Storing ice melt cables

[Sumboodie]

ideas? Side spout lifts up for mowing.

 

[DeeKay]

I almost asked why you need heat trace in Arkansas .....nvm need more coffee.

 

[Sumboodie]

I almost asked why you need heat trace in Arkansas .....nvm need more coffee.

Alaska.

In spring the snow melts, then freezes at night, causing the gutters to clog up and back up into the soffits.
I tried using ice melt this year and that made a HUGE mess. Ice melt stains all over the gutter, soffits, side of the house, windows, yard, etc

Only used 2-3 weeks a year.

I could pull them out, but it's a bit of a PITA. And they are designed to stay there year round.

I put the plug end at the downspout so I can plug an extension cord.
Ideally would gave an outlet in the soffits, but I decided not to turn it into a $1000 "fix".

Was thinking of cutting a hole in the downspout large enough for the plug and just pulling it up through that, zip tie it off.
Come fall, run it back out the spout.

Dunno. Figured I'd ask and maybe get ideas.

 

[DeeKay]

Oh I get it, Colorado is similar in the spring and fall; 75° in the day and 20° at night, then we'll get 8" of snow in May and it will be 85 the next day.
Could you pull it up through the opening where your hinge is and just coil it up against the wall so you can't really see it?

 

[Showkey]

Unfortunately those ice melt cables have an average life span for 2-3 years............

 

[DeeKay]

Really? We have heat trace that's been in service for 20 years, it's Raychem stuff though, may be a difference between hardware store stuff and that I suppose...

 

[Sumboodie]

Really? We have heat trace that's been in service for 20 years, it's Raychem stuff though, may be a difference between hardware store stuff and that I suppose...

These have a 5 or 10 yr warranty. I forget. Came from an outfit in Canada that makes them.