Heated channel for preventing water penetration due to ice dams

Abstract

An electrically heated channel is disclosed that prevents water from pooling on a roof behind an ice dam by providing a path for the water to drain from behind the ice dam and off of the roof. The invention heats small regions that provide drainage, thereby preventing damage from ice dam leakage while also minimizing energy use requirements. The channel has a bottom which facilitates drainage of the water, and sides which contribute heat to melting ice dams. In preferred embodiments, the sides are perforated and they facilitate melted water entering the channel for enhanced drainage. The electrically heated channel can be made of various materials, such as metal or plastic. The channel can be heated by an electrical heating element cooperative with the channel. In preferred embodiments the heating element includes a heating regulator that maintains the heating element at above freezing temperature and/or at constant temperature.

1 . A device for preventing penetration of water into the structure a shingled roof, the water penetration being due to ice dam formation on the shingled roof, the shingled roof having a sloping direction, the device comprising:
 an electrically heated channel having a bottom and at least two sides, the electrically heated channel adapted to be mounted to the shingled roof substantially in the sloping direction with a lower end of the electrically heated channel extending at least substantially to the edge of the roof, the electrically heated channel preventing formation of ice within the electrically heated channel, thereby providing a path for water to flow through the ice dam and off the roof.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end of the electrically heated channel is extended beyond a lower edge of the shingled roof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel includes two sides having a plurality of perforations formed therein, so as to allow water to enter the electrically heated channel through the two sides. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel includes an installation flap extending from an upper end of the electrically heated channel, the installation flap being insertable under a shingle of the shingled roof so as to facilitate the flow of water over the shingle to enter the upper end of the electrically heated channel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel is made at least partly of aluminum alloy 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel is made at least partly of plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior of the electrically heated channel is black in color. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electrically heated channel is clear. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel is heated by an electrical heating element that is cooperative with the electrically heated channel. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical heating element is an electrical heating cable that is embedded in at least one of:
 a side wall of the electrically heated channel; and   a base of the electrically heated channel.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the electrical heating element includes a heating regulator that maintains the heating element at least one of above freezing temperature, and at a constant temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the electrically heated heating element is heatable by absorption of radio frequency energy. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel includes an upper end and a lower end, the upper end and the lower end being configured so as to allow an extended electrically heated channel to be formed by one of:
 connecting the upper end to a lower end of a second, substantially identical electrically heated channel; and   connecting the lower end to an upper end of a second, substantially identical electrically heated channel.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel has a width of substantially 6 inches to 8 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel has a height of substantially 3 inches to 4 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically heated channel has a length of substantially 72 inches to 96 inches. 
     
     
         17 . A device for preventing penetration of water into the structure a shingled roof, the water penetration being due to ice dam formation on the shingled roof, the shingled roof having a sloping direction, the device comprising:
 a channel enclosure having an upper end and a lower end, the channel enclosure having a rectangular cross section formed by two side walls, an open top, and a base;   at least one electrical heating element cooperative with the channel enclosure and able to maintain the two side walls and the base at a temperature above freezing;   a plurality of perforations formed in the two side walls, the perforations being able to allow water to enter the channel enclosure and to flow therethrough; and   an installation flap extending from the base at the upper end of the channel enclosure, the installation flap being insertable under a shingle of the shingled roof when the base is mounted to the shingled roof substantially in the sloping direction and the lower end is extended beyond a lower edge of the shingled roof.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the open top includes brackets for reinforcement. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior of the electrically heated channel is black in color. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the electrically heated channel is clear. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the electrical heating element includes a heating regulator that maintains the heating element at least one of above freezing temperature, and at a constant temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the electrically heated heating element is heatable by absorption of radio frequency energy. 
     
     
         23 . A kit for preventing ice dams from forming on a shingled roof, the shingled roof having a sloping direction, the kit comprising:
 a plurality of electrically heated channels that can be mounted to the shingled roof substantially in the sloping direction with lower ends of the heated channels extending beyond a lower edge of the roof, the electrically heated channels preventing formation of ice within the heated channels, thereby providing paths for water to flow through the ice dam and off the roof;   a set of fasteners and roofing mastic for mounting the electrically heated channels to the shingled roof; and   a set of swivel and cam buckles for adjusting and securing the overhanging lower end of the electrically heated channels to the lower edge of the roof.   
     
     
         24 . The kit of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one electrical cable that is able to provide electrical power to the electrically heated channels. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the electrical heating element includes a heating regulator that maintains the heating element at least one of above freezing temperature, and at a constant temperature.