I've heard good things about turbines lasting a long time too, but honestly I'm still kinda skeptical about them holding up in tougher weather. Maybe installation really is key, like you said.
I've dealt with ridge vents in some pretty snowy regions, and honestly, they've held up pretty well. The key seems to be keeping the ridge clear enough that snow doesn't pile up too high and block airflow. I remember one winter we had a record snowfall, and I ended up on the roof with a broom more times than I'd like to admit... but overall, no major issues. Still, makes me wonder—do turbine vents actually handle heavy snow any better, or is it just another trade-off?
I've had turbines on my roof for years in a pretty snowy area, and honestly, they're not magic either. Snow can still pile up around them and freeze them solid sometimes. Had to climb up there once or twice to knock ice off...so yeah, trade-offs either way.
Interesting to hear about the turbines freezing up—I hadn't really considered that. Makes me wonder if heated cables around the turbines would help at all, or would that just be overkill? I've seen them used along roof edges to prevent ice dams, but not sure if they'd be effective in your situation. Has anyone tried something like that, or is it just another thing that'll break down eventually...?
"Makes me wonder if heated cables around the turbines would help at all, or would that just be overkill?"
Honestly, heated cables around turbines might be more trouble than they're worth. I've installed them plenty of times along roof edges to handle ice dams, and even then, they're not foolproof—plus, they do eventually fail. Turbines freezing up usually points to ventilation or insulation issues. I'd tackle those first before adding another gadget that'll probably break down mid-winter... Murphy's law, right?
Yeah, heated cables can be a bit hit or miss in my experience too. Had a neighbor who put them up around his turbines thinking it'd solve everything—ended up with ice still forming higher up where the cables didn't reach. He wasn't thrilled, to say the least. Like you mentioned, insulation and ventilation seem to be the real culprits most of the time. If warm air's escaping into your attic space, it's gonna melt snow unevenly and cause ice build-up anyway.
Have you checked if your attic insulation is sufficient or evenly distributed? Sometimes just adding a bit more insulation or sealing up air leaks can make a huge difference. Might save you from dealing with another gadget that could fail when you need it most...