Tag Archives: Installing snow melting system

Snow Melting Systems – Reliable and Easy to Customize

Versatile Snow Melting Systems

While many contractors have not installed or worked with radiant heat systems, those who have installed these systems have discovered the relative ease of installation and improvement to their bottom line. And whether you’re installing a heated driveway, heated floors or a roof deicing system, these advanced systems can be easily customized to meet the specific needs of your project. And radiant snow melting heat cables can be installed in just about any medium, including concrete, hot asphalt, or under pavers.

Because of their versatility, radiant snow melting systems are not only ideal for new construction projects, but also for increasing the comfort, convenience and value of existing homes. ProLine can design systems that best meet the unique demands of your clients, whether it’s a retrofit or new construction application.

ProLine snow melting systems are designed for use in a wide variety of mediums and applications, including concrete, asphalt and pavers. The snowmelt systems can be installed to accommodate budgets as well as custom layouts. Snow melting systems can be used to heat entire driveways, tire track layouts, steps, ramps, sidewalks or porches, etc.

Installing Radiant Heat in Asphalt

One of the most popular, affordable, and easy to install mediums for radiant heat is asphalt. Where asphalt gives and flexes according to a wide-range of seasonal temperature changes, the durable, specially designed ProLine heat cable ensures consistent performance to effectively keep driveways clear of snow and ice. The automated systems also feature manual override capability to deal with snow drifts of areas where water may have pooled and refrozen.

Retrofitting asphalt driveway with radiant heat

The cable’s external jacket is designed specifically for installation in hot asphalt applications, so ProLine’s asphalt heat cable is rated up to 460 degrees for up to 10 minutes. (For additional technical specs and installation information, please refer to the Snow Melting Cable and Mats Data Sheet or Installation Manual.)

ProLine snow melting heat cable is available off the spool or pre-spaced in mats. The mats can be rolled out for quick and easy placement over the area to be heated. Cable off the spool allows greater flexibility for custom shapes and hard-to-reach areas of snow melting systems. In the case of a retrofitting an asphalt driveway with radiant heat, the cable is simply laid out over the existing asphalt and then asphalt is applied over the cable. A compacted layer of 2 inches is recommended. For detailed installation and compacting instructions, please refer to the installation manual.

In addition to offering industry leading heat cable and system components, ProLine also includes unparalleled customer services, including free installation training, installation support, system design and layout, and a wealth of instructional resources online, including “how to” videos. Whatever your goals, you’ll find a range of versatile, affordable radiant snow melting systems flexible enough to meet your goals.

A Few Helpful Installation Tips:

  • Heating cables should never touch, cross, overlap or get bunched up. Always allow 2 inches of spacing between each cable
  • For asphalt applications, check the maximum rated heat temperature of the heating cables before you apply hot asphalt and confirm that the asphalt does not exceed this temperature.
  • If you’re installing mats, but need to make individual runs of heat cable, simply cut the tape backing of the cable mats and then layout the cable accordingly. BUT DO NOT CUT THE HEAT CABLE.
  • Manually pour small quantities of asphalt on the heating cables and spread it evenly around and over the cables. Repeatedly applying small quantities of asphalt on the heating cables during installation helps to prevent any potential damage to the cable.
  • Always handle heating cables with care—especially when using tools such as shovels, rakes and wheel barrels to avoid damaging the cables. When using wheelbarrows to dump asphalt, lay down sheets of plywood over the cable to avoid damaging the cable’s outer jacket.
  • Using a Megger, repeatedly check the cable resistance during the various stages of the installation (as outlined in the installation manual).

A snow melting system is only as good as its installation; therefore, an understanding of the proper installation procedures and local laws, codes and regulations is vital. Call us toll-free at 866-676-9276 to learn more. Our professionals are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Radiant Heat Thaws the Polar Vortex

Radiant Heat Thaws the Polar Vortex

Now is the Ideal Time to Purchase and Install a Radiant Heat System

Deadly cold temperatures and snow crippled much of the country during the winter of 2014, thanks largely to a weather phenomenon known as the polar vortex. These freezing cyclones are typically confined to the earth’s geographical poles, but in 2014, the arctic storms plunged so far south that it affected most of the U.S., including states as far south as Florida. Homeowners who got caught in the infamous storms of 2014 spent much time and money shoveling snow and spreading bags of salt in an effort to cope with the icy conditions. But with record low temperatures, it was almost impossible to keep walks and driveways clear of ice and snow.

The snowy barrage of 2014 represented another difficult winter in a growing line of recent extreme winters. Recent winters have dumped record snowfalls with unusually cold temperatures, often leaving homeowners in the Northeast seeing nothing but white from November through March. Consequently, more and more homeowners are now thinking seriously about radiant heat – which means that now is the time for professional builders to hone their radiant heat installation skills. ProLine makes installing radiant heat easy by including personal installation support, custom system design, and even free installation training.

Driveway during a snow storm
A driveway on an incline in need of a heated driveway installation.

In light of the recent life-threatening wind chill and temperatures during last winter, homeowners were reminded to be especially careful when clearing their walks and driveways during sub-zero degree temperatures. In the Chicago area (temporarily renamed by locals as “Chiberia”), four people died over one weekend while shoveling snow, and 37 people in Ohio were rushed to the emergency room because of cold weather related problems.

Naturally, homeowners aren’t too thrilled about the prospects of risking life and limb shoveling and salting snow every year. Fortunately, there is some good news. Radiant heat is an affordable option for those who are looking to ditch their shovels. And for construction professionals who are considering installing radiant heat, you’ll be glad to know that early spring is the ideal time to save on a heated driveway system from ProLine.

And you simply won’t find a more professional, helpful staff than the professionals at ProLine. Unlike many radiant heat providers, ProLine custom designs each system and includes personal installation support for your installer. And when you team up with ProLine and complete a free installation training course, we’ll recommend you to homeowners and businesses in your area who are looking to install radiant heat.

With record snow falls occurring across the country, installing an efficient, fully automated heated driveway just makes sense. Forget about the cost for hiring a snow removal service, buying salt, or devoting your own time and labor. The next time Mother Nature throws an icy temper tantrum in your neck of the woods, you can add to your business by offering snowmelt system installations, so your customers can enjoy the beauty of the white countryside without having to shovel and salt their driveway. Homeowners may balk at the thought of the cost, but they may be surprised by the affordability of installing a radiant heat system.

(Continued below: Buying at the Right Time)

Buying at the Right Time

Buying from ProLine – especially during the winter months – can translate into significant savings for contractors. ProLine has a variety of radiant heat solutions and includes a custom design with each system to ensure that it meets your customer’s heating needs AND budget. For manual snow removal, consider the cost of running and maintaining a snow blower, purchasing salt, or paying a snow removal service. For climates particularly accustomed to lots of snow, installing an efficient ProLine heated driveway is a great investment that can raise property value and save money by eliminating the need for manual snow removal.

Heated driveway in Denver

At this point, it’s predictable that most of us are ready to put down the shovel and gear up for warm weather, lawn care and home improvement projects. Early spring is the best time to install radiant heat in your driveway, walkway or even on your roof. The demand is typically lower, so you may be able to get discounts that you normally wouldn’t enjoy during peak season. Be savvy and take advantage of the off season to beat the rush and get the best prices for a radiant heated driveway this spring.

If you’re still not convinced about the benefits of radiant heat read what some ProLine customers are saying. Join the legions of happy ProLine customers like this one (below), who wrote to us while enjoying the benefits of a heated driveway from the comfort of his living room:

The first snow fall this winter was the test and the driveway has been ice/snow free all winter! The option to manually turn on the heat system has not been needed since the sensor works so well. My wife and I are very pleased with the results and feel much safer walking outside during the winter now!

– Dan, heated driveway owner

One of the greatest benefits of radiant heated driveways is that they are automated and maintenance free. Think of it as the “set it and forget it” phenomenon. Because heated driveways are fully-automated systems, there’s no guess work in when to turn them on, off or how long it will take to remove the snow. With the help of outdoor sensors, your radiant heated driveway system is automatically programmed to sense the changes in precipitation and temperature that indicate snow fall, then turn off when a snow event is over. You get dry, clear pavement efficiently and affordably, without lifting a shovel.

Here’s another construction professional and first-time installer who said this about his experience working with ProLine:

Thanks for supplying my customer with exactly what they needed. Living in multiple locations, the automated concrete heating system you provided was the perfect match for my customers in Idaho. Being new to this type of installation, I expected things to be a little more complicated. A few phone calls after receiving the product within days made the job simple to install. I would have to say that customer service with your company was by far second to none. I look forward to doing business with you in the future and referring you on to other homeowners with snow melting needs.

– Cody, Independent Contractor

Cody brings up another good point, and that is the wide selection of radiant heat installation options and the unmatched services and customer support you have with ProLine. When you do business with ProLine you’ll have live installation support from professionals with years of experience in radiant heat installations. They are willing to partner with you every step of the way to find you the best possible system for your performance expectations and budgetary concerns. They can even help you find an experienced installer in your area.

Trade in your shovel and salt for an easier snow removal solution. Now is the best time to pick up the phone and call ProLine (866.676.9276) to discuss your plans for stress free winters with a radiant heated driveway.