Tag Archives: Roof deicing

ProLine’s Advanced Roof Deicing Solution

Low-Voltage, Self-Regulating Roof Heating Systems

As we emerge from another brutal winter, we see a wake of water damaged structures and compromised roofs. Heavy snowfall in the Northeastern United States was responsible for countless numbers of damaged roofs as well as personal injuries. With future winters predicted to continue to produce extreme snowfall, many of those who are repairing their roofs now are looking to install a roof deicing system. Even those who escaped this winter unscathed are exploring their roof heating options in an attempt to protect their roofs from future storms.

ProLine Radiant offers one of the most advanced roof heating solutions that has quickly become a favorite among professional roofers. ProLine’s low-voltage roof heating system has proven to be an ideal solution for keeping roof valleys and edges clear of ice and snow, preventing costly ice dams from forming.

Low-voltage roof deicing system being installed

Roof edges and eaves do not have any heat warming the roof from below, so they’re much colder and prone to ice buildup from snow melting higher on the roof. As heat escapes from the attic and melts snow high on the roof, the water runs down and refreezes when it reaches the colder eaves, creating an ice dam that forces more water to pool up behind it. With nowhere to go, the water eventually seeps through the decking during the day and refreezes again at night, expanding small cracks. The water gradually works its way down onto ceilings and walls, resulting in costly water damage and mold.

Unlike other radiant heating options, the heating element for ProLine’s low-voltage system features a thin self-regulating, semi-conductive polymer heating element. This flexible heating element is polypropylene fused during fabrication to achieve water proofing and protection from alkaline or salt damage, and can be mounted discreetly under the shingles to provide roof heating to roof valleys, edges and trouble spots.

Because the polymer heating element can be nailed/stapled and cut on site, it’s easy to work with and install. This speeds up the installation time and reduces costs.

Low-voltage heating element
Low-voltage polymer roof heating element.

These fully automated roof heating systems feature an activation device/snow sensor that detects precipitation and temperature. When conditions warrant, the sensor signals the controller when then sends power to the heating element to heat your roof.

Installing a ProLine roof deicing system can preserve and protect a new roof installation from snow and ice buildup for years to come. Besides saving consumers money, ProLine’s self-regulating, low-voltage roof deicing systems can save homeowners the time and effort of having to manually remove snow and ice.

ProLine Radiant also includes professional design/layout services and installation support with each roof heating system. Installers can also take advantage of ProLine’s free installation training. Contact a ProLine representative today to learn more about your radiant heating options (866.676.9276).


Self-Regulating Heat Cable – A Proven Winner

Industry Leading Gutter Melt Systems Feature ProLine’s Self-Regulating Heat Cable

Heavy snow and ice results in costly roof and gutter damage every year. Keeping gutters and downspouts clear of ice helps to facilitate runoff and protect roofs, which dramatically reduces the chance of water damage to homes and businesses.

Ice dams are the most costly and common problems associated with roof and water damage. Heat rises from the house and into the attic, warming the roof. This causes the bottom layer of snow to melt and trickle down towards the roof’s edge. Because the eaves hang over the house, there is no warmth, causing the water to refreeze and form an ice dam near the roof’s edge. When additional snow up higher on the roof melts, the water trickles down and begins to pool up behind the newly formed ice. Soon, a considerable pool of water has formed.

Self-regulating heat cable
Self-regulating gutter trace and roof heat cable.

This water repeats the freezing and thawing process, which can ultimately damage the roof. Water seeps into small cracks and then expands when it refreezes at night. Eventually the integrity of the roof is compromised and water can find its way into the house. This ultimately can lead to costly water damage and even mold and mildew growth.

Placing self-regulating heat cable along the roof’s edge and in trouble spots can eliminate this problem. ProLine heat cable is also the ideal solution for keeping gutters and downspouts free of snow and ice, facilitating runoff.

ProLine’s self-regulating heat cable is among the best in its class. When compared to other leading brands, ProLine cable is more flexible and can be installed in lower temperatures. When other heat cable is bent at a radius of 2 inches, the outer jacket tends to pucker and pull away from the cable core. This can lead to cable failure. ProLine’s outer jacket is more flexible and does not pull away from the core, even at a tighter bend radius of 1½ inches.

For quality roof gutter melt solutions, deal with the experts at ProLine. In addition to providing superior products, ProLine also includes installation support and professional design and layout services with each system.

ProLine also offers free installation training courses. Contact ProLine today to learn more about our products or free training (866.676.9276).

ProLine Offers GFEP Breaker Panels

ProLine GFEP Panels Simplify the Purchase and Installation Process

If you’ve been installing radiant heated driveways, roofs and gutter melting solutions for any length of time, you’ve most likely had to seek out ground fault equipment protectors (GFEP units) with breakers to properly install these systems. Traditionally many companies sell complete heated driveway systems to qualified, licensed electricians and installers; however, these customers are still instructed that they must find GFEP units with breakers to properly install their system. ProLine Radiant has always emphasized this need, but now, things are changing.

In keeping with its commitment to provide professional builders with the best products, service and convenience, ProLine Radiant heated driveway systems now include GFEP (ground fault equipment protection) breakers with its panels, saving you time and money. If you’re an electrician or an installer, shopping ProLine means you don’t have to scramble to track down these breakers for an installation. You’ll get just the right GFEP and breaker for the job.

Contactor panel and box
A contactor panel with GFEP and box for an automated snow melting system.

What is a ground fault protector, and why is it so important to a heated snow melting system? Basically, a ground fault is an electrical event caused by an insulation loss between a live conductor and an exposed conductive part that causes flow of current to the ground. (In the case of a heated driveway, the conductive part of a heated driveway is the heat cable.) This electrical event may cause serious problems to radiant heated driveway electrical systems and equipment, as most short circuits can start as undetected ground faults.

A ground fault equipment protection or GFEP is a device that is intended to protect heated driveway equipment against damaging line-to-ground currents, as are those emitted by electric radiant heat cable, by disconnecting all ungrounded conductors of the faulted circuit. By adding a ground fault equipment protection to a snow melting system, ground faults are detected immediately, preventing serious damage to heated driveway system components.

Rated for outdoor usage, the NEMA 4 wall-mounted control panels and UL and CUL listed controller have proven to be trusted industry leaders. ProLine snow melting and roof deicing systems are fully automated, and now include GFEP, which is required by the NEC. The snowmelt system controller can also be controlled remotely (day/week timer, GSM-module or other signal source). ProLine Radiant products and services result in the best possible heated driveways, roof deicing, and gutter and downspout heating.

Contractors are hailing this advance offered by ProLine Radiant. Ground fault equipment protection included in the Warmzone panels ensures cost savings, convenience, and increased reliability and safety in all your heated driveway installations. To find out more about ProLine snow melting systems, call 866.676.9276 today.


ProLine Radiant Roof Heating Systems

ProLine Offers Complete Roof Deicing Solutions 

Did you know that ProLine Radiant offers industry leading roof deicing and gutter melt systems? These systems include STEP RoofHeat low-voltage roof heating systems as well as self-regulating heat cable. Both systems are at the top of their class, providing energy-efficient and highly effective roof heating solutions for both residential and business properties.

Ice dams are the most frequent cause of expensive roof and water damage. Warm air rises up through the attic to warm the roof, causing snow to melt and trickle down towards the roof’s edge. But when the runoff reaches the cold eaves, it refreezes and forms the beginnings of an ice dam. This process repeats until there is significant build up of ice. Water then pools behind the ice dam, which can seep into cracks and damage the roof as it repeatedly expands from freezing. Eventually, the water can seep into your home, resulting in water damage as well as mold and mildew growth.

Heated roof valley and edge.

ProLine Radiant provides industry leading solutions to address costly roof damage. Both the STEP RoofHeat system and the self-regulating RoofHeat cable can prevent ice dams from forming.

STEP RoofHeat systems consist of a thin, semi-conductive polymer heating element that can be discreetly secured under the shingles or roofing surface. The flexible self-regulating heating element can be nailed or stapled through, facilitating the installation process, and is Mylar coated for added protection from alkaline or salt damage.

The low-voltage system utilizes a transformer to “step down” high voltage to low voltage (60 V or less) while controlling a specific section of the roof deicing system. The individual control boxes are the source for monitoring the power and output to the heating element to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient performance.

Self-regulating heat cable is also a common roof deicing solution. The cable can be installed to heat roof edges as well as in gutters and downspouts.

All ProLine Radiant roof heating systems are fully automated. An activation device/snow sensor detects precipitation and temperature and signals the controller when conditions warrant. After receiving the signal, the controller then sends power to the heating element, activating the radiant snowmelt system to heat the roof. ProLine’s top products combined with unprecedented customer service make smart business sense. For more information about ProLine Radiant and its products and services, call 866.676.9276 today.