In winter, the roofs of buildings are littered with snow, and from its melting water flows into the drainpipes. There it freezes, forming ice jams. As a result, the drains are covered with icicles, which is unsafe for others. To avoid all problematic circumstances, they conduct heating of the roof and gutters.
Need for heating
When designing a structure for anti-icing, such nuances as:
- gutter dimensions;
- type and material of roofing;
- climatic area of application.
The system eliminates the appearance of ice on the drain and along the edges of the roof of the building. By installing it, you will simultaneously do several useful things:
- protect yourself and others from injury;
- protect the roof from leakage, which can be caused by snow retention on the surface during the thaw period;
- extend the service life of the building and gutter system.
Benefits of a heating installation
Installing an anti-icing system will bring you many benefits becauseher:
- ensures continuous operation of the drain throughout the year;
- Protects downspouts and building façade elements from damage;
- prevents the formation of icicles and frost;
- eliminates the need for additional cleaning of roofs and gutters in winter;
- extends roof service lines;
- requires minimal power.
Heating cable mounting locations
When roof and gutter heating is installed, heating cables are installed in the following locations:
- trays;
- water collectors;
- drainpipes;
- cornices;
- chute;
- droppers;
- joints of slopes and other places of possible accumulation of water.
Design of anti-icing system
A standard roof heating system has the following structural elements:
- heating sections - cables;
- junction boxes;
- information cables;
- control systems;
- system control cabinet;
- power cables;
- thermostats;
- temperature, water and precipitation sensors;
- control and protection equipment;
- fasteners.
How the system works
Cable heating of roofs and gutters has a very simple principle of operation. The heating cable is located along the edge of the roof and gutter system. When it is heated, the snow melts, and the water is drained to the ground through the drainage system,preventing roof icing and icicle formation. The system is set to automatically turn on when there is a possibility of icing and turn off when ice and icicles are removed from the roof. The cable for heating the roof is reliable, resistant to temperature changes, it is not afraid of precipitation and the sun.
Specific types are used for the anti-icing system:
- resistive;
- self-adjusting.
Resistive cable consists of a metal core, which is covered with insulation. Roof heating is most often carried out by them, since its price is more affordable. This type has constant resistance and heating temperature.
The most expensive is the self-regulating cable, which changes the resistance and heating temperature depending on the air temperature. When using it, sensors can be omitted.
Heating cable wattage selection
The choice of power is influenced by such a factor as the amount of "parasitic" heat that penetrates through the ceilings under the roof. It is very difficult to define and measure. The second factor is the different types of gutters and roofs.
Inconsistency in the power of the heating section of the system leads to excessive consumption of electricity, as well as to its inoperability in the established range of temperature fluctuations. When designing cable laying, it is necessary to calculate the length of horizontal elements, the number and height of downpipes. For 1 meter running length construction power cableshould be 20 W and increase as the length of the drain increases to 60-70 W.
Installation of anti-icing system
Installation of roof heating is carried out in several stages:
- Designate the places where the cables pass.
- The method of laying wires is selected depending on the design of the roof.
- Select the system type.
- The number of required parts is calculated.
- Heating sections are being installed.
- The junction boxes are being installed.
- Electrical installation equipment is being selected.
- The system control cabinet is mounted.
- Installation of power cables in progress.
- Temperature sensors are being installed.
At the end of the work, the system is being tested.
It is important to know that the roof heating occurs at a certain temperature, which should not be lower than -15 degrees and higher than +20. Under such meteorological conditions, less snow falls, and ice formation slows down.
Features of cable installation
If roof and gutter heating is installed, the installation of the system can be carried out in several ways. It depends on how the cable is laid. When choosing it, one should take into account the design of the roof, its temperature regime, the number of gutters. Ice on the "cold roofs" of the building appears already at an air temperature of about zero degrees. For such roofs, the minimum power is selected, and the system is installed in the drainage area.
Mansard heated roofs are called"warm". They help melt the snow. Melt water flows down to the roof cornice and drain. At sub-zero temperatures, water freezes and forms icicles. In this case, an anti-icing system is suitable, which must be installed on the eaves of the building, gutters, in problem areas. Correctly chosen method of laying the heating system will help to eliminate ice and icicles.
Expert Tips
All necessary work on the installation of heating elements is carried out comprehensively. If you do not carry out roof heating, then the installation of the system in the drain will not be effective.
Self-regulating cable is better for use in gutters, while resistive cable is better for roofing.
For a cold roof, the cable power is 25-30 W/p. m.
Cable installation is carried out by several methods. It depends on the specific location of its installation.
The elements of the drainage system must have a rigid fixation of the wires, since, in addition to water, they will also be affected by ice particles.
Cables must be laid in such a way as not to interfere with the flow of water.
It is undesirable to turn on roof heating at temperatures below -10 ºС.
Basic system security requirements
When installing the anti-icing structure, some precautions should be observed:
- The heating cables included in the system must be certified for fire and electrical safety.
- The heating part should be equipped with an RCD (30 mA).
Complex heating systems need to be broken down. Leakage currents in each of them must not exceed certain values.
