Rainhandler

Last couple of years I've had my share of problems with ice damming and the resulting water infiltration. Have begun planning on installing snow melt/de-icer cable on the roof and gutters.

However a recent issue of Popular Science has an ad for the Rainhandler system. Lots of nice claims. Wondering what the real world results are like.

I asked about this system when I had my roof re-done 3 years ago. The roofer told me that the product wasn't "really" designed for areas with heavy ice damming or snowfall as it had a tendency to break under the weight before any de-icer can get rid of the bulk of the snow. He said either go with standard gutters or just use a slightly heavier duty edge guard- at a substantially lower cost to me, and less profit for him.

Just the opinion of the guy who did my roof- YMMV.

/vic

I installed these slatted substitutes for gutters a few years ago. I don't get snow. They damage easily. They do direct rain away from the house for about a story.

TB

Looks like the de-icer cables will be the better option.

Jim:

J > Last couple of years I've had my share of problems with ice damming J > and the resulting water infiltration. Have begun planning on J > installing snow melt/de-icer cable on the roof and gutters.

As a tangent to the cables on the roof, also have them here. Have them controlled by X-10 controllers using a separate House ID from that of the lighting: don't want them to come on or be shut off by an ALL ON or ALL OFF command!

- ¯ barry.martinþATþthesafebbs.zeppole.com ®

• "Dowwwwwn't feaw the Weaper" -- Blue ?yster Fudd

Been doing some reading along those lines. Curious which brand you chose for the cables and the controller? Also did you do the work or hire a someone (handyman, roofer, electrician) to install the system?