Adding heat tapes along roof edges can melt holes through existing ice dams, preventing water back-up and leaks into the building attic or walls, as well as preventing future ice dam leaks. While adequate ventilation and insulation, as well as maybe an ice and water shield, are the most appropriate and trustworthy repairs for roof ice dam problems, heat tapes can give immediate relief when ice dam problems are already present on a structure. The tape is made of polypropylene material and it's black in color, so it won't be visible from the street side or from inside the home. The tape is easy to install. You will need to measure off each edge of the roof carefully to ensure that you cover all areas where ice may form. Then, follow the instructions below to apply the tape: 1. First, remove any existing shingles or other roof materials to allow room for the tape to expand without tearing away at the top layer of your roof. Next, lay out sections of the tape along the edges of the roof with the adhesive side up. Make sure that you leave about 1/4 inch of space in between pieces of tape for air circulation. Finally, fold the free end of each section over onto itself and press down firmly to secure it to the roof. 2. Water should be allowed to drain from underneath the tape before it gets re-applied in order to prevent damage from occurring while not applying enough pressure could result in a leaky repair.