I could use comments on this one

[Bob Elliott]

From todays inspection, this run had a switch in the basement near the door for heat tape which was up in the gutters.

Bearing in mind that the heat tape is made for out door use , is it allowed to be permenantly installed this way?.

( other than clogging the gutter issue.) Need words.

Seems like automatic shock hazard but then the gutter is metal too.

[gbeaumont]

Hi Bob,

How about stupid and dangerous??

Failing that lets just go with, down spout being improperly used as electrical conduit

OH BTW, nice siding material!!

Regards

Gerry

[Michael Larson]

Gerry, while this install is at least suspect as the downspout is being used as a raceway, we do have gutter and roof ice melting systems up here because of the potential of ice dams in the great white North.

Here is one type.

[Bob Elliott]

Thanks Gerry and that is my point Mike.

So what is my defect comment?

[Speedy Petey]

That is a hard one.
This is not really a case of using the gutter as a conduit. The heat tape IS supposed to go up inside the leader.
I think the heat tape in the sealtite is an issue since it is supposed to be in free air. I think it would over heat inside the flexible conduit.

[Michael Larson]

Speedy, Bob didn't post a picture of what he said was heat tape. Bob?

Gutter/downspout and roof installation instructions are here for the type I am familiar with.

[Bob Elliott]

I do not have a pic of it coming out of the gutter.
Unless it was encluded in one of my roof shots by accident. (duh I know but that hatch weighed 100 pounds.)(caught the gutter run after the ladder was back.)

[Christopher Currins]

How secure is the conduit to the wall Bob? With the height it's set at and the location, I'd be concerned with kids climbing on it and pulling it right off of the wall.

[Bob Elliott]

If you saw the roof shots with all the clogged waste stacks you would know why I was preoccupied


I do recall seeing the heat tape futher up (note gutter raceway below in background)

[Bob Elliott]

Chris that was not really much of a concern.

300 defect pics.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by relliott

Chris that was not really much of a concern.

300 defect pics.

That's only 25 per unit. I hope they don't find out where you live.

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Gerry, while this install is at least suspect as the downspout is being used as a raceway, we do have gutter and roof ice melting systems up here because of the potential of ice dams in the great white North.

Here is one type.

I know Mike, I lived above the artic circle in MA & NH for 10 years

Way too familiar with ice damning, why do you think I live in the sun damning state??

Regards

Gerry

[Bob Elliott]

Chris see my other thread in electric for one of the fun ones.

Mike according to your link it may be ok to clog a gutter with conductors.

Great I can save that $3 a 8 foot section of conduit from now on.

[Speedy Petey]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Speedy, Bob didn't post a picture of what he said was heat tape. Bob?

I maybe mistook this as saying this was the heat tape installation:

Originally Posted by relliott

From todays inspection, this run had a switch in the basement near the door for heat tape which was up in the gutters.

Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by relliott

Chris see my other thread in electric for one of the fun ones.

Mike according to your link it may be ok to clog a gutter with conductors.

Great I can save that $3 a 8 foot section of conduit from now on.

Bob I would bet any money you like that the UL listing for that heat tape does not include its installation within down spouts, I'll also place the same bet on the down spout not being a UL listed raceway.

Regards

Gerry