Tag Archives: Roof de-icing

Self-Regulating De-icing Solutions

For years, ProLine has been the ‘go-to’ provider for radiant roof de-icing and pipe trace solutions. Professional builders have come to rely on ProLine because they know that in addition to receiving premium quality products, ProLine also includes industry-leading support services.

To address residential and commercial roof de-icing needs, ProLine offers the most reliable roof de-icing solutions available. The top two systems utilize self-regulating heating elements. One affordable system is ProLine’s popular self-regulating heat cable, and the other is the low-voltage RoofHeat STEP® de-icing system.

The self-regulating RoofHeat STEP element features a thin, flexible polymer heating panel that can be installed to heat asphalt, shake, tile shingles, single-ply membrane, as well as metal roofs. The heating element is polypropylene fused during fabrication to achieve water proofing and protection from alkaline or salt damage. The heating elements can also be stapled or nailed through during installation.

Low-voltage roof heating system being installed
A low-voltage roof heating system being installed on resort hotel roof.

This versatile low-voltage system is ideal for keeping entire roof eaves and valleys free of snow and ice. These systems utilize a step-down transformer, and the heating panels are installed discreetly under the roofing material, thereby maintaining the original look of your roof. Each RoofHeat transformer steps down high voltage to low voltage (60 V or less) while controlling a specific section of the roof de-icing system. The individual control boxes monitor the power and output to the heating element to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient performance.

Heated roof valley and edge.
A low-voltage de-icing system installed along eave and in roof valley.

Self-regulating heat cable is also a favorite among roofing professionals. Individual strands of heat cable can facilitate runoff, and help to prevent ice-dams from forming. The cable is typically fun along the roof eaves in a zigzag pattern, and secured to the shingles. The versatile cable can also be installed in roof gutters and downspouts to help ensure unimpeded runoff.

Heat cable installed in commercial gutter trace application
Heat trace cable installed in the gutter of a large, commercial building.

Heat trace cable systems are easy to customize and install. The heat cable can be installed in trouble spots, and only in areas where the customer needs. Another reason why customers like the heat trace cable so much is because of its affordability. This is the most inexpensive option for customers who are looking to eliminate ice dams and enhance safety.

ProLine offers a variety of industry-leading roof de-icing solutions. For more information, contact a roof heating professional at 866-676-9276, or contact us to get started today.

Heat Trace Solutions

De-icing Systems you can Trust

I do a lot of construction-related work in a mountain resort town, known worldwide for its miles of pristine ski runs featuring the “best snow on earth”. It’s a great place for winter sports enthusiasts and vacationers, but as residents know all too well, this “best snow on earth” can also take a toll on roofs and other structures.

While I won’t complain about having a steady workload, it still bothers me to see homeowners spending money on repairs that could have been avoided. Afterall, I’m a homeowner too.

The most common problem associated with winter roof damage is that caused by ice dams. Many water-damage issues that I’ve seen could have been avoided, simply by preventing ice dams from forming.

One key contributor to ice dams is a poorly insulated attic. Ice dams typically form because warm air in the attic heats the roof, and the melted snow trickles down the roof before it refreezes along the roof eaves. (Since there is no warm air reaching the eaves, the roof edges are colder.) The runoff then freezes as it crosses over the cold surface, creating a small ridge of ice. Over time, more and more runoff reaches the ridge of ice, where it also refreezes. Eventually, a large ridge forms, and subsequent runoff from the melted snow pools up behind the ridge. Here is where the problems can occur.

Icicles over a home's entryway
A home in need of a de-icing system.

Obviously, pools of water on a roof are not good. When water and gravity join forces, they combine to produce a pretty potent one-two punch. Water can find the tiniest cracks and imperfections on a roof. After seeping into these areas, it refreezes at night, where it expands, exacerbating those small faults and cracks.

Most roofs are durable, and designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, but the reality is that no roof is intended to endure prolonged periods under a pool of standing water. If this “freeze-thaw” process goes unnoticed over the years, roof damage is most likely inevitable. Water will eventually hitch a ride with gravity and find its way into the home.

In one case, water seeped into a house for years, but was not noticed because it trickled down behind a wall located in a remote part of the home. Additionally, because the wall was mostly obscured, the damage remained unnoticed. Only after the water stain expanded considerably was it also discovered that small patches of mold had formed. The cost of the repair work was substantial.

Now, I’m not trying to scare people into installing a roof de-icing system, but when I can, I like to encourage homeowners to take precautions in order to avoid potential problems like water damage. Preventive maintenance allows us to keep one step ahead of the disaster train. Instead of trying to tackle one home repair after another, I prefer to head them off at the pass by administering a little preventive medicine.

All homeowners should inspect their attic to make sure that it is properly insulated. The less warmth that enters the attic, the less likely it is that the bottom layer of snow on the roof melts. Less runoff from snow higher up on the roof means there’s less chance of ice dams from forming. Remind your clients to inspect their attics and make sure that the insulation is abundant, and well applied.

Roof with heated valley and edges
A roof with a de-icing system installed to heat valleys and edges.


For consumers who have small “problem areas” that are susceptible to ice dams, there is no denying the effectiveness of a roof de-icing system. Systems such as the low-voltage RoofHeat STEP system can be installed under shingles to keep entire roof eaves, valleys, and problem areas completely free of snow and ice during the winter months. (This system can also be safely installed under metal roofs.) However, the most affordable “dam buster” is self-regulating heat trace cable.

ProLine’s self-regulating heat cable can be installed along roof eaves and edges in a serpentine pattern to prevent ice dams and facilitate runoff. The heat trace cable doesn’t melt ALL the snow from the roof eaves, but it effectively eliminates the formation of large ice dams by providing channels that allow the melted snow to find its way to the gutter and downspouts. The durable heat trace cable is versatile can also be installed in roof gutters and downspouts.

The flexible cable’s outer jacket features UV-stabilized thermoplastic elastomer that protects the irradiated conductive core. The self-regulating property allows the conductive core to increase heat output as the temperature falls and decrease output when the temperature rises. This ensures energy-efficient operation, and prevents it from overheating, even if the cables touch.

Because of the affordability and effectiveness of this de-icing system, many consumers opt to install the heat cable on all the roof eaves of their home or business. ProLine system designers create a detailed layout of the system for the installers, which includes all the electrical information necessary for the electrician.

Despite being a wholesale provider of snow melting and de-icing systems, ProLine includes industry-leading support services for the end user. Contractors and building professionals work with ProLine because they know they will receive the services and support necessary to ensure their customers’ satisfaction. Free installation training is provided, as well as technical support, and professional system design and layout. Every system is custom designed to best meet the needs of each customer.

ProLine is the provider of choice for a growing number of contractors. To learn more about ProLine roof de-icing and heat trace systems, contact a friendly professional today, at 866-676-9276.

The Ultimate Partner

ProLine Offers Wholesale Pricing and Unmatched Customer Services

Running a profitable business is about providing valuable services (and products) that help customers find convenient, helpful ways to improve their life or business. One way for construction professionals to do this is to ensure the upcoming winter season doesn’t catch them off guard. For business owners, winter snow and ice can lead to hazardous conditions that create liability issues and slow the flow of customers. With ProLine wholesale radiant heating products, winter can remain productive and profitable for everyone.

ProLine can help you offer residential and commercial customers innovative solutions to keep their businesses safe and clear this winter. The demand for radiant heat installation increases as the temperature decreases, making it the perfect choice for construction professionals to add to their repertoire.

A good place to start is with radiant heated driveways. Heating driveways is a popular choice for homeowners, and eases the pain and hassle of manual snow removal. ProLine’s versatile electric radiant heat cable can be used under almost any medium, including asphalt, concrete, and pavers. Electric radiant heating cable is rugged and reliable, delivering years of peak performance. The cable is available in individual lengths, as well as pre-spaced in mats that can be rolled out for easy installation.

Cambridge paver heated driveway.
A radiant snow melting system installed for a long heated paver driveway.

Snow melting systems can be customized for virtually any application. Radiant heat is ideal for installation in residential driveways or large commercial applications. Radiant heat can be installed to heat driveways, ramps, parking areas, sidewalks, and even steps. Heated steps are particularly important to keep clear of snow and ice during the winter months. Needless to say, providing safe access to one’s business or home is vital. Keeping steps, walkways, and parking areas clear with Proline radiant heat cable is the surest way to keep customers and employees safe throughout the winter season.

Radiant heating systems can be easily customized to meet one’s budget and snow melting needs. If heating an entire area doesn’t meet your customers’ needs, ProLine’s customer service experts can design a custom solution that best suits their needs. For driveways, check out these great options:

Heat a center strip: Customers who may not want to heat an entire area can simply heat the center strip.  Instead of heating the entire surface area, some homeowners opt to heat an 8-10 feet wide strip. This option is perfect for specific areas that see higher amounts of traffic and makes sense for a lot of homeowners.

Heat two tire tracks: Customers often use theProLine heating mats to heat two 24-inch-wide tire tracks. The heating cable is pre-spaced in the mats, which are conveniently laid out, making installation quick and easy. Heating only two tire tracks also requires less power than a system heating the entire driveway, making this an excellent solution for homeowners on a tight budget.  

Specific areas: Use ProLine’s state-of-the-art mats or cable to heat troublesome areas anywhere around a business or a home. Heat cable can be installed in just about any area. Heating steps, heavily shaded areas, or driveway inclines can be the ideal solution for many.

Heated paver steps
A heated walkway and steps leading to the front door of a residence.

Roof de-icing is another solution to help customers prevent any costly repairs associated with water damage from a leaking roof. ProLine can help prevent heavy ice and snow from destroying roofs and causing property damage. Snow and ice buildup can create ice dams along roof edges. Ice dams prevent roof drainage and cause seepage that can lead to mold and mildew inside. One solution is to install heating cable.

Self-regulating heat cable features an irradiated conductive core with a rugged outer jacket to protect it from water and alkaline damage. The self-regulating heat cable is easily placed along roof edges, eaves, or trouble spots to provide channels for the runoff, and prevent ice dams from forming.

Freezing temperatures can also lead to broken pipes and expensive water damage that can take months to repair. Using pipe trace cable from ProLine can prevent these hazards. Pipe trace cable is the most effective option for any outdoor pipes. Commercial and industrial customers benefit from installing heat trace cable.

While ProLine’s variety of products ensures peak performance, what really sets ProLine apart is its comprehensive customer support services. ProLine is unlike other wholesalers on the market. These services allow contractors to focus on their business. No more worrying about hunting down products you need or wondering if they will get delivered on time. ProLine has resources and vast warehouse facilities that manufacture and house their products. We know that your time is especially valuable in the winter season and work hard to ensure our supply meets demand without frustrating delays.

ProLine’s comprehensive customer service starts with system design professionals. They know the products inside and out and work hard to meet every customer’s needs and expectations. Once the design professional has all the information, they can start on a custom-designed system. Every system comes with a detailed layout of the system, as well as all technical information needed for installation. The information includes materials, system performance expectations, number of breakers, breaker sizes, and proper load calculations. This layout allows installers to quickly and efficiently install any system.

Installation training is also free with ProLine. The training is provided via video conference with an instructor who will cover all aspects of installation and spend time with you to answer any questions. After installation training, installers have access to ProLine’s dedicated support professionals. They are available to help answer questions or help resolve any problems that may arise during the process of installation. An online library of photos and illustrations, product documentation, and instructional videos is also available anytime. No matter what your needs are, ProLine is there from start to finish. That why ProLine is a favorite among building professionals.

If you have questions, call and speak to a professional at ProLine today at 866-676-9276.

Offer Your Customers Affordable, Premier Roof De-icing Solutions

Winter months are approaching quickly, and that means snow will be on walkways, driveways, and rooftops. Rooftops can be one of the dangerous places for snow and ice buildup during the winter. Filling icicles and sheets of ice can pose a danger to pedestrians below, not to mention the damage that ice dams can cause to structures. Runoff that pools behind ice dams and refreezes can eventually damage roofs, and lead to interior problems as well, such as water damage and mold and mildew. Roof de-icing is a great way to offer safety and assurance to customers during the often extreme conditions of the winter season. Roof de-icing systems from ProLine are commonly installed on hotel roofs and other commercial structures to enhance safety and protect roofs. The systems are versatile, fully automated, and energy efficient.

Roof de-icing systems typically consist of a contactor panel, an activation device, and a heating element. Each system from ProLine features state of the art, unique heating elements that allow for complete customization when installing a roof de-icing system. Most systems are self-regulating and fully automated, so when the sensor detects the appropriate temperature and precipitation, it will activate and keep the area clear of snow and ice. This convenience makes it a great option for any business or home looking to ensure pedestrian safety and prolong the life of the roof. Roof de-icing systems will prevent ice dams that form when snow and ice melts, runs down the roof, and refreezes along the colder roof eaves. These dams can cause roof leaking that can lead to expensive water damage. Ice and snow buildup can also happen in gutters, downspouts, and roof valleys, destroying your gutters as well as the roof. Installing a roof de-icing system in these areas or along the edge of a roof is not only extremely popular, but an effective choice for eliminating potential problems. Installing a roof de-icing system along the edge of a roof – or any area – will assure proper drainage and help to prevent damage.

Heated roof edges with self-regulating heat cable.

ProLine’s self regulating heat cable is an excellent choice for a variety of roof de-icing applications. This industry leading cable is not only effective, but energy efficient. It is UL recognized, and features an irradiated conductive core that will increase the output of heat as the temperature outside falls. This core is protected by a UV-stabilized thermoplastic elastomer outerjacket that is rugged enough for any environment, and the sturdy cable is available in a variety of lengths for quick and easy installation. Self-regulating heat cable is extremely versatile and can be easily installed in any area of the roof, gutters, downspouts, and oddly shaped areas. ProLine’s self regulating cable is one the most recommended roof heating solutions available today, and is a great investment to offer any home or business owner.

ProLine also offers a pre-terminated self-regulated heat cable. This single-point connection, 120V 6-watt cable comes pre-assembled, and can be installed and plugged directly into a standard outlet or GFCI power plug. The cable is available in 50, 75, or 100 foot lengths. The main benefit of pre-assembled self terminated cable is its quick and easy installation, which requires no special skills or tools. The heat trace cable can also be used for industrial applications, including hazardous or corrosive environments.

Another convenient option for heat trace solutions on rooflines, gutters, downspouts, or even pipes is ProLine’s constant wattage heat cable. This cable is also pre-assembled and can be plugged into a regular outlet, but has a parallel heating core. This core produces a uniform thermal output over the entire length, and power output remains the same in any temperature, unlike self-regulating heat cable. With just a single power point, heat tracing systems can be installed along lengths up to several hundred feet. Constant wattage cable can be easily installed, making it a good choice for small trouble spots or industrial and even most chemically hostile environments. This cable is also used for process heating to control the flow of viscous materials.

If heat cable isn’t your first choice for the application at hand, ProLine also offers an industry leading low-voltage roof de-icing system. This system is different from self regulated heat cable, as the heating element is a semi-conductive thin polymer panel that can be cut, stapled, and nailed on site. Low-voltage systems are most often used for melting snow and ice under shingle and metal roofs. With the low-voltage de-icing system, transformers step down from high-voltage to low- voltage while controlling a different section of the roof de-icing system. The low-voltage system is also self-regulating, so when the temperature rises, consumption of energy decreases, assuring energy efficient performance. ProLine’s low-voltage roof-de-icing system is available in multiple widths, (3, 6, 9, or 12 inches) making it versatile enough for any roof de-icing project.

ProLine’s array of products makes offering roof de-icing systems for your customers easy. Industry leading, versatile self-regulated heating cable is the most popular and efficient choice for most customers, but heat trace cable can also be paired with other roof de-icing systems (such as the low-voltage system) to assure that each customer receives the systems that best fit their needs. Working with ProLine also means industry leading customer service; which includes system design, free installation training, and technical support. If you’re looking for a way to increase your business this winter and provide safe, efficient roof de-icing for your customers, ProLine offers a selection and prices that can’t be beat. If you are ready to get started with roof de-icing for your business, contact a ProLine customer service specialist today at 866.676.9276.

ProLine Roof De-icing Solutions

Radiant roof heating is always a good option for businesses to invest in, especially when it can save them from costly damage and hazardous conditions. ProLine Radiant offers trusted, industry leading roof de-icing systems that are proven and easy to install. Providing roof de-icing installation for your customers is a strategy that can put you ahead of your competitors.

Some of the most dangerous winter hazards a roof heating system can protect home and business owners from are ice dams and ice buildup in gutters and downspouts. Heavy ice buildup not only can damage your gutters, but cause icicles that can drip and create icy walking surfaces that can be hazardous to pedestrians. A roof heating system like ProLine’s self-regulating heat cable is an affordable, hassle-free way to prevent this buildup. The systems are reliable and maintenance free, and fully automated.

Heated roof valley and edge.

ProLine’s self regulating heat cable has an irradiated conductive core that is housed in a UV stabilized flexible thermoplastic elastomer jacket. This jacket protects the core and makes it safe for wet conditions, and protects it from sun exposure. The conductive core allows this cable to adjust its output according to the weather conditions. Because it is self-regulating it will not overheat, even if the cable touches or overlaps. As the outside temperature drops, the heat output will rise, assuring all ice and snow will be clear from the heated area.

Self-regulating de-icing system is activated by a contactor panel that sends power to the cable when the snow sensor detects the appropriate conditions. This heat cable can be installed in most places on your roof, but is particularly useful in gutters, valleys, and downspouts, and is also commonly used in pipe tracing applications. ProLine’s self-regulating cable is a safe, reliable, and affordable investment for any contractor looking to provide roof heating options for their customers.

ProLine’s self regulated heat cable is also found in another great industry leading roof de-icing product – roof heating panels. These attractive panels are carefully engineered with aluminum to be extremely energy efficient. Self-regulating heat cable is channeled through the panels to provide home or business owners with an aesthetically pleasing, energy efficient solution.

ProLine’s roof heating panels also work in tandem with a contactor panel and an activation device. These panels are great for heating areas such as roof valleys, or along roof eaves where ice dams often form. Ice dams prevent runoff, and can cause damage to entire roofs that may lead to leakage into the home where mold and mildew can form.  Roof heating panels are an ideal choice for heating the eaves of residential structures to keep them snow and ice free. ProLine’s offers a wide selection of panels, ranging from 4 or 6 inch roof valley heating panels to 48-inch panels for roof eaves. The roof heating panel system is extremely efficient and will prevent any ice dams or other water damage by keeping areas free of snow and ice. Roof heating panels are a versatile, attractive way to prevent ice buildup on residential and commercial roofs.

Perhaps the most popular and highly recommend roof de-icing system is ProLine’s low-voltage system. The low-voltage roof heating solution features a thin, semi-conductive, self-regulating, polymer heating element that comes in rolls and is available in different widths. This element is polypropylene fused during its fabrication, to make sure it is water proof and protected from alkaline or salt damage. It can be cut on site and nailed or stapled through, making installation quick and easy. This system also includes an activation device that will efficiently activate the system when the conditions are right. An aerial-mount snow sensor or the STEP Touch thermostat can be used. With ProLine’s low-voltage heating solution, each transformer controls a specific section of the roof heating system, and steps down high-voltage to low-voltage (60 V or less).

When working with ProLine roof de-icing systems, there are options for every customer. Any of ProLine’s roof de-icing systems can be used together to create a completely individual system that will fit the specific needs of each customer. Whether your customer wants the whole roof heated, or simply wants to protect problem areas, ProLine’s roof de-icing systems will get the job done. Roof de-icing systems are also a great solution to offer customers in the summer to ensure they are prepared for the cold winter ahead. Add roof heat installation to your service offerings and build up your bottom line.

If you have any questions, or are ready to learn more about ProLine’s roof de-icing options for your business, contact a ProLine professional at 866.676.9276.