Installing ice-melting cable on old metal roof

TurboT

So I have an issue with ice and snow sliding off my 95 year old roof into my neighbor's driveway. The only way I can solve this is to either install ice-melting cables or extend the height of his fence by 4 feet.

If I'm to go with the ice-melting cable route, what is the best way to install the clips to hold the cables into a metal roof without causing damage and leaks? Would a sheet-metal screw with a bonded rubber washer do the job? It's too cold to apply any sort of caulking and have it set properly.

I'm not a fan of the idea of screwing into a roof that has gone this long without leaking. Extending the fence would likely be easier and cheaper. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

jagans

Melt wire is not for that purpose. Snow birds, and rails are. They make rails that attach to the ribs with set screws and have a tab that hangs down onto the pan to stop snow and ice from sliding.

__________________
" A lot of men build things, and a lot of things fall down "

joecaption

There's dozens of differant things that can be added that keep the ice from sliding off until it breaks up and melts, here's just one of the many ways.
http://www.s-5.com/snow/index.cfm

TurboT

The cable I'm talking about is designed for installing on a roof. Installed in triangular patterns from the lip of the roof and also around gutters and such.

My roof doesn't really have any ribs. It's a decorative patterned metal shingle sort of thing.

jagans

Again, the purpose for melt wire is to melt tunnels through snow and ice to prevent ice damming, not to melt all the snow off your roof. That is why it is run in a continuous W pattern at the eaves.

Retaining the snow on the roof is not really a capital idea, so you should raise the fence. IMO

__________________
" A lot of men build things, and a lot of things fall down "

TurboT

Ah, I getcha. Makes sense. The fence will be way easier anyway. The roof is more than a 45* angle and would be a nightmare to try to install anything on it.

Fencing it is!