The Warmquest Blog

Retrofit Snow Melting: What to Expect

Professionals
Feb 15, 2020 10:38 am
Written by Kyle Stubbs
Heating an existing driveway or sidewalk is possible via a retrofit installation. While we have written a fair amount about this option elsewhere, this is intended to provide a basic overview of the retrofit installation process and what to expect.

Prepare for Controls and Panels

Determine where your controls will be installed. If you are heating a driveway we recommend somewhere near the front of your garage to minimize the distance to the heated area. Once this is determined you will need to have an electrical contractor bring power from your distribution panel to the control unit or relay panel. Power will also need to be provided for any sensors, timers, or other activation devices.

Design and Mark Layout

Once you have determined the area of the driveway you would like to heat, you can begin planning the layout of the heating cables. Keep in mind the cables are installed in loops and both ends should come back to your control unit or relay panel. We recommend using a chalk line to mark the cable layout on the surface to be heated. The spacing between runs of cable will be determined by the product you choose and the heat density you wish to provide. This information can be found on the bid you receive from our experts. When finished, be sure to measure your layout and verify the lengths match the cables you are planning to install.

Saw Cuts

With the layout marked with the chalk line you are read to cut the grooves for the heating cable. If you are using Hott-Wire, the cuts will be ⅜” wide and 1 ½” deep. If you are installing Tuff Cable, the grooves will be ¼” wide and 1” deep. You should also make saw cuts for the cold leads to return to your control unit or relay panel. To avoid damaging the cables, a hammer drill should be used to knock out the corners of your grooves. Cutting concrete and asphalt makes a big mess. You will want to power wash the area, taking care to remove debris from the grooves and surrounding area. The area should then be allowed to dry completely before installing the cables.

Installing the Cables

The Hott-Wire or Tuff Cable can now be installed in the grooves. The cable is installed along the bottom of the grooves in the pattern you previously designed. Once the cables are in place, a foam backer rod is installed over the cable and then the saw cuts are filled with the appropriate sealant for your project.

Finishing Touches

With the cable installed, an electrician can make the final connections to the control unit or relay panel. Activation devices will need to be installed and connected to the system. Throughout the installation remember to follow the testing procedures outlined in the installation manual. This ensures the cable is properly functioning and not damaged during installation. The results of these tests should be recorded in the manual that came with your system.

Heated Driveway Options: Solution Focused Design

Snow Melting
Jan 15, 2020 2:17 am
Written by Kyle Stubbs
Considering adding a snow melting system to your home or business? At Warmquest we specialize in assisting customers with tailor-made heated driveway solutions. Part of this is thinking outside of the box. Heated driveways come in all shapes and sizes. What works for one home or business may not work for another. Warmquest can help you look at your goals and usage, and design a heating system perfect for your project. When installing a snow melting system the first thing to remember is you do not have to heat the whole area. Many times heating the entire area will be the goal and this is fine, but often entire areas go unused during the winter. Many project owners make the choice to add snow melting with a specific goal in mind. This could be providing access up and down a steep incline, ensuring safe access to foot traffic at a home or business, or clearing parking areas for visitors. Warmquest can help stakeholders identify the goals of a project and design a system to meet them most effectively and efficiently.

A pair of heated tire tracks was sufficient to provide access to this home up the steep driveway.

 

This homeowner needed traction up a steep slope and access to multiple car port stalls.

Heated Driveway Path

Access was provided on this large driveway by installing heat on a 8′ wide path which widens at the top.

For this home, pedestrian access to the front door was the chief concern.

 

Similarly, this homeowner wanted year round access to their hot tub. Note that the entire sidewalk and patio are not heated. Just the path.

 

This homeowner heated only the more commonly used section of their driveway. They paired this with a heated front walk and steps to provide themselves and their guests with easy access to the home.

Heated Gate Access

This Automated Gate requires a clear area in order to operate correctly. With the addition of a snow melting system, ice and snow no longer build up and block access.

Businesses too can benefit from a carefully planned snow melting system. Many offices heat critical access areas. Commercial buildings can benefit from heated loading docks, ADA ramps and other areas. This project wanted to provide employees access to the building from their vehicles. Paths were heated between parking stalls leading to a heated path to the entrance.

 

The important thing to remember with any snow melting system is that it can be as unique as your home or business. Each project has different goals and requirements and Warmquest specializes in these tailor made solutions. One size fits all may sound convenient, but customized solutions will be more effective and efficient in the long run.

Designing GutterMelt Systems

Roof Deicing
May 31, 2019 12:05 pm
Written by Kyle Stubbs

When planning a Heat Tracing system for your home or business, it is important to consider all of the factors to ensure you purchase the correct quality and quantity of components. Let’s take a look at the information and decisions needed to design a GutterMelt self regulating roof deicing system.

First, the cable selection must be made. Warmquest carries GutterMelt in both 120 and 240/208/277 volt options, the appropriate voltage for your project should be selected. Generally 240V power allows for longer lengths of cable to be installed per circuit.

In addition to voltage, the heating output should be considered. GutterMelt is a self regulating cable, meaning the heat output adjusts based on ambient air temperature. Warmquest offers 2 different heating outputs, both measured in the watts per foot generated at 32 degrees Fahrenheit in water. Our 9W cable is suitable for many residential installations, while the 12W is a great fit for colder climates and commercial projects.

Once you have selected a cable, a decision on how it will be powered should be made. While a hard wired connection may be tidier, many homeowners may opt to have a plug installed at the end of the cable for ease of use and installation. If a plug is selected, the outlet and plug need to match the voltage of cable used. Ground Fault protection will be required, this can be integrated into the plug assembly or provided at the circuit to meet code requirements.

To plan the appropriate amount of heat tape, the locations for installation will need to be selected and measured. Gutters and downspouts are easily measured for lengths, when installing in downspouts consideration should be made as to whether the cable will use a “T Kit” to send a single cable down the spout or if a loop down the spout back up to the gutter will be made. This will determine the number of T Kits and Downspout Brackets needed.

Eaves and valleys are commonly heated as well. When planning for these spaces, Warmquest recommends the cables be extended up the roof beyond the interior wall. With the length of the space and the height up the roof our team can calculate the cable needed for effective coverage. This will also take into account the spacing between the zig zag pattern of cable which typically runs from 18”-24”.

Once the lengths needed are determined, our team can design the system and identify the correct number and size of circuits for the project. This will determine what other components are needed for connections. GutterMelt can be activated in several ways. We’ve already discussed plugs, but there are dozens of switches and sensors that can operate the heat tracing cable based on temperature, snowfall, and other factors. Warmquest’s experts can help you identify the best options for your project based on usage and the icing issues being addressed.

Lastly, the system will need to be attached to the roof. Based on your roofing material (asphalt shingles, metal, etc), your Warmquest salesperson can identify the most suitable selection of clips or adhesives for anchoring the system to the roof.

Contact us today for a complimentary quote and learn more about how GutterMelt can help you manage ice dams and other winter woes.

Ice Dam Solutions

Roof Deicing
Feb 26, 2019 4:40 pm
Written by Kyle Stubbs

Roofs are important, they keep your home or business warm and dry. At least they should, but sometimes your roof may not shed water and snow effectively, this can lead to ice and snow buildup that creates icicles and ice dams. If left unchecked, these issues can compromise your roof and lead to water damage inside the building.

So how do you prevent Ice Dams? Let’s take a look.

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