In winter, the roofs of buildings are dotted with snow, and from its melting, water flows into drainpipes. There it freezes, forming ice jams. As a result, the gutters are covered with icicles, which is unsafe for others. To avoid all the problematic circumstances, conduct heating of the roof and gutters.
The need for heating
When designing a design for anti-icing, such nuances as:
- gutter dimensions;
- type and material of the roof;
- climatic zone 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 injuries;
- protect the roof from leaks, which can cause a delay in snow on the surface during the thaw;
- extend the operational life of the building and gutter system.
Advantages of heating installation
Installing an anti-icing system will bring you many benefits, as it:
- provides continuous operation of the drain throughout the year;
- protects drainpipes and facade elements from damage;
- prevents the formation of icicles and ice;
- eliminates the need for additional cleaning in the winter of the roof and gutters;
- extends roof operation lines;
- requires a minimum amount of energy.
Mounting points for heating cables
When the heating of the roof and gutters is installed, the installation of heating cables is carried out in such places:
- trays;
- water collectors;
- drainpipes;
- cornices;
- gutters;
- droppers;
- joints of slopes and other places of possible accumulation of water.
Anti-icing system design
The standard roof heating system has the following structural elements:
- heating sections - cables;
- junction boxes;
- information cables;
- control systems;
- system control cabinet;
- power cables;
- temperature regulators;
- temperature, water and precipitation sensors;
- equipment for regulation and protection;
- fasteners elements.
The principle of the system
Cable heating of the roof 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 water is drained to the ground via a drainage system, preventing icing of the roof and the formation of icicles. The system has an automatic inclusion mode when icing and shutdowns are possible when ice and icicles are removed from the roof. The cable for heating the roof is reliable, resistant to temperature extremes, it is not afraid of rain and sun.
For the anti-icing system, its specific types are used:
- resistive;
- self-regulating.
The resistive cable consists of a metal core that is coated with insulation. Roof heating is most often carried out by them, since its price is more affordable. This type has a constant resistance and heating temperature.
The most expensive is a self-regulating cable, which changes the resistance and heating temperature depending on the air temperature. When using it, sensors can be omitted.
Heating cable power selection
The choice of power is influenced by such a factor as the amount of "spurious" heat, which penetrates under the roof through the ceilings. It is very difficult to define and measure. The second factor is the different types of gutters and roofs.
The mismatch in the power of the heating section of the system leads to an excessive consumption of electricity, as well as its inoperability in the established range of temperature fluctuations. When designing the cable laying, it is necessary to calculate the length of the horizontal elements, the number and height of the drainpipes. For 1 meter of linear length of the structure, the cable power should 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:
- Locations of cable paths are indicated.
- The method of laying the wires is selected depending on the roof structure.
- The type of system is selected.
- The number of necessary parts is calculated.
- Installation of heating sections is in progress.
- Junction boxes are installed.
- Wiring equipment is selected.
- Mounted system control cabinet.
- Power cables are being installed.
- Temperature sensors are arranged.
At the end of the work, a system test is carried out.
It is important to know that the heating of the roof occurs at a certain temperature, which should not be lower than –15 degrees and above +20. Under such meteorological conditions, less snow falls, ice formation slows down.
Cable Mount Features
If roof and gutter heating is installed , the installation of the system can be carried out by several methods. It depends on how the cable is laid. Choosing it, one should take into account the roof structure, its temperature regime, and the number of gutters. Scales on the "cold roofs" of the building appear already at an air temperature of about zero degrees. For such roofs, the minimum power is selected, and the system is installed in the gutter area.
Mansard heated roofs are called "warm". They contribute to melting snow. Melt water flows to the roof eaves and the drain. At sub-zero temperatures, the 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 of the drain, in problem areas. Eliminate icing and icicles will help a properly selected way of laying the heating system.
Expert Advice
All necessary work on the installation of heating elements is carried out comprehensively. If you do not conduct heating of the roof, then the device system in the drain will not be effective.
Self-regulating cable is better suited for use in gutters, and resistive cable is suitable 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 be rigidly fixed to the wires, since, in addition to water, ice particles will also affect them.
Cables must be laid in such a way as not to impede the flow of water.
It is undesirable to include roof heating at temperatures below –10 º.
Basic system security requirements
When installing the anti-icing structure, some safety precautions should be observed:
- The heating cables included in the system must have fire and electrical safety certificates.
- The heating part should be equipped with an RCD (30 mA).
Complex heating systems must be broken into pieces. The leakage currents in each of them must not exceed certain values.