Heating of drainpipes and gutters

Causes of formation of ice dams on the roof and gutter

There are two most common reasons for the formation of ice dams and icicles on the roof:

1. Seasonal and diurnal temperature changes.
2. Warm roof.If the roof is not sufficiently thermally insulated, the snow on it can melt even at sub-zero temperatures.As a result, the water falls from the roof and in the coldest part of the drainage system and freezes again, turning into ice blocks.In order to avoid this it is necessary to insulate the roof well, thereby substantially reducing the heat loss.

heating roof: tools and composition.Types of heating cables

two types of heating cables is used for heating of gutters:

1. Resistive;
2. self-regulating.

Pros resistive cable.Installation can be carried out in any configuration, as it is easy to install.To increase the capacity can be placed in several lines.It is the cheapest.It has low power consumption characteristics.

Cons: Heating occurs uniformly over the entire length, and this leads to overheating and damage as a consequence.If one of the threads is blown, the whole wire comes into disrepair.Unregulated heat transfer process.It requires constant maintenance, removal of debris accumulating, resulting in overheating.

Self-regulating heating cable is qualitatively performs drainpipes and gutters.

Advantages: Resistant to overheating.Very easy to install, since it can be cut into pieces of any length.

Cons: Compared to resistive and has a higher cost.

Both cables can equally effectively heat the roof, with its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

to combine low cost and high quality can be combined heating cables.Using roof resistive cable with a low cost, and heating of drainpipes and gutters carried out with more expensive, but the quality of self-regulating.

elements of the heating system Drain

heating system consists of the following components:

1. heating cable;
2. Fasteners;
3. Control panel;
4. components of the distribution network;
5. thermostat, weather station.

When using the thermostat to run the system manually.To automate this process, use the weather station.But it should be noted that the price at the weather station several times higher than that of a conventional thermostat.

Installation of heating systems.Laying the heating cable

Before starting the layout of the cable to determine where the projected accumulation of snow and ice on the roof.Most often, this roof overhang, horizontal sections of drainage systems, gutters, tubes, funnels, drainage trays valley.If the wire laying space defined right, then heating of drainpipes and gutters will be most effective.

Installation

drain heating system installation warm drain system should be carried out, taking into account the following rules and sequences:

1. Attach the wire in the trenches with the mounting tape across the strips.Choose thicker tape, as from this depends on the service life.Designated fixing belt on the chute, made by rivets, must be sealed.
2. The tubes attach ribbon cable assembly.If the tube length of more than six meters, in order to reduce the load for starting the cable must be attached to the metal cable with insulating lining, and then to be lowered into the pipe body.
3. wire to the roof can not be attached by means of drilling, it is better to make the mounting tape and sealant.
4. mounting location must be inspected and to remove sharp edges and extra items if necessary, which may damage the cable.
5. is necessary not only to establish the mounting box, but to ring them and measure the insulation resistance of the sections.
6. Secure thermostat sensors.
7. Carry signal and power cables to measure their resistance.
8. Install the control panel.
9. Retrieved device.
10. To adjust the thermostat.
11. Run commissioning.