Snow Melt installation under asphalt driveway
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Efficient Snow Melting Systems Under Asphalt
The onset of winter brings the menace of snow accumulation on driveways. This video tutorial offers an efficient solution to this problem - installing a snow melting system under asphalt.
- Introduction to the project, focusing on the importance of utility location and excavation preparation.
- Detailed steps on how to lay a gravel and binder coat foundation, followed by the strategic placement and installation of heating cables.
- Instructions on creating a clean, straight edge around the perimeter before paving.
- A walk-through of the electrical setup inside the house, including controller installation and power supply routing.
- Discussion on the importance of an accessible junction box and options for its placement.
- A showcase of the finished driveway with an invisible electric heating system beneath it.
This video tutorial is valuable for both homeowners looking to secure their driveways for winter and professionals seeking to expand their expertise in snow melting systems. It ensures a safe, efficient, and long-lasting solution to snow accumulation.
Welcome to our snow melting under asphalt video. As you can see, a few leaves are falling, and as they say on TV, winter is coming. We need to get this system ready to go. In this project, we will be installing tire tracks in the area in front of me and the area behind me. Right here, we have our electrical connection spot where we will be placing a junction box. This setup will make it easier for the homeowner to create a roundabout area prepared with snow melting under an asphalt surface.
When planning any excavation, it is crucial to call and ensure that you locate your electrical, gas, sewage, and other utilities. You can see that both the gas and electricity lines have been marked, so we know to avoid these areas during our work. We have excavated the dirt and compacted it using a steamroller. The next step involves adding about six inches of compacted gravel, which will be dumped in, spread out, and then compacted down. After this layer, we will apply a two-inch binder coat, lay the heating cables over that, and finally, put a two-inch top coat on.
Now that we have the second layer of gravel in and compacted, we are focusing on beautifying the edges by removing excess dirt. This ensures that when the paver arrives, the machine won’t be hindered by anything along the edges. Additionally, instead of leaving a rough edge around the perimeter, we will saw-cut a nice, straight edge. With the binder coat down, we will roll out the heating cables and stake them in place to keep them tight. It is essential never to run a paving machine over the top of the cables. As we shovel asphalt over the cables, I will be pulling them to maintain tension until we reach the next set of wires.
At this point, we have measured the distances for the tire track coverage to ensure everything is correctly aligned. We have four mats ready to go, with four pieces of conduit going in for each mat, as well as a conduit for the low voltage temperature sensor. After paving the job, what remains is this junction box, where the mats will connect to the power supply from the house. This box can often be hidden or placed in the ground, and some homeowners prefer to install them in decorative walls. However, it is crucial to ensure that the junction box is accessible for maintenance, as it cannot be completely sealed off.
Now, we are inside the house, where the electrical components come into play. We have installed a new controller on the wall, which is connected to the wires running out to the driveway. Currently, we are working on supplying power to these wires. Additionally, we have set up a supply circuit that powers the controller itself. This setup sends power to the junction box to keep it operational and lit, while also routing power from the circuit breakers to the relays in the controller, which then directs it to the heating coils to melt the snow.
Here we are with a completed driveway, and there is no visible indication of the electric heating system beneath the surface, except for the junction box. If you would like to learn more about heating your driveway with electric heating products, please visit us at www.warmlyyours.com. Thank you for watching.
