Because water expands when it freezes, ice can cause a lot of structural damage if left to form unchecked. Your roof and gutters are particularly susceptible to this damage, because ice can continue to build up and form dams, icicles, and more.
Gutter heat tape can be an excellent solution to this problem; it is an insulated electric heat cord that is protected from the elements and is installed in pipes and gutters to heat them just enough to stop ice from forming. Once heat gutter tape is installed in your gutters, it acts as a resistive heat source; it contains a conducting wire that will get hot as electricity flows through it. Heat gutter tape is designed to keep your gutters just hot enough to prevent ice from forming in your gutters and building onto your roof. This can dramatically improve the lifespan of your gutters and your roof, since their primary benefit is reducing the risk of ice dams. This will, in turn, save you a great deal of money. Many homeowners have found that heat gutter tape helps preserve their gutters, their roofs, and their homes from structural damage that comes from ice melting where it shouldn't.
Heat gutter tape is efficient and safe to use. Most tape comes with an inline thermostat that monitors the temperature and cycles the power on and off to prevent overheating. Most homeowners use it in their gutters, but it can also be used on exposed pipes in your crawl space or outside your home to prevent them from freezing or bursting in the cold winter months.
Because it's vital that heat gutter tape is properly installed or it might not work as intended, professional installation is strongly recommended. You should also make sure your gutters are in good shape before installing heat gutter tape, as weakened or damaged gutters might be unable to sustain the tape. A professional can assess your gutters and make sure they are in good condition and made of a suitable material that will support heat gutter tape without taking damage.