Heated roof from snow. Roof heating or de-icing

Roof heating is a necessary measure to prevent frost on the roof. Heating occurs due to the anti-icing system, which prevents the accumulation of snow and ice formation with the help of electric cables. Cables are installed on the roof and along the structural elements of gutters and near the valleys. Roof heating eliminates the formation of icicles and the need for manual cleaning, which carry the risk of a threat to life. At the same time, the service life of the roof covering increases, there is no deformation of the gutters and drains due to the accumulation of snow and ice, and there is no damage during mechanical processing.

Principle of operation

Roof and gutter heating is provided by a heating circuit. The operation of the device is based on heating due to the internal resistance to electric current of a metal conductor covered with one or two layers of insulation with a copper or steel screen. The heating circuit consists of heating cable sections, insulating and fastening elements. On signal and power cables, along with switches and switching devices, the operability of the heating element lies. Heating is controlled by a thermostat, temperature and humidity sensors. In intelligent execution mode, the connection to the weather station is established.

The operation of the automatic anti-icing system is reproduced from the input of signals from temperature and humidity sensors. If the temperature drops below the set value, the sensor will give a command to turn on the heating elements. But only at a specific level of humidity, at which the liquid freezes, voltage will be applied and heating will turn on. When the signal sensor is in the water, the power supply will stop. The principle of operation of such a system ensures the economy of use.

Heating the roof with a resistive heating cable in winter prevents the accumulation of snow masses on the roofs, clogging and breakage of pipes, the formation of ice and icicles. This will ensure the safety of residents, stop the destruction of the roof, cornices and gutters, and significantly increase their service life. A simple measure - installing a cable anti-icing system on the roof - today solves most of the problems that citizens face in the conditions of the Russian winter and temperature changes, and allows you to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Roof heating today is the only reliable and effective way to protect against icing. The anti-icing system has sufficient power to ensure heating of the roof and gutters, timely snow melting and unhindered removal of melt water from the roof surface away from the house. Employees of MZK-Electro, at the request of customers, will accurately calculate the power and layout of heating cables, and correctly mount the equipment.

Benefits of an anti-icing roof heating system

You no longer have to spend time and effort on manual cleaning of roofs, knocking down ice, repairing communications for water drainage. By laying cables, designing and creating an electric heating system once, you can be sure that the roof, gutters and facade of the house will be safe, their normal functioning will not depend on the climate.

Cable heating has a lot of indisputable advantages:

the optimum temperature is automatically maintained,
the formation of icing, the descent of snow and ice layers from the roof of the house is prevented,
the possibility of blockage and deformation of sections of the drainage system with ice mass, damage to heating elements is excluded,
there is no need for manual cleaning of the roof, gutters and gutters,
heating of the roof and drainage communications with a resistive or self-regulating electrical cable dramatically reduces the cost of roof maintenance, especially considering the possible costs of restoring damage.

In addition, heating equipped with carefully thought-out anti-icing technology can last more than 30 years without fail.

The cable system consists of the following standard elements:

Control panel - a cabinet with a temperature controller (thermostat), protective and signal automation.
Control cable from the control panel to the temperature sensor.
Electric cable laid on the roof from the control panel to the junction boxes.
Junction boxes from which the heating cable will be powered, located on the roof of the building, in protected and accessible places for revision.

Heating part:

heating cable laid along valleys, gutters, drains and flat areas,

fasteners, couplings.

The cable has unique operational and technical parameters. It meets modern fire safety requirements, has high mechanical strength and water resistance, increased resistance to deformation, exposure to sunlight and precipitation.

What is needed for design and calculations

To calculate the heating scheme, the masters of the MZK-Electro company use a roof plan with a drainage system marked on it (pipe locations, drainage materials and height marks) and snow retention means. In the absence of roof drawings necessary to accurately calculate the power of the circuit and the length of the resistive or self-regulating heating cable, photographs of the building and roof, as well as the exact values of the following parameters, will be useful:

Gutter lengths;
Number and length of downpipes;
The presence of valleys;
The presence of snow retention.

Specialists will provide a preliminary calculation of the cost of materials, the consumption of a heating cable and other elements, and work on installing heating, and in the future they will clarify the estimate and draw up an agreement. For an accurate calculation, a visit of our specialist is required. Departure is free!

The minimum electricity consumption during the operation of the roof heating system is ensured by high-quality cables, high-precision sensors and temperature regulators. The self-regulating heating cable in the anti-icing system constantly works in standby mode, starts to perform its functions only when necessary and does not cause excessive energy consumption.

Installation of roof heating and drainage communications requires specific knowledge and experience. The MZK-Electro company, using a flexible discount scheme, will perform work from design to installation of powerful cable systems for electric heating. The work will be done quickly and with high quality, taking into account the characteristics of any building and the climatic conditions of the area. The device of a modern cable heating system of the roof will completely eliminate the icing of roofs, gutters and gutters, guarantee the safety of residents and passers-by in cold weather from the formation and fall of snow layers.

During the period of cold weather, frost forms on roofs and water drainage systems, which is dangerous not only for the roof, but also for people, since ice that has broken off the roof carries a serious threat. To prevent the formation of frost, it is equipped with a roof heating system. Its installation is similar to the "warm floor" system - a heating wire is installed over the entire roof area. This process contains many nuances that you need to know.

Reasons for the formation of ice on the roof

1. One of the reasons for the formation of ice is the poor quality of the roof insulation. Under it are heated rooms that heat the surface and lead to the formation of an ice crust and icicles. From heat loss, snow begins to melt even at low temperatures, melt water moves over the roof area, and on planes with a lower temperature, the water freezes again. In this situation, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause - to insulate the roof, if the thermal insulation is installed correctly, then it will work efficiently and economically.

2. Another reason for the formation of ice is seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations. Even if the entire roof structure is installed correctly, temperature fluctuations during the day and at night lead to the formation of ice. This scheme is similar to that described above, with the difference that it is not the temperature fluctuation in different parts of the roof that plays a role here, but the temperature difference over its entire area at night and day. During the day, the rays of the sun fall on the house, which heat it up and make the snow masses melt, and at night, when the temperature drops, they freeze again and a crust forms. In such a situation, cable heating of the roof will help.

Roof heating system overview

The principle of operation of the heating system is based on heat transfer from the installed electric cable. The system is mounted on the roof, along gutters, downpipes, in all places of accumulation of ice and snow masses. Heating provides a stable temperature of the roof surface, so that the snow melts evenly, goes into the drainage system, without forming ice and icicles.

1. Functional purpose of the heating system:

prevents growths of icicles;
helps to drain melt water from the roof surface;
prevents blockage of water drainage systems, and, consequently, their deformation;
reduces the mechanical load on the roof;
completely eliminates the need to remove the stack and ice from the roof manually;
prolongs the life of roofing;
does not require human participation in the management of the system, automates the heating of the roof.

2. Components and roof heating scheme:

electric heating wire;
parts for fasteners;
control panel:
- input three-phase protective circuit breaker;
- four-pole contractor;
- device for protective shutdown;
- circuit breakers for each phase, single-pole;
- signal lamp;
- circuit protection machine that controls the thermostat.
distribution network details:
- power supply wire;
- signal wire, which is located between the thermostat sensors and the control unit;
- mounting boxes;
- connecting and end sleeves for heating wire.

3. How the roof heating system works:

the heating part is an electric wire that heats the roof and the water drain. The wire runs from the front of the valleys, gutters, weirs, storm drains, trays, downpipes. It is selected in such a way as to meet all fire safety rules, with high strength against mechanical stress and resistance to temperature extremes, humidity and direct sunlight. Roof cable heating system does not require dismantling for the summer period, it is suitable for all types of roofing;

the distribution and information part consists of power wires, mounting elements and distribution boxes. This part of the system plays a distributing role, it transmits electrical power to the heating element and ensures the passage of signals from the roof heating control sensors to the control cabinet and back;
the control part is temperature controllers, air temperature sensors, control panel, starting parts and protection, adjustment devices. The control system is selected based on the power of the heating elements. If the system is equipped with self-regulating wires, then they function without a control system, the power is regulated based on rainfall and ambient temperature. But for the correct and efficient operation of the system, it is necessary to install temperature controllers.

Roof heating, installation, general overview of work

it is necessary to make sure that all heating sections correspond to the area of the roof heating zones, cut out pieces of the required size from them, mount the couplings, lay them out and fasten them;
with the help of strips of mounting tape, the electrical cable is fixed in the drains across the gutter. To achieve maximum strength and durability of the structure, it is necessary to select a thick mounting tape. The installation step of the tape for the resistive wire is 0.25 m, for the self-regulating wire - 0.5 m. When attaching the tape to the gutter with rivets, sealant is used as an additional fastener;

on the inside of the drain, the wires are fixed with a mounting tape or a heat-shrinkable tube. If the height of the drainpipes exceeds 6 m, then the wires are additionally mounted on a metal cable with an insulation sheath, which reduces the bearing load;
in the mark of the pipe and the funnel, the heating wire is mounted with rivets and tape;
to the roof, electrical wires are mounted with tape and sealant;
fasten mounting boxes, call, determine the insulation resistance index of heating parts;
install thermostat sensors, signal and power wires;
carry out the installation of the control cabinet;
measure the resistance, ring the power and signal wires;
monitor the protective shutdown device;
adjust the thermostat;
carry out start-up and commissioning activities.

Step-by-step instructions for installing roof heating

1. Creation of a project for a roof heating system:

areas that require heating are determined;
a cable for heating the roof and control elements are selected;
the place for mounting the connection elements is determined;
the number of electrical wires and the method of their installation are planned;
the power of the system, phases, circuit breakers is calculated;
the method of installation of power wires is determined;
the automatic equipment of the control board is selected.

2. Determination of areas for installation of the system:

heating zones are the zones of the most massive collection of snow and ice masses on the roof, they are formed due to weather conditions, the material and construction of the roof. The best scheme is to heat the valleys, the roof overhang and the drain at the same time. It is a mistake to assume that the price of roof heating will decrease if the wires are laid only on the roof surface, since such a system is not enough for high-quality functioning. Ice jams often form in gutters and drainpipes, which do not allow melt water to pass.
the total length of the electrical wire is equal to the area of all roof parts that are selected for the installation of heating elements. In structures with sloped slopes, where there is a danger of snow falling, it is necessary to install a snow mass retention system. The heating wires are installed in a zigzag pattern between the edge and the snow stop system. The heating of a flat roof installation of such a system does not provide for and is limited to the installation of heating wires on gutters and pipes.

3. Choice of wires:

resistive wire - a product made of a metal core and insulation, has a stable resistance indicator, heating and power. Another advantage of such a wire is its low price. The principle of its operation is that the core of the metal is heated under the influence of internal resistance. Most often, such wires are used to heat large areas of the roof and waste structures. The best option is the laying of a zonal resistive electrical wire with a nichrome heating filament. These wires have a power that does not depend on the length, that is, the material is cut into sections of any size;
self-regulating wire is considered more technologically advanced, it consists of a matrix, insulation, braid and outer sheath. Its design includes a matrix that changes the resistance and heating level based on the external temperature indicator. If the air temperature rises, then the number of conductive paths in the matrix decreases, thereby reducing the power of the self-regulating wire;

mixed wire type is the best option in terms of quality and price. Most often, wires are purchased that are not expensive, of a resistive type for heating the roof, while a self-regulating cable is mounted on water drainage systems.

4. Components of the control system:

a thermostat with a heating system with the required temperature range, most often the run-up is -8 - + 3 ° C;
weather station - controls the temperature, the presence of precipitation on the roof and the process of their melting. It contains a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor in its design, there are models that have a precipitation and thawing sensor in tandem.

5. Installation of cable and junction boxes:

junction boxes are mounted in such a way that there is free space and access for technical work. Most often, boxes are mounted on the roof, not far from the heating sections; installation on parapets, attics, fences, under canopies is also allowed;
To carry out the correct heating installation procedure, it is necessary to start it with the calculation of the length of the wire and determine the installation location. The length of the valley, the components of the system, is measured, the number and footage of water drainage systems are calculated. The ratio is used in the calculations - for every 100-150 mm of the gutter, a power of 30-60 W per meter is required, for a gutter thickness of 150 mm, a power of 200 W per m2 is selected;

wires are mounted in the water drain gutters and areas around them. Their length is calculated based on the drawings - the length of the water runoff gutters is taken into account and about 10% is left in reserve. The number of threads of wires depends on the width of the gutter, the specific power is 400 W/m. Wires are mounted with rivets and tape;
wires are also laid on cornices, water drain funnels and pipes. For waste systems, self-regulating wires are used, if a resistive wire is installed, then separators are installed between the threads to prevent contact. The distance between each separator is 25-30 cm, the number of threads is selected based on the diameter of the water drain pipes, their material and climate;
wires are laid on drainage trays, water collectors, valleys and joints of individual roof parts. The number of mounted wire threads ranges from 2 to 4, the wire in the valleys is fixed from above and below with a cable and tape;

power is calculated according to the standard indicators, which are 18-22 W per meter for resistive wires, 15-30 W per linear meter for self-regulating wires. If the water drainage system is made of polymer, then the cable power is taken no higher than 17 W per linear meter, in which case the drain will not deteriorate when using the system;
the supply wire is routed based on the requirements of the PUE, which depend on the wiring conditions;
for protection against electric shock, an RCD leakage block is installed I ut = 30 mA;
for the equipment of the roof heating system, the heat slope is insulated without holes; for this, an aluminum tape is used, which is attached along the entire length and pressed tightly against the roof;
if the roof is not equipped with a water drainage system, then a “dripping edge” scheme is mounted on structures with a slight slope, and a “dripping loop” with a large slope.

There may be too much snow. In such cases, it is no longer necessary to talk about additional insulation of the roof with a snow cap, the main thing is to prevent overload on the rafter system. One of the best ways is to melt snow with the help of special heating systems, which we will discuss in this review.

How snowmelt systems work

Some types of roofs with blind thermal insulation practically do not receive heat from the inner layers, and a lot of snow accumulates on them. This can turn into a serious problem, especially if your region is characterized by heavy rainfall. If in winter the air temperature constantly changes from positive to negative, then the danger can also come from icing. Definitely snow requires removal on roofs with a slope of less than 6 ° and with a rough coating.

Where manual snow removal is not possible, previously it was necessary to deliberately allow heat to leak through the ceiling and roof, which led to its useless waste in the absence of precipitation. You can use energy more productively with the help of roof heating systems.

Their organization is extremely simple: a heating element is laid under or on the roof covering. Power is supplied only when excess snow accumulates on the roof. Using different temperature regimes, it is possible to cause partial thawing and runoff of melted snow into the drain, or local controlled snowfall from the roof. Predominantly heating as anti-icing is organized by:

along the eaves;
along the drain;
along the valley;
along the perimeter of skylights.

Cable or film

The device of snowmelt systems is identical to the device of electric underfloor heating. Heating can be carried out either with a resistive cable with a high resistivity or with a film with graphite conductive tracks. Cables are divided into:

passive with constant power;
self-regulating, changing its resistivity depending on temperature.

Not to say that any of the systems has pronounced advantages, they are simply convenient under different implementation conditions.

The obvious advantage of resistive cable is the relative ease of installation. At the same time, the risk of damage to the conductor by the fastening material is minimal. However, the connecting elements of the system, and there are much more of them than on a warm floor, can heat up too much due to the increased resistance at the point of contact.

Scheme of the roof heating cable system: 1 - downpipe; 2 - gutter; 3 - cable fastening clips; 4 - valley; 5 - heating cable

It is optimal to use cables on roofs with a metal carrier system and non-combustible insulation. When used on wooden roofs, additional protection measures and the use of a cable in a localization sheath will be required.

In self-regulating cables, the active heating element is a semiconductor polymer matrix located between two conductive wires. Its efficiency is higher, and the cost of electricity for heating the roof is less, due to the variable power consumption depending on the ambient temperature. However, its cost is much higher than a conventional resistive element.

Self-regulating cable: 1 - conductive wires; 2 - self-regulating conductive matrix; 3 - thermoplastic insulation; 4 - metal braid; 5 - external insulation

The film provides uniform heating, which leads to simultaneous thawing of the snow layer and its descent. This allows you to turn on the heating less often, saving energy, besides, for the film, the power limit per square meter is higher - up to 100 watts. And yet, the film is not always suitable due to the high cost, the likelihood of breakdown when fixing the coating, and also due to the lack of wide distribution. It can only be fixed under the roofing material.

Standard and typical systems

Conventionally, snowmelt systems are divided into complexes of open and hidden installation. The first type is popular because of the ease of installation and almost complete independence from the roof structure. However, it is impossible to break the roofing, so the fixing of the heating element is often very conditional.

For open installation, only a heating cable is used, usually paired with a snow retainer systemso that the avalanche of ice does not harm the system. As a rule, in open systems only a section of 1-1.5 m from the eaves is heated; on long slopes, heaters are installed just above each line of snow retainers.

Flush-mounted systems are often film-based. The exception is projects in which the cable is laid in the gaps between the boards of the crate. The heating elements of such systems are completely isolated from the external environment, they are more durable and do not spoil the appearance of the roof.

For flat exploited roofs, this is the only option. But for a flexible roof, this approach is completely inapplicable: even if the installation is carried out under a layer of continuous lathing, there is a high probability of damaging the elements with fasteners.

Heating systems for overflows, drains and a hidden storm system are made with an open-mounted heating cable. The system is laid along all downpipes and eliminates the re-freezing of snow and ice that have melted on the roof.

Roof and gutter installation

It is recommended to use heating systems, the fasteners for which are installed in the course of laying piece roofing elements. Long plates or spokes with an eye can securely attach to the batten and support the cable without disturbing the coating.

There are other ways to fix the heating cord:

on stretch marks;
using a mounting plate;
by chemically fixing the brackets to the surface.

The choice between installation methods depends on the type of roofing, the slope of the slope and a number of other conditions.

For installation of the cable in the gutter of the drainage system, arc retainers are used, which are attached to the wall of the drainage system by means of rivets. In vertical pipes and blind ducts, the heating cable is folded in half and mounted together with a stainless or anodized chain, to which it is connected with plastic clamps. To support the cable, a suspension on a steel knitting needle is used, the reverse end is looped 10-15 cm from the lower neck of the drain and attached to it.

Electrical connection and control

The greatest difficulty in the installation of anti-icing systems is the assembly of switching and automation devices, as well as the wiring of power cables. There are two parts of the circuit. Warm is a heating cable or film, and cold is a copper wire that feeds it with stranded cores with foamed vinyl insulation.

Cold wires must be wrapped in PVC corrugation, resistant to ultraviolet radiation and temperature extremes. At the junction of the two zones, insulating plates are installed, followed by sealing. Cold wiring runs along the wall of the building or eaves to junction boxes, which are connected by thicker conductors to the output terminals of the control unit.

To operate the system in automatic mode, two sensors are used - precipitation (humidity) and temperature. The temperature sensor is mounted on the north side of the house and is connected by a signal wire to the control unit. It is also possible to install a second temperature sensor directly under the roof at the location of the heater. This allows you to limit the maximum heating temperature and save a significant part of the electricity.

Roof heating automatic control system: 1 - humidity sensor; 2 - temperature sensor; 3 - controller (control unit); 4 - heating cable

The humidity sensor can be integrated into the temperature sensor, sometimes it is also placed in the blind section of the drain. The principle of operation is to turn on the roof heating when precipitation appears and turn it off when it is gone. Active cables are not temperature controlled.

The control unit can consist of a complete device, including a controller and a relay group, or be assembled from modular devices. In the latter case, the DIN standard technique for mounting on a 35 mm rail is used. The assembly includes a timer, a multi-pole contactor, a temperature controller and protective automation, and when working at low voltage, there is also a power source.

The article provides information on the correct choice of a reliable roof and gutters heating system for your home or cottage. After reading the article, you will receive a lot of useful and important information that will be useful during the construction process and will help you ask the right questions when ordering roof heating. in a construction company and be sure to make the right choice based on the advice and recommendations received in my article.

The roof heating system helps protect the roof from the effects of bad weather in the winter. Source goldkryshi.ru

Roof heating and its functions

Now this innovation is just coming into wide use. Many people neglect roof de-icing work because they are afraid of wasting electricity and money to create the system itself. However, it is worth considering that such an approach can lead to an accelerated failure of the roofing pie. This will entail unscheduled repairs, and, consequently, unnecessary financial costs. Let's see how roof heating protects the roof.

So, the use of this system allows you to get rid of systematic ice, which causes significant damage to the structure, violating its waterproofing. By the way, do not hope that timely cleaning will solve the problem. It will not cope with all the moisture that accumulates on the roof and gutters. In addition, when the roof is heated, you get rid of falling icicles and snow, thereby increasing safety.

There are other ways to deal with icing. For example, the arrangement of a special attic ventilation system or the treatment of the roof with anti-icing emulsions. However, all these methods are imperfect, require constant financial costs and take you a lot of time, and also lower the temperature inside the building. Therefore, the best option is the correct heating of the roof.

Installation of an icing channel will help get rid of many problems Source eurohouse.ua

What is a roof heating system

It is called differently: snow melting system, heating system or anti-ice. Such a device consists of a large number of sensors, wires, executive and instrumentation, as well as heating elements. Such a complex prevents the formation of icing on the roof surface and prevents excess snow from accumulating.

It is not necessary to heat the entire surface of the roof, therefore, for the installation of heaters, certain places are selected that are most prone to the accumulation of ice and snow, as well as places that can let moisture into the roofing pie. So the system must necessarily cover the edges of the slopes and the surface of the valley, and also cover the entire length of the gutters.

Important! The roof heating system must be located below the snow guards. Firstly, this will allow you not to spend too much electricity on heating sections of the roof that do not require it. Secondly, the melting of the snow cap on the roof increases the thermal conductivity of the roofing pie, which leads to accelerated heat loss.

It is also convenient that the cables can be mounted after construction is completed at any free time, because the system is most often located on the surface of the roofing material.

Roof heating cable can be installed at any time Source kryshadoma.com

If the roof heating system of your house is done correctly and competently, then you can forget about the snow falling from the roof. Another such device facilitates the load on the rafter system, which contributes to greater durability of the roofing pie. Additionally, you will get good protection for the drain. After all, there are frequent cases when it cracks from the icy accumulated water inside.

By the way, the anti-icing system relieves the owners of the house from regular manual cleaning of the roofing material.

roofing works of any complexity on a turnkey basis. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

How does the roof heating system work?

Let's figure out what are the main elements that make up the system and how they should be located.

Approximate scheme for laying a heating system on the roof Source dom-electro.ru

The whole complex of heating equipment usually consists of three main components.

The heating unit includes a network of single or double heating wires. It is also worth pointing out at this point that a special film can also be used as a heating element. It is important that the heating elements meet certain requirements. They must be adapted to sudden changes in temperature, as well as to power surges. The system must also be resistant to excess moisture. If you plan to walk on the roof, then resistance to mechanical damage is a mandatory requirement for a heating unit.

The information and distribution block is designed to control the transfer of electricity from the network to the heaters. This part of the system provides information in the form of sensor readings and feeds all the components of the anti-icing complex. It is better to install all sensors and elements of this block in places where moisture does not get. For example, in the attic or under the roof overhang.

The control unit includes thermostats, weather sensors, as well as devices that allow you to change the temperature of the roof and the power supply manually. A variant with a self-adjusting control system is possible. There is no need to constantly adjust the operation of the heating complex, and the necessary changes are introduced automatically. In this case, the mini-computer makes decisions based on readings from weather sensors.

The icing cable is also laid in the drain channel Source eximtec-plus.com.ua

On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of completing the construction of unfinished houses. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

How to choose the right heating system

Such systems differ primarily in the type of heating element. There are options with the use of cable or film heaters. The second method has much in common with the "warm floor" system. An important difference is that the film must be located inside the roofing pie, because it is not designed for serious loads and is poorly adapted to mechanical damage. But the cable, on the contrary, can be on the surface of the roofing material. But the wire can fit inside. This is usually used when installing a heating system for flat roofs, and also during the construction of high-rise buildings. Cables are used exclusively for heating gutters and pipes.

The cable is used for external heating of the roof Source domsireni.ru

Characteristics of different types of heating elements:

This is a matrix with polymer insulation and two strands of wires inside. It also includes a metal braid and an additional layer of insulating material. If it gets warmer outside, then the number of conductive paths inside the matrix decreases and, as a result, the temperature of the heater decreases. There are many advantages to this type of heater. Firstly, cable installation is quick and does not require much experience. Secondly, the matrix itself is resistant to overlaps and spot heating, thanks to the temperature self-regulation system. Thirdly, such a cable can be used in combination with absolutely any roofing materials. An important plus is that the system selects the optimal temperature and thereby prevents the consumption of excess electricity. It is possible to install such heaters without the use of weather sensors, and also with the help of a self-regulating cable it is possible to heat gutters.

Self-adjusting wire most easily mounted on the roof Source raychemfutokabel.hu

resistive wire

Heating occurs due to the resistance of the conductor. Such a cable can be two-core and single-core. The insulation is made from a layer of polymer, and on higher quality models a nichrome core is used. When installing such a cable, you need to pay attention to the fact that both the beginning and the end of each wire must necessarily converge at one point. There is one rather serious disadvantage of such a heating system: in the event of a point damage, the entire anti-icing complex fails. Installation is inconvenient, because the resistive cable cannot be cut. This method is suitable for heating large areas of the roof.

The resistive system is more complex, it is better to entrust it to an experienced master Source teploobogrev.ru

Film heater

Represents a flexible film, with veins from a carbonic conductor. It heats such material with the entire surface, since conductive strips are often located over the entire area of the heater. It is very convenient to transport and store, because such a film is sold in small rolls. This material is attached only under the roofing, so it can only be used in the case of roof reconstruction or during the construction process. Installation of such a heater should be entrusted to specialists. In the event of local damage, the heating system does not fail, but loses efficiency. During the repair process, it is always possible to replace the damaged section of the film heater. I would like to note that the film is very safe, it does not self-ignite. Uniform heating of the surface gives good energy savings.

Film heater mounted on the inside of the roof Source liquidsystems.ru

When choosing materials, you should pay attention to their cost. The most expensive is to use a film heater. Self-regulating cable costs a little less, and the most budget option is resistive wire. But I would like to note that roof heating using a self-regulating cable is more economical and will provide good benefits in the future. Also note that the installation of an anti-icing system on the roof surface is possible only if there are snow retainers. Otherwise, the entire network will simply be torn down during heavy snowfall. Various improvements and options make the whole complex more expensive, but the choice is always yours. Remember that you should order a heating system for the roof, based on the characteristics of your particular roof.

The heating system is selected based on the type and characteristics of the roof Source ms.decorexpro.com

Installation of a roof heating system

First you need to figure out which area of \u200b\u200bthe roof requires heating. As already mentioned, these are valleys, overhangs and places of accumulation of a large amount of snow and ice, as well as drains. It is worth noting that the benefits of partial heating of areas in need of it are much lower than of heating the roof in all problem areas. After you have decided on the area to be heated, you need to calculate the required amount of materials and purchase them.

So, after all the materials are selected and purchased, you can proceed with the installation. Below you will find information on how to correctly install the entire system.

Experienced hands will not make mistakes when installing a roof heating cable system Source: promalp-moskva.ru

The first step is to completely clean the entire surface of the roof, as well as gutters from debris or leaves. Next, a mounting tape is installed in the required places. The next step is to install the junction box. It is worth bringing to it and fixing the “cold” end of the cable, previously threaded into the corrugated tube. After completing this procedure, the cable should be laid out inside the gutters, fixing it with the antennae of the fastening tape. Now you need to fix the wire inside the drainpipe. To do this, the cable is attached to the chain, for example, with plastic ties, and this entire system is threaded into the pipe. After that, it is worth fixing the upper segment. The bottom edge can be fixed using metal ties. Next, you need to lay out the loops on the surface of the roof and secure them using the antennae of the tape for this. If the roof slopes are too steep, then it would be better to add plastic ties. Now you can install the weather sensors. They should be located on the north side of the building next to the junction box. The next step is to check the entire wiring system. The quality of the system can be determined by measuring the resistance in the circuit and comparing the readings obtained with the data indicated in the product data sheet. It remains only to fix the control panel inside the room. After installation is complete, the temperature of the system must be measured to compare it with the data you entered.

The structure of the heating system on the roof Source liderbudowlany.pl

Video description

You can familiarize yourself with the procedure for installing roof heating, gutters and gutters by watching the video:

If the test showed the correct result, then the installation of the anti-icing system was carried out correctly. In this case, you get good reliable heating of the roof and gutters. Such a system will increase the life of the roof, as well as eliminate the inconvenience associated with the fall of icicles and snow from overhangs.

Conclusion

A competent choice and high-quality installation of a roof anti-icing system will avoid the problem of clogging the drain channels and the destruction of the entire drainage system when snow melts from the roof. But it is better to entrust the design and installation of roof heating to professionals, because otherwise you can get a system that consumes too much electricity or does not cope with its duties.