De-Iced Roof / Heated Driveway
So, what’s the equivalent for homes in dealing with the aftermath of heavy snowstorms followed by freezing temperatures? Have you heard of “heated driveways” as an alternative to shoveling hundreds of cubic feet of snow or “deicing cables” to reduce or eliminate ice dams?
There are those among us who tolerate winter, and others who look forward to it. For some, snow is picturesque and great for skiing. For others, it is a travel challenge and requires extra work at home to shovel driveways or de-ice roofs. With cars, snow tires and 4-wheel drive have been developed to make all but the most intense snowstorms drivable.
Weather triggered electrical systems installed under driveways or walkways can melt away snow either before or as it is accumulating. For roofs, electrical cables provide heat to counter ice dams that add weight, produce icicles or trap water under shingles. If you want to find out more about either or both of these solutions, call us at Ossie Electric for a free consultation.
Having a well ventilated, properly insulated roof can help reduce the formation of ice dams related to heat loss from your house. Ice dams can still result from solar heat. Sunlight and warmer temperatures cause ice and snow to liquify during the daytime; but when temperatures drop overnight, that melted water freezes along the roof edge.
That repeated cycle of thawing and freezing backs up gutters and potentially creates any of several problems:
- Icy hazards on walkways below from dripping water
- Gutters becoming detached due to excess weight
- Trapped water under shingles warping your roof or creating mold
- A damaged roof resulting in indoor leaks
You may have come across DIY solutions such as zig-zag, roof heat cables. This option has been known to overheat. Additionally, if not properly grounded, the fire hazard of melting water and electricity should be self-evident. Our self-regulating heat cables are industrial grade, are UL (underwriter laboratory) listed, are triggered on or off by an ambient sensing thermostat, and operate at temperatures safe for metal, plastic or wood. They are installed with GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) as required by the NEC (National Electric Code). Our system can easily be expanded if ice dams begin to formulate in additional roof areas. Housed in aluminum panels, our systems are energy efficient and long lasting.
Rooftop snow can become problematic following repeated thawing and freezing cycles. Besides personal injury from slipping, walkways and driveways do not pose property hazards but more consistently require clearance for pedestrian and automobile traffic. Homeowners have the options of shoveling snow themselves, sprinkling salt, hiring some neighborhood kids, contracting with a snow plowing service or installing heating systems activated by the weather.
The two leading sub-surface heating systems deployed are:
- Using electric current to generate heat on a wire or across a mat
- Using heated water pumped through tubes below the paved surface
Water systems cost more to install but are less expensive to operate compared to electrical systems. Both have similar longevity and effectiveness. If you are ready to enjoy automatic, hassle-free snow removal from your various pathways for years to come, call us at Ossie Electric for expert installation.