaks and potential structural damage.

• Roof damage:

  The weight of ice buildup can damage shingles, gutters, and other roofing materials.

• Gutter damage:

  Ice can freeze in gutters and downspouts, causing them to sag, crack, or detach from the roof.

Types of heat tape:

• Self-regulating:

  These cables automatically adjust their heat output based on the temperature, providing efficient heating and preventing overheating. 

• Constant wattage:

  These cables provide a constant amount of heat, regardless of temperature, and may be more suitable for specific situations. 

Highlander Services strongly encourages using self-regulating heat tape due to its increased efficiency, longer lifespan and effectiveness. Highlander Services installs heat tape in Anchorage, Girdwood, Eagle River, Chugiak, Palmer and Wasilla.

After moss removal and with heat tape installed

Gutter Cleaning

Highlander Services cleans thousands of feet of Anchorage’s gutters each year. Unlike some companies, we don’t require you to be on a contract or schedule. Also, we provide before and after pictures so you know what we did. We inspect and clear each downspout and provide basic repairs to gutters for little-to-no additional fee.