Press Release of the Day: Saving the world from falling icicles | Twin Cities Daily Planet

Press Release of the Day: Saving the world from falling icicles | Twin Cities Daily Planet

by Jay Gabler | 8/25/09 • In Elizabeth Berg's book Range of Motion, a wife struggles to cope as her husband lies in a coma. Throughout the book—which is actually quite moving and thought-provoking despite being available in a mass-market edition with gilded letters and one of those peek-a-boo diecut covers—the woman reflects on all the little things that married people sometimes take for granted when their partners are not rendered unconscious for months after being struck by an icicle.

That's right...the villain is an icicle. Does this sort of thing happen often? Well, according to Gutterglove Gutterguard, makers of the IceBreaker gutter heater and the LeafBlaster gutter filter, "in Moscow, TASS news agency reported on February 26, 2008, 'Six people have been killed in three days by icicles falling from buildings in a central Russian region.'" Further, "Report by Rachelle Bowden of the Chicagoist.com, 'In 2000, Donald Booth, a Wisconsin man, was walking down the sidewalk past the Neiman Marcus building (in Chicago) when a microwave-size piece of ice fell from the sky, crushing his skull and vertebrae and instantly killing him.'" A little quick Googling yielded a blog entry from Albany, New York, which links to several other examples—and notes that Minneapolis is one of the risk areas. The question is, what's it worth to you to protect your loved ones (and mail carrier) from being smote by icicles?

IceBreaker system wards off pesky deadly icicles

IceBreaker system wards off pesky deadly icicles

Article type: Gutterglove IceBreaker
Media type: Website
Media name: CNET Article date: August 26th, 2009 Media’s website link: IceBreaker system wards off pesky deadly icicles

Apparently, those who live in climates where it regularly freezes in the winter are at risk of death via icicle. It appears that larger icicles can break off of gutters and plunge into people's bodies, killing them coldly on contact.

A company called Gutterglove, which ironically is California-based, has a new add-on called the IceBreaker for its already advanced guttering systems. Using a self-regulated heated cable, the IceBreaker keeps water on the outside of the gutter just above freezing, meaning icicles don't form, fall off, and kill you and your loved ones as you build your snowman.

The cable fits Gutterglove's DIY install gutters, which already do things like collect rainwater for personal use; filter pine needles and seeds; and keep gutters clean so you don't have to. I wish we had this when I was 15.

All kidding aside, people actually do die every year from ice falling from man-made structures. It's not how I'd want to go, and it's not something I'd wish on anyone else, either. Were I a homeowner in a place frigid enough to warrant fears of chilly death from above, I'd definitely consider something like the Icebreaker gutter cables. But, living in Seattle, I only have to deal with mammoth quakes that will destroy my apartment building in my sleep.

Popular tags: gutter protection, heated gutter guard, Gutterglove, Gutterglove IceBreaker

www.icedamwi.com

Eliminate Icicle Risk and Harvest Snow with Ground-Breaking Heated Gutter Guard Technology

Eliminate Icicle Risk and Harvest Snow with Ground-Breaking Heated Gutter Guard Technology

Article topic: Gutterglove IceBreaker
Media type: Website 
Media name: Green Energy News 
Article date: September 4, 2009 
Media’s website link: Eliminate Icicle Risk and Harvest Snow with Ground-Breaking Heated Gutter Guard Technology

Inventors of ‘Gutterglove Gutter Guard’, highly advanced gutter protection systems, have developed a modern solution for regions with elevated icicle exposure – accurately dubbed ‘Gutterglove IceBreaker’. The novel innovation thaws icicles, ice dams and snow loads onrain gutters; offering consumers the unique option to process captured snow into rainwater for later use.

The IceBreaker also works diligently to filter out all leaves, pine needles and minuscule roof particles so you are ensured clean water, as well as a clean rain gutter all year round. Patented technology behind the IceBreaker incorporates a self-regulating heat cable which is built-in to the gutter guard itself; efficiently warming it throughout, as well as completely eliminating concerns of hazardous icicle formations falling and striking an unfortunate victim. In fact, this is an ongoing problem in areas like Russia and even in colder areas throughout the United States such as Chicago, with serious harm and even death reported in many cases.

TASS news agency, based in Moscow, reported the death of six separate individuals attributed to icicle formations plummeting from buildings in a central Russian region around early 2008. Rachelle Bowden of the Chicagoist.com, “In 2000, Donald Booth, a Wisconsin man, was walking down the sidewalk past the Neiman Marcus building (in Chicago) when a microwave-size piece of ice fell from the sky, crushing his skull and vertebrae and instantly killing him.”

Popular tags: heated gutter guard, gutter guard gutter cover, Gutterglove, gutter protection


www.icedamwi.com

Gutter Services Madison, Columbus, Kenosha, Green Bay WI

Gutter Services Madison, Columbus, Kenosha, Green Bay, Milwaukee WI

Tahoe Daily Tribune; December 19, 2009

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif — If pine needles don't clog your rain gutters in the fall, ice is likely doing the job this winter.

But after a successful trial at his own South Lake Tahoe home this week, one local businessman will offer a potential solution to both annoyances.

The product was invented by former Grass Valley resident Robert Lenney, the co-founder of Gutterglove Gutterguard, which has offices in Fremont and Rocklin.

John Murray, the owner of McGee Mechanical, said he will soon offer Gutterglove Icebreaker, a recently developed product that combines a gutter cover with heat cable to keep rain gutters free of icicles and icy build up in the winter and pine needles during the rest of the year.

In addition to decreasing the amount of time homeowners spend on maintaining rain gutters, the heated gutter cover also improves safety by preventing icicles from breaking off unexpectedly, Lenney said. The gutter is heated electrically.

Murray had his doubts about the product at first, but after seeing the results first hand, he decided to offer the product to customers at the South Shore.

“It's really a pretty neat thing he's come up with,” Murray said. “We put one in on my house and I was a little bit skeptical. I was afraid that ice would still accumulate inside the gutter.”

Traditional gutters aren't always effective at the South Shore because of the tendency for ice build up, bend the gutter, pull it away from the roof or break the gutter off completely, Murray said, echoing a comment from Gutterglove's other founder John Lewis.

“Many homes in colder climates generally don't have gutters because of the icing problems that exist,” Lewis said in a statement. “However, that's not a problem anymore.”

Murray said he requires people who purchase rain gutters from McGee Mechanical to install heat tape to prevent ice from building up. Heat tape is what heats the guard and radiates heat into the gutter.

“We won't warranty our gutters from snow and ice unless that heat tape is installed,” Murray said.

Murray installed the Icebreaker on his home prior to a series of recent winter storms that hit the South Shore.

After leaving the gutter cover on for about 48 hours, the miniature cornice that had formed at the edge of his roof had receded and the icicles had fallen off in under 48 hours, Murray said.

Because many Lake Tahoe homes lack rain gutters, strips of rock are sometimes placed underneath a roof's drip line as part of Best Management Practices — measures at Lake Tahoe to prevent stormwater runoff from reaching the lake and contributing to its historic clarity decline.

The heated gutter guard is another way to prevent stormwater from going unmanaged, according to the statement.

The Gutterlglove Icebreaker costs between $30 and $35 a foot and could be offered as soon as this winter depending on the amount if interest received, Murray said.

Local businessman breaks the ice with new gutter technology

Gutterglove Icebreaker Madison, Columbus, Kenosha, Green Bay, WI

Gutterglove IceBreaker, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Lake Geneva, Janesville, Beloit WI

What is Gutterglove IceBreaker?
Gutterglove IceBreaker gutter protection system, a leading innovator in gutter guard deicing systems, conductively radiates heat throughout itself and the gutter to melt icicles, ice dams and snow loads.

How does it work?
Icebreaker is the only heated gutter guard on the market that uses a unique form of aluminum alloy that is extruded, anodized, and hardened and extruded. These features allow the highest potential of radiant heat transfer. IceBreaker incorporates a self regulating heated cable within its profile for creating this ice melting feature.

The IceBreaker system can be controlled in a variety of ways. It can come with a simple cord that plugs into an exterior GFI Protected outlet or it can be as sophisticated as Heat and Moisture Sensors that turn the system on for you, giving you the freedom to travel without the worry of Ice Dam formation while you are gone.

Icebreaker can be installed on any roof type including metal, tile, asphalt and wood shingle. Simply said, Gutterglove Icebreaker is the hottest gutter guard on the market!

What does it cost to operate?
Cost depends greatly on the volume of wire necessary to heat the IceBreaker and Downspouts and the severity of the winter. However, Gutterglove uses only low temperature and low wattage self regulating heat cables to maximize efficiency and to keep the operating cost at a minimum.

Gutterglove IceBreaker eliminates gutter cleaning!
This type of aluminum alloy which no other gutter protection system uses, is incorporated into a revolutionary patent pending design that not only eliminates icing problems on your gutters, but also supports a fine grade surgical stainless steel mesh to filter out leaves, pine needles and seed pods from your gutter system. With Icebreaker, you will never have to clean out your gutters again!

I don't have gutters because it freezes where I live.
If you live in areas where it’s so cold that ice problems prohibit you from having a gutter system for properly draining rainwater, then think again! With Gutterglove Icebreaker you can now have a fully functioning gutter system during the freezing winters and hot summers for diverting the rainwater away from your landscape to avoid erosion problems.

What Gutterglove IceBreaker can do for you?

Gutterglove is by far the most durable and strongest gutter guard in the industry. When installed at the same pitch of the roof on your gutter, any snow and ice that slides off the upper portion of the roof slides over Gutterglove and does not tear off your gutter.

• Eliminate gutter ice dams!
• Eliminate gutter icicles!
• Eliminate gutter snow loads!
• Never clean your gutters again!
• Thickest gutter guard in the world for optimized heat transfer for melting ice!
• Snow avalanching off roof

Call Toll Free at 888.654.4942 or visit www.icedamwi.com

Stop Ice Dams with Heat Panels Madison, Columbus, Kenosha, Green Bay WI

Stop Ice Dams with Heat Panels Madison, Columbus, Kenosha, Green Bay, WI


Efficient Direct Heat
Our Aluminum panels are designed for maximum heat transfer. Unlike other products, T-Panels do not rely on heating panel surfaces through indirect heating of an air space. The heat source is in direct contact with the panel surfaces. This provides much greater efficiency and more effective energy usage.

The T-Panel system
When mounted to your roof eaves and valleys, our systems are designed to eliminate ice and snow in those areas, keeping your home safer by reducing the risk of winter damage. And that’s important too, since most insurance and warranties don’t cover ice damage.

Money-saving control system
Coupled with our control systems, which sense temperature and moisture, rather than temperature alone, T-Panels save money by only heating when there’s danger of ice.

Ten-year Warranty
The panels and snow-melting cables carry a 10-year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Our color coatings carry a 20-year warranty.

For more Information

Call 888.654.4942 or visit www.icedamwi.com

Myths And Facts About Ice Dam

And Icicle Solutions

MYTH #1: Solar radiation and its resulting heat have little effect on the formation of ice dams: home interior heat loss through the attic is mainly to blame.

FACT: The heat from the sun and its resulting impact on roof-top snow melt has a huge effect on the formation of ice dams. No matter how many means you take to try to prevent the effects of home heat loss on the inside of your roof, you simply cannot shield your roof from the sun’s heat on the outside. Solar radiation-caused snow melt is a large contributor to ice dam formation and it is a cause that simply cannot be prevented.

MYTH #2: Adding more insulation to the attic or ventilating the area better will prevent ice dam formation.

FACT: This is a very popular myth, and although adding insulation can help lessen the problem a little, it simply cannot prevent or get rid of ice dams in and of itself.

Insulation is not designed to prevent ice dams: it is a material designed to manage energy costs in the home. Having too much insulation in the attic areas actually serves to retain moisture. As a result, the insulation will become more compact and lose much of its efficiency as an insulator. And if your home has a chimney, vaulted ceilings, or skylights, the roof will still become heated anyway despite the addition of extra insulation.

Improving an attic’s ventilation system will indeed make the temperature differential between the underside of the roof and the outside air less disparate. A colder attic may help to slow the melting on your rooftop, but it cannot eradicate it altogether.

MYTH #3: Installing a “cold roof” will prevent the formation of ice dams.

FACT: A “cold roof” is one that uses insular material between the rafters or below them to help keep the temperature of the inside of the roof at the same level as the temperature on the outside of the roof. The problem is, it might help a bit; but as with attic insulation and ventilation, this solution only seeks to address the melting that comes from home heat loss and can do nothing to prevent the effects of solar radiation: Because of the effects of solar radiation, snow melt and refreezing can never be totally prevented by the installation of a cold roof.

MYTH #4: Replacing existing shingles or installing more ice and water shield membranes on an existing roof will eliminate leakage from ice dams.

FACT: Water shield membranes and similar products are simply not intended to prevent damage resulting from conditions of standing water on the roof. They are designed to prevent problems with condensation under the shingles in the summertime, not prevent water migration into roofing substrate.

Also, replacing damaged shingles, adding new shingles or replacing a roof altogether do not solve old problems: they are thoroughly ineffective in preventing backed up water from seeping through to the home below. Bottom line: even if you get a brand new roof, problems with ice dams and icicles will inevitably return.

MYTH #5: Zig-zag cables on the roof and/or heating cables in the gutters are effective in the prevention of ice dams.

FACT: Heating cables were originally designed to keep gutters free from ice and to keep water pipes from freezing. So these cables are great for keeping gutters clear, but in truth they do very little to help in the fight against ice dam formation. If you live in an area of the country that has a relatively mild climate and receives only moderate amounts of snow fall, the use of zig-zag cables along the roof line is perfectly adequate. But they are completely ineffective in cold, extremely snowy climes and, when snowfall exceeds just 4 inches, will

only be able to create small melted tunnels around the immediate area. The truth is: these cables were just not designed to handle massive amounts of snow. Ice dams will form above and below the melted areas surrounding the zig-zag cable.

Article: Thermal Technologies

For more information call:

Gutterglove

888.654.4942

www.icedamwi.com

Gutterglove: The Ultimate in Ice Dam Prevention

Roof De-icing systems are one of the best investments you can make to protect your roof from ice damage. Freeze thaw conditions will form dangerous ice dams and icicles that will cause leaking and structural damage to your roof. Snow accumulation will also create heavy weight loads on a roof that are often difficult to remove and potentially dangerous. Snow and ice can now be cleared away with a well designed roof de-icing system. Save money while making your home or business safer by adding a roof de-icing system. You will expand the life of your roof and reduce the havoc that snow and ice can inflict on any roof.

Residential: Solve Residential Ice Dam Problems

Is your home affected by ice-dams and thick snow build-up in the winter season? A roof collapse or other severe weather damage is common when your house or small business is not protected properly from cold weather challenges. Our De-Icing system is designed to eliminate snow barriers and prevent ice dams from forming. These products are perfect for your home or office: totally shielding your roof from winter damage. Gutterglove can solve your problem - big or small and our professional team will install a de-icing system that is custom-tailored for your roof it's just that easy.

Market area: All of Southern Wisconsin

We serve Madison, Kenosha, Racine, Janesville, Fond du Lac, Beloit, Greenfield, Franklin, Sun Prairie, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Mequon, Fitchburg, Muskego, Watertown, Pleasant Prairie, Cudahy, Middleton, Beaver Dam, Burlington, Lake Geneva, Delavan, Whitewater, Verona, Oregon, McFarland and Rockford, IL

Call Toll Free at 888.654.4942

Gutter Glove Gutter Guards | Wisconsin

Gutterglove Gutter Guard has locations in Kenosha, Columbus, & Madison, Wisconsin, and we're able to ship our products throughout the state of Wisconsin and into Northern Illinois.