Snow Melting for Heated Walkways & Path


Follow our detailed guide and learn how to install a snow melting system for walkways and paths for efficient heating.


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What is Snow Melting?

Have you ever seen snow fall on an already warm car? It melts instantly. This is the essential idea behind snow melting systems—a heating element is embedded in your driveway (or patio, walkway, etc.) and it melts the snow that falls on it.

Like any outdoor surface, walkways or pathways can benefit from installing a WarmlyYours snow melting system (available in both heating mats and cables). Designed to install directly in concrete, asphalt, or in mortar beneath pavers, our cable snow melting systems ensure that driveways, patios, walkways, ramps, or stairs stay ice and snow free, allowing for safe passage.

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Start Smart with a Free SmartPlan

Perhaps the most important stage in installing a snow melting system is getting a good installation plan.

WarmlyYours provides a free, no-obligation SmartPlan that includes an installation plan, an electrical plan, and an itemized quote, all of which is prepared by a highly skilled team of engineers.

All you have to do to take advantage of this service is to provide WarmlyYours with a sketch of the project that includes dimensions and other relevant information, like where power will be most readily accessible.

Within typically one day of providing this information, you'll receive your free SmartPlan. The itemized quote included in your SmartPlan will also include MSRP pricing so that you can properly budget for your project.

Request a Free SmartPlan

When to Install a Snow Melting System in a Walkway

Because the snow melting system is embedded within the surface itself, the best time to install a snow melting system is when a walkway or path is either being created for the first time, redone, or expanded.

These kinds of projects are typically undertaken from late spring to late fall. This is because it’s important that the ground temperature is above the freezing point.

The example pictured is of a walkway improvement that will double as an accessibility ramp. This walkway, with a very gradual slope, is leading to a detached garage behind the house for wheelchair accessible van, however, the installation process would be very similar for comparable projects like a front walkway. This project is using electric snow melting cables embedded in sand beneath pavers.

By adding the snow melting system, the customer is sure to have a clean path to the garage without having to rely on a snow removal service. Because this snow melting system is electric, it can easily be expanded in the future if these homeowners decide to add to the square footage of the walkway.

Snow Melt Walkway After
Snow Melt Walkway Before

Installing the Snow Melting System

The thinness of an electrical snow melting system means it has a minimal impact on the overall depth of the walkway or ramp. These snow melting systems can be used not only with concrete, but also with a variety of different surface types, like pavers and asphalt.

Each surface type will have a different cross section with suggested depths.

Step 1. Laying Down a Rebar Frame or Wire Mesh

Laying Down a Rebar Frame or Wire Mesh

For snow melting cables, like the ones used in the projects featured in this guide, it’s important to include a rigid framework for the heating elements to attach to. This ensures the heating system will maintain the proper spacing and depth in the finished project to function properly.

Often, installers will use a rebar frame or wire mesh that is secured so that it lies flat. Then the cables can be attached to the framework with zip-ties.

Step 2. Start Laying Out Snow Melting Cables

If you want optimal results from a snow melting system, maintaining the proper spacing of the heating elements is key. The heating cable or mats should be attached to the framework using ties to maintain proper depth and spacing, 3” (76mm) for free-form type cable.

Snow melting mats already have the desired 3” spacing built into them, but care should be taken to make sure parallel runs of snow melting mats are still spaced so that cables are 3” apart.

Reference the WarmlyYours custom SmartPlan installation plan, provided free with every quote, so that this process goes smoothly.

Step 3. Preparation for Handrails (if Applicable)

Preparation for Handrails(if Applicable)

For installations in stairs, ramps and walkways that will include handrails, it is strongly recommended that the installer put in pre-sleeves for the posts to avoid as much drilling of the surface as possible.

The heating cable must be routed around these sleeves or posts to avoid any direct contact with them. It is the responsibility of the electrician and the installer to coordinate their efforts so they avoid saw-cutting or drilling through heating cables that are no longer visible beneath the surface.

Note: Avoid allowing the heating cable, or metal framework, from making direct contact with the posts or any other metal fixtures.

Step 4. Installing the Surface for the Heated Walkway

Pouring Concrete for a Heated Pathway

Pouring Concrete for a Heated Pathway

Concrete or cement installs can be done in two different ways: 1-stage pours or 2-stage pours.

For 2-stage pours, the installer will pour an initial base layer of concrete and then, while the first layer is still wet, lay the framework (with attached heating element) on top. Then, the second 2-3” layer of concrete can be applied

For 1-stage pours, the framework (with attached heating element) must be propped up so that the heating element will be 2-3” below the finished surface. Once that is done, the concrete can be poured on, around, and over the framework.

See the WarmlyYours snow melting installation manual for more info.


Installing Pavers for the Walkway

Installing Pavers for the Walkway

Care must be taken by the paver installer so the mortar (or other medium) covers the heating element so that no direct contact with the pavers is made.

We recommend that at least 1” (25mm) thick mortar is poured over the heating element, but no more than 1.5” (38mm). If using sand or limestone screenings, cover to an uncompacted depth of 1.5” (38mm), leveled to grade. Avoid dropping pavers into place, as doing so may damage the heating element.

Brick or stone pavers must NOT be any thicker than 2.5” (63.5mm).

Please note that snow melting mat pictured will be completely covered before the pavers are finally placed.

Step 5. Making Sure the Manufacturer’s Splice is Embedded in Concrete, Mortar, or Sand

Making Sure the Manufacturer’s Splice is Embedded in Concrete, Mortar, or Sand

The power is carried to each cable by a “cold lead,” which is connected to the heating cable via a manufacturer’s splice.

One of the most common snow melting installation mistakes that people make is leaving this splice, and some of the heating cable, outside of the concrete or sand (sometimes people leave it in the conduit or simply leave it exposed). This can cause the splice, which is half heating element, to overheat and fail.

By simply making sure that the splice is embedded, you’ll ensure that it has an appropriate medium (like concrete, sand, or stone dust) to prevent overheating.


A Finished Walkway (Pavers)

Once the stairs are completed, they are ready to be used. Just add snow!

Make sure to monitor your system and control throughout the first couple of snowfalls to see if any adjustments are required.


The Control for Your Snow Melting System

WarmlyYours offers a wide variety of controls for our snow melting systems - from a manual option with a timer that will only activate when you turn it on/off, to an automatic option that will turn on when it senses snow is falling.

These controls (excluding the manual and WiFi options) are able to function with the use of sensors. There are two main types of sensors: slab and aerial. Slab sensors are installed along with the heating element (but never touching it) and they can measure the conditions at the surface (slab sensors are not recommended for use with pavers). Aerial sensors are installed in the open and are actually able to detect whether or not it’s snowing.

For more information about the variety of snow melt controls and sensors available from WarmlyYours, check out this comparison chart.

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Snow Melting System in Action

Most WarmlyYours snow melting systems will continue to run past when the snow stops falling. This will typically evaporate the water left behind, and in its place, you’ll find clean, dry pavers or concrete. Snow melting systems like this allow you to do away with chemical melting agents, which will be easier on your pets and your vehicles. It will also be much easier on your body when you can officially retire the snow shovel.

showing a snow melting system in "tire tracks" format melting snow in a residential driveway. Typically, a snow melting system would be installed in a walkway to provide full coverage.

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Compare Snow Melting System Costs

Heated Paver Walkway

Size 214 sq. ft.
Coverage Full Coverage

Snow Melting Cables (2)

Value Snow Melt Control

Relay Panel Small

Snow Melt Plaque
Total
$3,306
$0.80 1 Hour
240 VAC
10,016 Watts
41.8 Amps

Heated Concrete Walkway

Size 437 sq. ft.
Coverage Full Coverage

Economy Snow Melt Control

Economy Snow Melt Control

Relay Panel Large

Snow Melt Plaque
Total
$6,600
$1.64 1 Hour
240 VAC
20,524 Watts
85.53 Amps

*All pricing information is MSRP and is subject to change. Operating cost calculation is based on the national average of $0.18 per kWh, but consumption may vary based on individual conditions.