Installation Tips for Snow Melt Systems: Stairs & Walkways

Hello and welcome to our webinar for August. We'd like to thank you for coming along today. My name is Scott, and I'm from WarmlyYours, and we have with us today... I'm Natalie with WarmlyYours as well. What a coincidence! Thank you for joining us today. If you have any questions during the session, feel free to click on the "Ask a Question" button at the bottom of the screen, and we will be glad to address your inquiries. We have received a couple of questions in advance from some attendees, so we will cover those as well.

Today, we will be discussing the technology behind snow melting systems, providing a project example for a walkway, and detailing the installation process for both walkways and stairs. We will also cover controls, wiring, and how everything comes together to create a functional snow melting system. So, Anatoly, can you tell us about our snow melting systems?

Yes, our snow melting systems are generally compatible with all typical outdoor surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, and mortar, which can be installed in sand under pavers. The best way to install these systems is during the construction of a new area. However, we also offer products and design capabilities for retrofit applications on existing concrete or asphalt surfaces. These systems are ideal for ramps, walkways, stairs, and driveways—essentially any area where you want to ensure snow does not accumulate during winter.

To get started with the order process, if you have a simple square or rectangular area, just providing the length and width will usually suffice. For slightly more complex areas, a simple sketch with accurate dimensions will work as well. There’s no need for a high-tech blueprint; as long as we have the right dimensions, our design team will create a layout using CAD software. This will result in an easy-to-follow layout plan, whether for a mat product or a cable product, along with an itemized quote and an electrical plan for your electrician to follow.

The main takeaway is to send us a simple plan, and we will handle the rest. Especially if this is your first snow melting installation, you don’t need to worry about calculating square footage, determining the number of breakers needed, or figuring out how many cables to use. Just send us a sketch of the area, and our professional engineers, who work on these designs every day, will prepare a plan that saves you time and effort.

Now, let’s delve into electric snowmelt technology. Electric snowmelt technology is quite straightforward. It involves electric heating cables that have a specific resistance. When electricity is applied, the cables heat up. This technology is similar to that of electric floor heating, but since we are melting snow outdoors, the systems require more power. Therefore, we use higher power levels compared to those used for floor heating.

In essence, you have either evenly spaced cables or mats that are available in two-foot or three-foot wide sections. These are embedded in concrete or sand under pavers. When electricity is applied, the resistive heating elements heat up, and the heat is conducted into the surface to melt the snow. While this may sound simple, it truly is that straightforward. It’s like floor heating on steroids; you’re applying the same principle outdoors but on a larger scale.

An important aspect of electric heating is having the correct control systems in place. The controls ensure that not only is the snow melted, but it is also evaporated, leaving a dry surface behind. This prevents issues like black ice or embedded ice and snow in the grout lines of pavers, which can be difficult to remove. Additionally, electric snow melting is generally more efficient than hydronic systems because, with hydronic systems, hot water begins to cool off as it travels from the boiler to the outdoor area. In contrast, electric heat maintains a consistent temperature throughout the entire length of the installation.

When considering your installation, it’s essential to check your breaker box for available space. If your breaker box is full, you may not be able to install electric snow melting unless you upgrade your service. So, the first step is to assess whether you have room in your breaker panel for additional breakers.

Next, let’s discuss the available snow melt systems and their specifications. We offer products in 120, 240, 208, and 277 volts. The 208 and 277 volt systems are available only in cables, while the 120 and 240 volt systems can be found in both mats and cables. The snowmelt cable comes in a spool, allowing you to follow the layout plan and secure it with plastic zip ties for coverage. We also have snow melting mats available in two-foot and three-foot wide versions, along with various lengths.

Each order will come with a customized installation plan that includes the proper layout, electrical details, specifications, breakers needed, and total amperage. The three-foot to three-inch spacing provides around 50 watts per square foot. With the cable, you can adjust the spacing to three inches, three and a half, or four inches. While tighter spacing offers more heat, wider spacing can reduce power needs and costs, especially in warmer climates where heavy snow is less common.

One of the standout features of our products is the color-coded leads, which help ensure that the correct product is installed. Different colors indicate different voltages, reducing the risk of electrical errors during installation.

Now, let’s take a look at the concept of full coverage versus tire track coverage for snow melting systems. Full coverage means that the entire area, such as a driveway, is heated, ensuring that almost every square foot is equipped with the system. Tire track coverage, on the other hand, involves heating only two-foot or three-foot wide tracks for vehicles, leaving the surrounding areas to accumulate snow. This option is often more cost-effective and can help reduce the total amperage required for the system.

In many cases, customers initially express a desire for full coverage, only to realize that their electrical service may not support such a high demand. By switching to tire track coverage, they can still achieve safe access without needing to upgrade their electrical service, which can be costly. Additionally, hybrid options are available, allowing for full coverage in critical areas, such as in front of a garage, while using tire tracks for the remainder of the driveway.

Now, let’s discuss the installation process. In a typical concrete setup, the heating cable is suspended within the concrete slab. Starting from the base, which may consist of compacted gravel, the rebar or metal frame should be positioned about two to three inches from the surface. The heating cable is then tied to this frame using plastic zip ties, ensuring it remains in the middle of the concrete pour. This positioning is crucial for effective heat radiation and transfer.

It’s important to comply with the National Electric Code, which requires that the heating cable or mesh be at least one and a half inches below the surface. This ensures safety and compliance during installation. When using mesh, it’s essential to use sub-three-quarter-inch aggregate to allow the concrete to flow through properly and avoid issues during the pour.

Before installation, testing is critical to ensure everything is functioning correctly. This involves using a digital multimeter for standard testing and a mega ohm meter to check insulation resistance. The mega ohm meter sends a 500-volt signal to test insulation, making it more sensitive to potential issues than a standard ohmmeter.

Moving on to the installation of a walkway, once you provide us with a drawing, we will create a SmartPlan. This plan includes not only the cable layout but also essential information such as the start point, spacing, part numbers, total amperage, resistance, and cable length.

One common question we receive is about GfEP breakers, which are required by the National Electric Code. These breakers provide ground fault protection for equipment and are necessary for outdoor installations. Unlike regular GFI breakers, GfEP breakers trip at 30 milliamps, making them suitable for outdoor use.

When it comes to surface materials, there are two installation methods: one-stage pours and two-stage pours. A one-stage pour involves securing the heating system and pouring the entire concrete thickness in one go. A two-stage pour allows for an initial layer of concrete, followed by the installation of the heating system and a second layer of concrete.

In terms of foundation support for the heating system, various materials can be used to maintain an even height throughout the surface. It’s crucial to have your electrician on-site to install conduit that will protect the cold leads running into the junction box.

As we proceed with the installation, it’s essential to ensure that the heating system does not cross expansion joints, as this could lead to damage over time. Proper planning and communication with your professional installer will help avoid these issues.

When installing heating cables on stairs, flexibility is key. Cables allow for precise positioning and spacing, which is crucial for achieving uniform heating. The layout should account for any obstructions, such as posts or railings, to ensure that the cables are installed correctly.

In summary, the installation of snow melting systems involves careful planning, accurate measurements, and adherence to electrical codes. By following these guidelines and utilizing our resources, you can ensure a successful installation.

As we wrap up, let’s address some common questions we’ve received. One question is about how snow melting systems work with concrete pavers. It’s important to ensure that the pavers are no thicker than two and a half inches, with an adequate mortar bed beneath them to protect the heating cable.

Another common question pertains to melting duration time after the system is turned on. Typically, if the sensor is positioned correctly, the system will begin melting snow within 15 to 20 minutes of activation, depending on the snow event and other factors.

Thank you for joining us today. We hope to see you at our next webinar, which will cover everything you need to know about heating concrete floors. We also offer daily training sessions, and this month we have a promotion on our Environ EZ Mats. If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, please feel free to reach out to us.

You can contact us at 800-875-5285 or visit our website at WarmlyYours.com. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you next time. Stay warm and be radiant!