The cable for heating the downpipe is internal. How to heat roofs and gutters with an anti-icing system. Ready solutions on the market

Roof and gutter heating necessary for houses located in climatic zones where a significant amount of snow falls. Under its weight, the destruction of the roof structure can occur and drainage system. This problem is especially relevant for private houses, which have a heated room under the roof. This design leads to active snow melting in the area of ​​​​the ridge and the formation of ice growths on the edge of the roof and in the stormwater system.

A similar pattern is observed in spring, when daily temperature fluctuations reach tens of degrees. During the day, the snow cap on the roof melts, and in the evening, before it reaches the storm drain, it freezes. This situation is extremely dangerous both for the building itself and for people who can be seriously injured by the fall of large pieces of ice. In order to prevent destruction roofs and gutters, extend their service life and maintain a presentable appearance, used sewer heating system.

How does it work sewer heating system ?

Principle of operation heating systems the drain is based on the use of thermal energy, which is generated when electricity passes through a flexible cable that has a certain resistance. Heating is installed in places where there is the slightest possibility of ice formation. As a rule, the laying of heating elements is carried out on the roof, along gutters and risers. Heat contributes to the melting of snow and prevents the freezing of water in the drainage system when the temperature drops below 0°C.

Heating cable for roofing and gutters used to perform the following tasks:

• elimination of excess pressure on the roofing system by snow and ice masses;
• preventing the formation of icicles and blocks of ice on the edges of the roof slopes;
• round-the-clock removal of melt water from the roof;
• preventing the formation of ice plugs and congestion in the channels for water drainage;
• automatic cleaning of the roof from excess snow without the use of physical effort;
• extending the life of the drainage system.

Electrical heating of gutters with the use of modern control equipment allows you to completely exclude human participation in the operation of systems. The correct choice of fixture, its competent installation and configuration contribute to the fact that heating gutters and drains, roofing and drainage will be carried out efficiently and economically. Given the cost of electricity, this factor should be taken into account.

Heating system device

Downpipe heating is a rather complex technical process. As a rule, the installation of the system is carried out by specialists with the necessary knowledge and experience. But if you show patience, accuracy and a thoughtful approach, then you can arrange the heat supply to the drain and roof on your own. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the general device heating systems and with the rules of its installation.

Standard system heating gutters consists of the following devices and mechanisms:

1. heating part. She is an electrical cable for gutters, with the help of which trays, pipes and roofing are heated. Its installation is carried out from the outside and inside of these structures so as to initially exclude the very possibility of any mechanical damage and rupture. The wire has sufficient strength and a reliable coating that provides protection from solar radiation, water, heat and cold. When installing heating systems, 2 types of heating elements are used: resistive and self-regulating cable. As a rule, both are used for high-quality and economical heating.


2. distribution part. This is a set of power cables, mounting and junction boxes, fixtures for fastening and fixing. The information part is designed to distribute electricity, receive and transmit signals from sensors and indicators.
3. Control system. It consists of a shield, thermostats, indicators, sensors, starting, regulating and protective devices.

The complete set of the device for heating of gutters can be various. Its volume and the characteristics of the devices depend on the area to be covered and the required power. In addition, the amount of automation may vary due to the choice of the type of heating elements.

Selection of heating elements

Cable for heating gutters is the basis of the anti-icing system. The efficiency of the installed system largely depends on the correctness of its choice.

During installation, use heating cable for drain of this type:

1. Resistive for drains. This is a fairly simple and inexpensive product, which is a metal wireenclosed in strong insulation. All its parameters, such as power, heating temperature and resistance, are constant. This is both a plus and a minus at the same time. The advantage is that the resistive wire is easy to install and operate. The disadvantage is that its temperature cannot be changed depending on the specific situation. So, the power of the wire may not be enough for drain heating in severe frost. But at a temperature close to zero, the heat produced by it will be wasted. Use resistive wire for arranging large areas of roofing and long lengths of gutters and pipes.
2. Self-regulating. This product is high tech. The cable consists of a core, which is insulated with two layers of sheath and a steel braid. The heating element itself changes power and resistance depending on the ambient temperature.
   and strong cold resistance is maximum. As the air warms up, it decreases, and the cable heats up less and less. Due to the high cost, self-regulating wire is used to a limited extent. Typically, it is used to heating of gutters, located in a pipe or in gutters where the movement of snow masses occurs.

When arranging houses, it is recommended to use both types of wire. So you can achieve a quality result without tangible overpayments. Inexpensive heating resistance cable is used to cover large areas under the roof. As for self-regulating elements, they are attached to the most difficult sections of drains.

Roof and gutter heating design

Efficiency heating systems directly depends on the quality of the design and the right equipment. Don't skimp on it. Even the most modern and expensive devices cost an order of magnitude less than repairing a roof and drainage systems.

Design is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Identification of areas to be heated. Without fail, valleys, roof edges, gutters and pipes are taken into account. If heating elements are not laid in the pipes, this leads to the formation of ice plugs in them from the water melted on the roof. A roof that is left unheated may simply not withstand the accumulated snow and fail. It is for these reasons that the issue of heat supply must be approached comprehensively.
2. The choice of heating cable. Functional self-regulating wire is placed in gutters and pipes, since in these places the greatest likelihood of ice formation is. Resistive products are used to heat large areas on the roof.
3. Choice of control system. Modern devices have a wide functionality. They can significantly reduce electricity consumption when weather conditions change. The correct selection of sensors and sensors gives the system the command to work only when it is needed.

When the heating zones are determined and the choice of devices, equipment and fixtures is made, the calculation of the property that will be required for installation is carried out. The result of planning is project documentation, which takes into account all applicable building codes and safety measures.

Mounting heating systems roofing

The arrangement of the roof can be done independently, if you have elementary knowledge in the field of electrical engineering. A person who can read electrical diagrams will easily cope with the installation heating systems .

Its installation is carried out as follows:

1. Heating elements are cut according to the dimensions of the zones for which they are intended. Couplings and adapters are installed where necessary. If the drain pipes are of considerable height, then a steel cable is mounted inside them, which will take on the weight of the heating wire.
2. The heating element is laid out on the drainage system. It is attached to its surface with adhesive aluminum tape. Such a connection is distinguished not only by high strength and reliability, but also by productivity in terms of a larger heat supply area. The aluminum tape itself heats up from the wire. At the inlet and outlet of the riser, a more rigid fixation with bolts or rivets is used.


3. Mounting boxes are installed. Connection and wiring for consumers is carried out. The electrical parameters of each line are checked for integrity, reliability of insulation and resistance value.
4. Sensors, gauges, control and measuring devices are mounted and connected. Installs the control unit (cabinet, shield).
5. A power cable is supplied to provide power to the system. The equipment is connected to electricity. The operation of all systems and mechanisms is checked. Particular attention is paid to the reliability of the protective devices.

After all devices and devices are connected and checked, they are configured.

The heating system needs periodic maintenance. It consists in regular inspection of the heating cable and mounting boxes. Detected garbage is immediately removed. Peeled aluminum strips are replaced with new ones. Before the start of winter, the system must be tested for performance. For prevention and safety purposes, worn sections of heating elements are updated. If you follow these rules, then roof and gutter heating system will perform its tasks qualitatively for several decades.

In winter, icing of roofs and the appearance of ice growths on the eaves becomes a serious problem. A significant increase in snow load on the roof structure can damage the roof or even cause it to collapse. Ice icicles form at the edges of the eaves, which, when falling, pose a significant threat to pedestrians and cars parked next to buildings. In winter, gutter systems designed to drain melt and rain water, after alternate thawing during a thaw and subsequent freezing during frost, become so clogged with ice that normal operation becomes impossible. To solve these problems, an innovative technology for heating downpipes and gutters with an electric self-regulating cable is used, which, due to the automatic mode of operation, greatly facilitates the maintenance of gutters in winter.

The collapse of the cornice overhang under the destructive action of snow and ice

Winter heating technology

The principle of operation of this technology is based on the heating of gutters and downpipes with a heating electric cable laid in the roof structure, along drain pipes, downcomers, intake funnels and other places where ice and snow accumulate. The heating cable, equipped with an automatic temperature switch, generates the necessary amount of heat that can cause ice and snow to melt.

Gutter heating systems “without icicles” perform the following functions:

• Prevents the appearance of frost and prevents the formation of an ice crust.
• Creates normal conditions for drainage of melted ice and snow through downpipes and gutters.
• Eliminates the threat of blockage of pipes with an ice plug and failure of pipe drains.
• Eliminates the threat of a dangerous fall of ice and icicles.
• Extends the service life of gutters.

In addition, the heating complex operates in full automatic mode and does not require manual control.

Scheme of heating gutters and drain pipes with a heating cable

The concept of self-regulating cable

Among all types of special cable products used for heating roof drain pipes and wall gutters, electrical self-regulating wire provides the most effective frost protection. According to its structural structure, it consists of two conductive cores connected to a special semiconductor matrix, with photopolymer internal insulation, wire or foil braid, and external plastic insulation. Two insulating layers provide maximum resistance to external mechanical shock loads and increase the dielectric strength. The main element of a self-regulating wire is a semiconductor matrix, which can convert its electrical energy into thermal energy. Depending on the decrease or increase in the winter temperature regime, the electrical resistance of the wire changes, the thermal heating of the wire begins, sufficient to defrost the gutter and drain pipe. It is this use of the self-regulation effect that underlies the principle of operation of the heating cable.

Self-regulating wire automatically changes the power consumption of electrical energy and regulates the heating temperature .

Structural structure of self-regulating cable

The main advantages of the heating cable

The electric self-regulating cable stands out from its "brothers" due to the following advantages:

1. Profitability.
2. Low power consumption.
3. Reliability and durability.
4. No risk of overheating or burnout.
5. Ease of installation.
6. The cable can be cut into pieces of the required length directly at the installation site.

The cable system against icing of gutters is easy to install, has an automatic control unit and does not require dismantling in the summer

Heating cable disadvantages:

• Defrosting downpipes at low winter temperatures requires a sufficiently high starting electric current.
• Long warm-up period.
• High price.

Heating of downpipes and gutters with a self-regulating cable

In order to melt the ice cover, in the drainage system, the heating wire is placed in the design of the pipe and the funnels themselves, the place of the main formation of ice. There are several features of laying a self-regulating wire:

1. If the diameter of the drain is not more than 100 mm, the cable is laid in one thread.
2. To heat gutters with a diameter of 100 mm to 300 mm, two strands of wire will be required.
3. At the entrance to the gutter structure, the cable is fixed with steel brackets.
4. The upper and lower part of the drain needs enhanced heating. Therefore, it is recommended to additionally lay several turns of wire in the form of a spiral or the cable is laid in the form of a “dripping” loop.
5. In the case when the length of the drains is more than 3 meters, the cable is fixed with strong fasteners in the form of a metal chain, a cable, fixed on the wooden elements of the roof.

The power of the self-regulating cable is selected depending on the diameter of the drain.

An example of laying a self-regulating wire in a water intake funnel

Video example of a winter heating device for gutters:

The procedure for calculating the power of the heating system

If the owner of a private house is tired of manually cleaning ice from the roof and gutters, and he decides to install a heating system, then the first step towards the intended goal will be the development of a heating project. In fact, the selection of the cable and the calculation of the required power are carried out by specialists that every reputable trading organization has. Unfortunately, occasionally there are not too conscientious suppliers who are interested in selling an expensive anti-icing complex and therefore you should not rely completely on the honesty of the seller. For this reason, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the general rules for calculation and design:

• Drawing up a plan for laying the heating cable. With an insulated roof with a slight slope, the wire is placed around the perimeter and in the water intake funnels.
• On flat roofs, the cable is laid in the areas adjacent to the gutters.
• Roofs with a large angle of inclination require a slightly different laying pattern. The cable is laid in a zigzag pattern between the edge of the roof and the snow retainer structure.
• In places where the roof adjoins the wall and on the valleys of gable roofs, a kind of pocket is formed, in which frost is constantly formed. In these places, the heating cable is laid in height at a distance equal to 2/3 from the long side of the valley. In places where the roof and wall come into contact, the heating wire is laid in an elongated loop of 10 - 15 cm at a distance of 5 to 8 cm, without bringing it to the structure to the wall.
• If it is necessary to heat a roof with a large slope and without an organized drain, the heating cable is laid in a “drip” loop. In this case, it is planned to install the cable in a loop in such a way that the melt water drops directly from it to the ground. The dripping loop element increases the consumption of cable products by 50 - 80 mm.
• In a gutter up to 150 mm wide, a heating cable is laid in one thread and brought in a dripping loop of 300 - 400 mm into the water intake funnel of the drain.

As mentioned above, the best option for a heating cable is a self-regulating cable. Since this type of cable product is more expensive and its price ranges from 240 to 660 rubles per 1 meter, it can only be used for heating gutters, and the roof structure can be equipped with a cheaper type of heating wire.

Type of gutter system with electric cable heating

The next step is for the owner to decide on the maintenance locations where the junction boxes will need to be installed. Most often they are installed on the roof next to the heating cable or somewhere under a canopy or on a parapet fence.

Calculation of the power of the electric heating system

The next step in the calculation of the “system without icicles” will be the determination of the linear and total power consumption. There is a table of values ​​​​of approximate power values ​​\u200b\u200bof various types of roofing:

Plastic gutters are equipped with a heating cable with a total power of not more than 17 W / m, and for a roof with a soft coating, the power of 20 W / m is considered the maximum allowable.

After determining the estimated power of the heating wire, calculate its required length and the number of cable threads, knowing that the maximum length of one circuit should not exceed 120 - 150 meters. Each circuit is connected to its own UZ0.

At the final stage, the control panel of the entire heating complex is selected.

Laying a self-regulating wire - the ideal roof solution "without icicles"

Maintenance

For the normal operation of the laid heating self-regulating cable, it is necessary to timely perform the following preventive measures:

1. Once a year, before the winter season, visually inspect the cable surface for mechanical damage.
2. Before starting operation in the cold season, it is necessary to clean the water intake gutters and funnels from leaves, branches and other debris.
3. Check the resistance value of the insulating layer.
4. Before the onset of cold weather, set the operation of the automatic thermostat.
5. Check RCD.

Preparation for winter operation of the heated chute

Using the technology of heating gutters with a heating cable can significantly save the time of the owner of the house for cleaning from ice, eliminates the possibility of injury due to falling ice icicles. Therefore, the cost of acquiring and installing this entire complex in winter will be fully justified. Of course, equipping gutters with heating is a serious project and for the best result of operation, it is desirable to participate in installation by experienced specialists. .

Features of the choice of control automation

Electrical installation has several types. The choice of a connection scheme through an automatic type humidity and temperature controller is most justified. The system is fully automated thanks to humidity sensors installed in those places on the roof where snow and melted ice most often accumulate. The automatic control unit and self-regulating cables result in high system efficiency and energy savings. It can be connected via an air sensor or thermostat. Such a system uses only one parameter in its work - air temperature. And the probability of ice formation is no longer taken into account. Manual connection is the cheapest way, but requires constant attention and monitoring of weather conditions.

Roof and gutter heating is a relatively inexpensive and high-quality option for protecting a building in difficult climatic conditions and seasonal weather changes.

Why does ice accumulate

The causes of ice formation relate to external and internal factors:

• Frequent temperature changes. This leads to the fact that the layer of snow that was already lying could melt, after the temperature dropped, it froze and was covered by the next one.
• Failure to comply with the angle of the roof slope. It should be calculated in accordance with the climatic features of a particular area.
• Uncleaned drain channels. In autumn, the gutters could be covered with foliage. It clogs the holes, which prevents the outflow of water.
• Insufficient insulation of the attic space.
• The presence of an attic. When using the attic as a living space, steam is released, in addition, this leads to an increase in the temperature of the flooring. This causes the snow to melt and the water to freeze in the cold.
• Irregular roof cleaning.

What threatens the icing of drains

The gutter heating system is usually installed in conjunction with the heating of some sections of the roof. This type of device has the following tasks:

• Removal of icicles and frozen influxes on the roof.
• Prevention of roof deck rot due to moisture accumulation.
• Release of holes from congestion for the passage of fluid.
• Prevention of sudden changes in temperature, which can damage some materials.
• Reducing the weight of the overlying sediment layer to reduce the load.
• Extending the life of the flooring and the entire truss system.
• Roof cleaning automation.

Mounted usually together with roof heating

Features of heating gutters at home

The heating of the roof and gutters depends on many factors, which include:

• type of electrical cable;
• type of roof
• climatic conditions of the region.

We will talk about the types of heating cable a little later, now we will determine what main types of roofs exist and how this can affect the installation of an anti-icing system.

The structure of the cable for heating the drain.

A warm roof is characterized by a lack of insulation, which causes the formation of ice growths. Such roofs melt the snow even at sub-zero temperatures, after which the water flows down to the cold edge and freezes. That is why for this type of roof, additional laying of heating sections along the very edge with loops is necessary. The width of such loops is from thirty to fifty centimeters, the specific power of the system varies from two hundred to two hundred and fifty watts per square meter.

Heating of a cold roof and gutters is somewhat different. These roofs are well insulated and often have a well-ventilated attic space. For such roofs, only heating of drains is installed with a linear power of twenty to thirty watts per meter, while the power should gradually increase to sixty to seventy watts in parallel with an increase in the length of the drain. All cables must be equipped with a special protective device for disconnection.

Also, a feature of heating gutter systems and roofs is the careful planning of the length and location of cables, the possibility of laying the system with your own hands. This takes into account the length of the valley, all parts of the system, the running footage of downpipes, their required number. For one hundred - one hundred and fifty millimeters of the gutter, approximately thirty - sixty watts of power per linear meter is needed, for a gutter with a width of one hundred and fifty millimeters, the calculated power under standard weather conditions is two hundred watts per square meter.

Cable types for gutters

For heating the roof, various types of cable are used, which can be laid with your own hands after calculating the system and sections. Two types of cable are used: resistive and self-regulating.

A resistive cable has a lower cost and availability, its principle of operation is as follows: a conductive metal core is heated due to the internal resistance supplied to the electric current. Heating gutters by this method is quite simple, the operation of the system is not complicated and expensive. Among the advantages it should be noted:

• low cost;
• lack of starting currents at startup;
• presence of constant power.

Although the latter characteristic can be a serious drawback, since the need for heat is specific to different areas, some of them can overheat, while others simply do not have enough heat.

Do-it-yourself system installation with resistive cables is simple, the cable can be laid along gutters and pipes or wrapped around them.

A more preferable option is to lay a zonal resistive cable, which has a special nichrome heating filament. At the same time, the linear power of the cable does not depend on the length, it can even be cut if necessary.

Heating drains with a self-regulating electric cable is more reliable, but the price of the system is much higher, and the cable itself has a limited shelf life due to the gradual aging of a special heating self-regulating matrix. The advantage of such a system for heating gutters is that the cable being laid can change its resistance, that is, the heat generated corresponds to exactly the level that is needed at the moment.

It is believed that laying self-regulating systems is more economical to use, simple and reliable. Therefore, you can look at the cost of such systems from different manufacturers and choose the option that best suits your budget.

Heating of gutters and gutters

The main reason for the inoperability of the building's drainage system during the cold season is the accumulation of ice in the gutters and downpipes.

If the roof is cold, that is, it does not have large heat losses, and there is no melting of snow on the roof itself, then laying the heating cable in the gutters and downpipes is enough to solve the problem of icing.

Cable selection

Linear power is selected based on the diameter of the downpipes and the width of the gutters. Of lesser importance is the material of the drainage system - plastic warms up a little worse than metal - more power is needed. Table No. 1 shows the average values. For difficult conditions - altitude, wind load - the power should be increased, if there is little ice, then the power can be reduced.

Table No. 1: Selection of a heating cable for heating gutters and drains

Resistive cable should be used with caution in these areas, as it, unlike self-regulating, is not resistant to local overheating

And gutters and drains are just those areas where foliage and dirt accumulate.

It is also more profitable to use a self-regulating cable because during installation inside the drainpipe it saves a lot of energy when dry.

And now we will analyze in detail the installation of a heating cable in various parts of the building's drainage system:

Downspouts

In any downpipe there is always an upward flow of air. In fact, the drainpipe works like a blower. When installing a heating cable inside the drain, the air flow even increases slightly. Therefore, it is necessary to perform reinforcement, namely, to lay additional loops at the mark and around the water intake funnel. Thus, it turns out that for each drainpipe an additional 1.5-2 m of heating cable will be required.

If you study the manufacturers' guidelines, they say that if the height of the drain is less than 4 m, then the cable can be lowered inside it without additional devices. However, our experience shows that in order to increase the service life of a heating cable, it is necessary to fix it on a cable so that the mechanical load is carried not by the cable itself, but by the cable. It is also desirable to protect the cable at the point of exit from the pipe with a metal lining.

Internal gutters

In the case of internal downpipes, it turns out that most of the downpipe is located in a warm room. Therefore, in most cases, it is sufficient to heat the upper part of the pipe, i.e. lower the heating cable from above to the ceiling, to a depth of 0.8-1.5 m, and additionally heat a small area around the funnel. It is convenient to do this by attaching the cable to a metal mesh. The weak point is also the exit from the pipe (it works like a blower). In this case, the power supply is supplied from below: the heating cable is inserted into the pipe through a clamp with a gland. True, supplying power from below and above to the same pipe is quite labor-intensive, which in some cases (height less than 8 m) can negate the savings in the footage of the heating cable.

Hanging gutters

On the horizontal sections of the drainage system of the building, the heating cable is fixed every 0.3-0.5 m using pieces of mounting tape. The tape itself is attached to the gutter using rivets (on a metal gutter) or self-tapping screws (plastic gutter). Cable power is selected according to table No. 1. If there is a weather station, the moisture sensor is also installed in the gutter.

Sloping gutters

Branching

In order to simplify the power supply subsystem with a large number of gutters and drainpipes, branching nodes are used:

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Choosing a heating cable manufacturer

To ensure maximum functionality and reliability of expensive roof heating systems, it is necessary to use only original components from manufacturers with a solid business reputation. Monitor supplier compliance with this requirement. Savings at the stage of purchasing cables and other elements during their operation most often result in additional costs for the repair of failed sections. And, on the contrary, a high-quality cable can significantly save on energy costs.

The correct choice of heating cables is not enough for the full functioning of electric heating. In addition, competent installation of the system is required. Only companies specializing in this type of work and officially representing the cable manufacturer should be trusted with the installation. In this case, the proper experience of specialists, a responsible and competent approach to carrying out calculations and direct installation of equipment are guaranteed.

Important nuances when choosing a heating cable

The ideal option for organizing and performing work on the arrangement of roof heating systems and gutters is the participation in the process of one specialist capable of:

• design the system taking into account the technical and operational conditions;
• select accessories;
• manage the installation.

It is desirable that the specialist has a certificate from the manufacturer

The presence of certificates for cable roof heating systems is a guarantee of their uninterrupted and long-term functioning.
Pay attention to the power of the proposed heating cable. If this figure exceeds 50 watts per linear meter of the product, do not immediately agree

As a rule, designers of heating systems make such proposals for reinsurance, or the heating cable fasteners do not provide effective heat transfer to the heated surface. In this case, the cost of buying a cable of too high power is not justified.
The more power the cable has, the more expensive it is. And the power consumption will be approximately 2 times higher than required for the efficient operation of the system. It turns out that most of the heat will be spent on heating the air, which means that almost half of the cost of paying for electricity will be in vain. In addition, leaves, dirt, dust, etc. can get under the heating cable during operation, as a result, the efficiency will be significantly reduced. When using our unique Raychem cable heating systems, such problems are eliminated.

Significantly affects the functionality of the system and the choice of other components, in particular the control unit. Such devices should be selected individually for each project. It is also necessary to specify the mode of operation of the heating system, depending on the type and other features of the roof.

When designing anti-icing, many factors must be taken into account, in particular, to determine:

• exit points of power cables to the roof;
• installation locations of junction boxes and thermostat;
• roof areas where heating is required (valleys, junctions, etc.);
• problem areas and defects in the drain, taking into account the functioning of the heating system (gutter slopes, non-rolled pipe funnels, etc.).

In addition, you need:

• take into account the presence of drainage, snow retention, etc.;
• use fasteners that maximize heat transfer from the heating cable to the heated surface of the roof elements.

If you are counting on the stable and correct functioning of heating systems, you should use only original components (cable, boxes, heat-shrinkable sets, etc.), entrusting their installation to experienced professionals who have been trained by the component manufacturer.

When installing the roof heating system, we use the method of continuous foiling of the heating cable, which ensures a high heat transfer efficiency. This method has an additional advantage - over time, neither foliage nor dirt gets under the heating cable, which means that its heat transfer to the heated surface does not decrease.

Our advice will help you make the right choice. We are ready to give additional advice, as well as to develop a technically competent, most efficient and cost-effective project for a roof heating system and implement it.

Installation on different types of roof

Depending on the type of roof and, accordingly, the places “weak” to icing, the heating cable is laid in different ways.

High-quality heating is possible with the correct location of the wire. The cable, as a rule, is laid in a snake, the height of its laying is usually equal to the length of the roof slope to the intersection with the plane of the walls and plus 20 cm. In such places, the most intensive accumulation of melted ice occurs. The cable is laid in increments of 50 or 60 cm. Here you need to proceed from the climatic zone. In places where the temperature changes above or below zero degrees very often, it is necessary to reduce the laying step, in which case the heating will be more efficient. For the free passage of melt water, the cable must be laid in gutters and gutters around the perimeter of the building. This method is applicable for a single, gable roof with a soft surface.

For a metal roof, the following method of laying heating elements is typical. The wire is laid on each side of the seam of metal sheets, then passed through the gutters to the second seam and beyond. The cable allowance along the seam is approximately equal to the distance from the roof slope to the intersection with the plane of the walls and plus 30 cm.

The heating of the roof and drains with a flat surface is carried out by placing the wire around the perimeter and in the waste inclined planes. In sloping roof options for buildings where gutters are not provided, the method of loop-like placement of the cable is used with an allowance for the edge of 7 cm.

Ice accumulations also form in valleys, that is, in the inner corners of the intersection of a sloping roof, so they also need heating.

Methods for fastening the heat-producing core are selected depending on the type of roofing material. On soft roofs, a mechanical fastening method is used using clips that are nailed to the surface. The joints are treated with sealant. On the side of the roof about 10 meters long, you will need about 50-55 clips, when laying in a “snake” way.

Mounting with glue is also possible. On a metal roof, the installation of the wire is carried out by gluing staples with special glue. 5 staples required per stitch

With the glue method, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the glue and follow the technology of its use, due to the fact that frost is especially strong on metal roofs and the heating core must be securely fixed. Fastening staples with nails and screws to a metal roof is rarely used, due to the direct impact on the roofing material and the violation of the anti-corrosion coating.

Scheme of automatic heating of the roof.

In gutters less than 15 cm wide, the wire is placed without rigid fixation; in wider gutters, it is recommended to place two cores separated by inserts. Directly into the drain or funnel, the core must be lowered by 30-40 cm to prevent ice accumulation, since freezing of drains renders the entire system of melt water runoff unusable.

How to mount the system

In order to fully equip ourselves to proceed with the installation of the system, we will visually consider an example of a heating scheme for roofs and gutters and we will adhere to a certain sequence.

First, we select the installation location of the automation and control system indoors. Often the main controller and protection devices need to be located near the electrical switchboard. This is done for ease of installation, and allows you to reduce the length of cable and wire routes and increase the reliability of the circuit. It will not be difficult to connect the controller, since all its outputs and terminals are signed and marked. A person who is familiar with the basics of electrical wiring and knows how to handle a tool will quickly orient himself and do such work with his own hands.

The installation of a heating conductor in drains should be considered based on the fact that it is divided into four components (gutter, sewer, funnel and water intake), each of which must be heated. First you need to feed a loop of wire into the downpipe and screw it into the water inlet using steel clamps. Then we fix the cable in the lower part of the sewer as high as possible, placing it at a distance of 5 cm from each other in the part of the pipe that is closer to the house (melt water usually flows through it). In the same way we fix the conductor and at the top near the bottom of the funnel

It is important that if the pipe consists of several collapsible parts, then in each of them it is necessary to organize an intermediate fastening of the heating system. In the funnel, the cable is laid in the form of a ring and screwed with clamps in this position

We pass to the gutter. In it, the wires must be placed on lateral opposite surfaces. Further, the ends are connected in the junction box to the terminals.

Advice! The self-regulating conductor does not have to be laid in a loop. Installation in one core is suitable, the end of which is insulated with a special plug.

Let's take a flat roof as an example of installing a heating element. The cable is laid in the lower part along the perimeter of the water flow line and is laid in the inner funnel of the drain at a distance of 400 mm if the sewer is located in the building. If the pipe is mounted outside, then the “drip loop” scheme is used. At the points of contact between the parapet and the roof, the laid conductor should have a power of about 60-70 W / m 2. It is also necessary that a wire be laid around the heated funnel at a distance of 2 m as shown in the figure below:

The sequence of cutting the heating wire is shown in the photo:

Finally, when the previous steps are completed, the drainage and roof heating control system is connected to the heating elements using power cables through transitional junction boxes. Also, all necessary sensors and protection equipment are connected.

You can clearly see the installation process of the anti-icing system in the video:

That's all I wanted to tell you about how to do the heating of the roof and gutters with your own hands. We hope that the provided instructions were useful and interesting for you!

Which cable to choose

To install heating systems, two main types of conductors are used - resistive and self-regulating.

Resistive is very similar in structure to a typical two-wire power cable. It consists of several layers of insulation, inside of which there are heating conductors isolated from each other, connected to the power circuit. The temperature to which the wire warms up is always constant, as is the useful power and the resistance value. The photo below shows its structure:

A self-regulating heating conductor for heating roofs and gutters is produced using a special technology and, based on its name, is able to independently adjust the heating temperature. This allows you to make it a special structure. It consists of a matrix (itself regulates the degree of heating depending on the ambient temperature, therefore, changes the resistance) and external insulation, with an insulating sheath and a braid inside. The photo below shows what the wire consists of:

To determine the choice of the heating element of the system, we turn to their advantages and disadvantages. So, a resistive conductor is significantly cheaper in cost than a self-regulating one. However, the latter will automatically adjust to the desired temperature of the drains, as a result of which there is no need to use temperature sensors.

So what's the choice? It is rational to use both types of elements when installing the heating of gutters and roofs. Their combined use reduces the overall cost of the project and has a positive effect on the final quality of the system. It is customary to use resistive elements for the roof, and self-regulating elements for drainage systems.

How to heat gutters

The climate of many regions can hardly be called mild, the winter months are usually quite severe, snowy, the temperature can drop to quite low values. At the same time, the roofs of buildings are strongly affected, on which large masses of snow and ice accumulate, and this is fraught with a number of problems: icicles are formed on the edges of the roofs, which are dangerous to human health and life, snow and ice on the roof contribute to the fact that the roof structure can collapse.

Do-it-yourself heating of the drainage system is necessary to melt snow and ice.

In order to avoid such troubles, it is recommended to heat gutters with special cable systems that allow you to melt snow and ice in gutters and downpipes, to divert melt water to a safe distance from the house and its foundation.

Installing such systems for the roof is a rather complicated and costly business, but it fully justifies itself. Many people prefer to reduce the cost of work by laying the cable only on the surface of the roof, believing that this is quite enough, but this is far from the case. Often snow and ice completely clog gutters and drainpipes, and meltwater can only harm the roof, it has nowhere to go down, and drainpipes clogged with ice can simply burst.

Heating of gutters can be carried out by several methods, which differ not only in the way the cable is laid, but also in its type. Such a system can be laid by hand, but it is best to entrust its calculation and verification before launch to professionals who can guarantee the safety of cable electric heating.

Where does ice appear on the roof and drain

Icicles on the roof eaves and ice in the gutter occur due to two main reasons:

1. The difference between day and night temperatures. This often manifests itself in the spring, when during the day the snow on the roof melts under the influence of solar heat and flows from the roof into the drainage system, and at night it freezes with a decrease in temperature, sometimes forming huge ice. Ice heaps often lead to the fact that the drainage system simply cannot withstand their weight, since it is not designed for it, and becomes unusable, simply breaking.
2. Operation of a warm roof. The so-called mansard roofs, as a rule, are more likely to form frost even in winter, since the heated room under the roof provokes, albeit insignificant, heating of the roofing carpet. As a result, the snow melts, and water begins to flow down the roof overhang, and at the colder cornice part of the roof and in the drain, it freezes again.

Scheme of cold and warm roof

Advice from a professional: You can prevent the heating of the roof in winter by organizing the so-called cold roof (with an unheated ventilated attic), as well as competently arranging the roofing pie - with a properly arranged ventilation gap and sufficient insulation thickness.

The principle of operation of the heating system

The heating system operates in automatic mode. Virtually no user intervention is required. This is ensured by the fact that the design provides for the presence of a special sensor that continuously receives data on the ambient temperature. It transmits a signal to the regulator, which closes the electric current supply circuit and the heating elements already come into action, heating the layer of snow or ice.

The composition of the heating system

If necessary, activation can be done manually, usually an additional switch is provided for this.

Do-it-yourself heating of the drainage system and roof

In winter and early spring, it is not uncommon to see huge, menacing-looking icicles hanging on the roof overhangs of houses, icy or, even worse, gutters disabled under a mass of ice. Properly organized heating of drains can prevent such phenomena - protect the inhabitants of the house from ice falling from the roof, and protect the drainpipe system from the need for annual repairs.

In our article, we will analyze the factors that affect the appearance of ice on roof overhangs and gutters, and we will also describe in detail how to choose a suitable heating cable, its installation scheme and arrange heating of the roof and gutters on our own.

Winter and early spring is a special period, which is characterized by icicles hanging from the slopes of the roofs. And they look pretty menacing. They can harm you. Even worse is when the entire gutter freezes over. In most cases, the system will need to change or replace a single element. But so that in winter the drainage system does not freeze, and dangerous icicles do not hang from the slopes, there is a simple solution - a drainage heating system. Thanks to her, icing on the roof and gutters is not scary.

But, why does ice form on overhangs and in the drain? How is the roof heating system arranged? What are its constituent parts? We learn all this from the article.

Why does ice appear

Let's start at the root of the problem. Icicles appear for a reason. This is due to at least two factors. What exactly?

These are the two main reasons for the formation of ice. To solve this problem, you will have to do the heating of the roof and gutters. And this means that they will constantly maintain a positive temperature, so the liquid will not freeze. What are roof and gutter heating systems? Let's find out.

What is the heating of the drainage system and the roof slope

What is the main element that does all the heating work? If we talk about warming the house, then everything is clear, there are pipes and radiators. What insulates gutters? This is a heating cable for gutters and roofs. It is laid around the entire perimeter of the gutters, pipes and overhang so that it maintains their temperature. It is noteworthy that such heating wires are used not only for heating the roof, but also for plumbing, fire safety systems, for fan pipes, etc.

What is the essence of insulation? The heating cable for the roof is mounted in all elements of the drain. It performs heating due to the electrical energy that comes from the outlet. In order for the system to work properly, there are many additional elements, which we will talk about later. They measure the temperature outside, start or stop heating, act as fuses, etc. Electricity flows through the wire, which heats it, giving out the necessary heat. There are two different types of cables that can be used to insulate a roof and a drain.

Types of heating cables for heating the drainage system

If this is the first time you hear about heating wires, then there are only two types. They are strikingly different from each other, but both the first and the second type successfully do their job. What are these cables?

What is the difference between them? Very big. If we talk about the resistive type, then in life it looks like a simple wire that has an inner metal core (conductor) and protective insulation. Its characteristic lies in the fact that it has a constant resistance, the same heating temperature in all areas and an unchanging power. This is both a plus and a big minus. It is heated by means of a closed circuit of electricity.

Note! The wire can be single-core or double-core.

But the self-regulating heating cable works differently. It is not so simple, but rather high-tech. It consists of copper conductors, thermoplastic elastomer insulation, protective braid and basic insulation. But a feature of the heating element is its semi-conductive self-regulating matrix. It interacts with the temperature outside, and, depending on it, changes the resistance of the wire. As a result, the degree of heating in a particular area also changes. But what does it give? What heating cable for a drain to choose?

Resistive or self-regulating

We have looked at two types of cables, but which one is better, how do they differ and what are their advantages? Resistive cable is not exactly economical. The thing is that the temperature is always the same in all areas, which increases energy consumption. It costs much less than a self-regulating cable and has the following advantages:

1. Fast heating.
2. High heat dissipation.
3. Able to provide a constant value of the power of the heating system.
4. Has a low price.
5. Requires low starting current.

But still, there are also enough shortcomings. And they are quite serious:

1. Large consumption of electrical energy.
2. Has a short service life.
3. In places where there is an overlap, the cable may burn out.

Together, this negatively affects the performance of the cable. Although it is cheaper than self-regulating, it will last less, it can burn out, and the money you spend on heating will be much more. And what about a self-regulating cable for a heating system?

Its main advantage is the ability to control the air temperature outside the house, adjusting its temperature regime. This means that he will not constantly waste thermal energy on unnecessary heating of gutters and roofs. It uses all energy purposefully and economically. The benefits are clear:

• economical energy consumption;
• ease of installation;
• increased resistance to burnout;
• high level of isolation;
• long service life;
• versatility, it can be used for any type of roof with any coating.

As for the shortcomings, there are few of them:

1. High price.
2. Slow heating.
3. Requires high starting current.

Most prefer to use a self-regulating cable for heating gutters. But in order to save money, you can consider combining one and the other type of cable. But, without additional elements of the heating system, the cables would be useless. What are these elements?

Complete set of drainage heating system

To perform heating of gutters, you need to have a set of components:

1. Fasteners.
2. Switchboard.
3. Distribution network components.
4. Temperature controller.

But, that's not all. If we talk about the control panel, then it includes:

• circuit breaker, consisting of three phases;
• a device that forcibly turns off the system (RCD);
• four-pole contactor;
• single-pole circuit breakers for each phase;
• warning lamp.

If we talk about the elements of the distribution network, then there are 4 of them: power cables from which the heating wires are fed, signal cables that serve to connect the thermostat sensor to the control panel, mounting boxes, couplings that allow for hermetic connection of cables.

The thermostat is a sensor that regulates the entire heating system. It can control by temperature sensor or weather station. The temperature sensor starts the heating system at the specified temperatures. It measures the air temperature, and if it falls below the programmed value, it turns on the system, and vice versa. But the weather station not only determines the temperature, but also measures precipitation and the process of snow melting on the roof. It's all about the humidity sensor.

If cable heating is carried out by means of a temperature sensor, then the owner will need to start and turn off the heating system himself when there is precipitation, and when there is none. If a weather station is used, then the whole process is fully automated. But if you compare the price, then it is more profitable to start the burning on your own using a temperature sensor. Now you know how roof heating works. Cables in one or two strands are mounted in gutters, pipes and on the roof slope. The system is assembled and everything is put into operation.

1. To save money and increase system efficiency, combine resistive and self-regulating heating elements. For the roof, use the resistive type, and for the gutter system, use the self-adjusting type.
2. It is necessary to fix the cable in pipes and gutters with a mounting tape with a maximum thickness. This will ensure good fastening.
3. The mounting pitch of the resistive cable is 250 mm, and the self-regulating cable is 500 mm.
4. All cables must be connected using heat shrink tubing, as water ingress is unacceptable. Joints must be well insulated.
5. The roof cannot be drilled. Fasten the cable on the roof with a sealed mounting tape.
6. All sharp objects near the cable must be removed.
7. It is better if all the components of the heating system are from the same manufacturer.

Conclusion

If you do not want icicles or frost on the roof to damage you and your family, as well as the elements of the roof and drain, then the heating device will solve all your problems.

The problem of icing occurs when the melt water from the roof flowing down the gutters and pipes freezes due to a decrease in ambient temperature or a temperature difference between the roof and the drain (if the roof is not thermally insulated enough). Ice builds up layer by layer on the gutter. The process of icing occurs quite quickly, and the melting of the formed ice takes many times more time. Therefore, the ice has to be removed manually, or with the help of a system that prevents icing of gutters.

Icing of gutters causes a lot of problems:

• Drainage system stops working. Ice clogs pipes, accumulates in gutters, blocks drainage;
• frost increases the load to the drainage system. Massive accumulations of ice overload the supporting structures of drains, which leads to their collapse;
• leaks. Melt water that accumulates on the roof still finds its way down in the form of leaks;
• Drainpipe damage. Frozen water deforms pipes. If there are gaps at the pipe joints, then in these places the chance of damage increases significantly;
• Facade damage. In addition to aesthetic problems from icicles, during the melting of ice, noticeable smudges remain on the facades, spoiling the appearance of the facade. Water penetrates the facade plaster and destroys it;
• security issue. The owner of a building is required by law to maintain it in proper condition, this includes cleaning icicles from gutters. If, by an unfortunate coincidence, falling icicles cause any harm, then you will have to bear responsibility in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

What does the complete gutter heating system look like?:

Heating of gutters and downpipes

The heating cable is mounted along the entire length of the gutters and pipes. Drains are heated in several threads of a heating cable. The number of cable threads is calculated based on the following data: the material from which the pipes and gutters are made (plastic or metal), their size and shape. In addition to these data, the design and technical features of the object, as well as the climatic zone, are taken into account. All the given data allow the designer to correctly calculate the required amount of cable and installation spacing.

If the system is designed wrong, then with a high probability one of the following problems will arise: 1) the system does not compensate for heat loss and does not cope with the task of heating, the gutters freeze, the pipes clog; 2) the system has excess power, the drains are heated, but the power consumption is too high, the system is expensive to operate. In addition to excessive consumption, there is a possibility of overheating and deforming plastic gutters and pipes.

Mounting

Devices for installing the heating cable in the gutter:

• mounting tape;
• plastic fasteners.

Devices for installing a heating cable in a downpipe:

• double mounting tape;
• plastic fasteners.

Heating cable for heating drains

Above, the data necessary for calculating the number of heating cable threads were given. In addition, the power of the heating cable is selected. The table contains up-to-date information on the power required for heating gutters and drain pipes with reference to the climatic conditions of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

For heating gutters, we use a heating cable from Elektra - a proven European manufacturer that gives 10 year warranty for resistive heating cable:

For some objects, at the request of the customer, the calculation can be performed on a self-regulating heating cable from Elektra:

Our advantages

We are the official representative of the Elektra plant in Russia. Turning to us, you are guaranteed to receive genuine products and a favorable price offer for heating cables, temperature controllers and accessories. We specialize in cable heating systems, our design department will prepare a competent solution in the field of heating a gutter system of any complexity. If necessary, heating can include the roof, peaks and cornices of the building. Installation work is carried out by qualified specialists with extensive experience in roofing works related to anti-icing systems.

Diagnostics and maintenance of the drainage heating system

After the system is put into operation, in most cases it is not required to carry out additional measures for its maintenance. System diagnostics are recommended to be carried out before the start of the season (which is included in the system diagnostics).

Diagnostics of the finished system. Our specialists can diagnose the system and identify the cause of the problem. Malfunctions are detected in the process of examining the elements of the system using specialized equipment.