Heat Tape

Clean, free-flowing downspouts are essential to a home’s health, but our homeowners in Elon, N.C., found out just going with the flow may not be enough

Heat tape or heat cable is a plastic coated wire that’s wrapped around a surface to prevent it from freezing. It’s typically used for gutters or water pipes. And because it’s plugged into an electrical outlet, there are some precautions that should be taken before using heat tape.

Carefully read and follow the installation instructions. Different heat tapes have distinct requirements, and each type of tape is made for a specific use. For instance, don’t use tape made for gutters on water pipes. And make sure to plug the tape into a properly functioning GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter. That will protect against electrical shock.

Heat tape is commonly used in areas where winters are extreme. It’s relatively easy to install and it’s a good way to prevent major damage to your home.

Also in this Episode

House Detective : Episode HDT-501
•	Town and Country
•	Saving a Rocky Mountain Marriage
•	Heat Tape