When colds come, homeowners face the problem of freezing inside gutters. If this is not solved, then large icicles or freezing lumps of snow tearing off the roof may appear, which will prevent further water from entering the drain. Experts advise a heating cable for drains as an option to solve the problem.
Roof heating
There are two types of roofing systems, cold and warm, each of these types has its own advantages. The first option includes a thermally insulated roof, on which good ventilation is installed. Such roofs are used for non-residential attic spaces. They do not let heat out, so the snow cover on them does not melt at low temperatures due to the free passage of air flows on the surface and inside. For such structures, it is good to install special heaters.
The optimal performance, which the masters advise you to pay attention to, starts with 30 watts and ends with 70 watts per meter. A heating cable for gutters of this type can be bought at a regular hardware store. As for heating on a warm roof, it is better to equip the edges of the roof, since it is there that the remnants of snow accumulate and turn into icicles.
Along the edge of the roof, the craftsmen install heating sections that look like loops up to half a meter wide. In the process, attention is paid to the roofing material and cable density. The system is installed in the same way as the cold roof option.
Constituent elements
A system with a heating cable can consist of several elements, and only of the main ones that perform the necessary functions. The first option includes additional parts that regulate power, automatic on and off, and compliance with the temperature regime. As for the second option, here you will need to turn on and adjust the power yourself.
Together, the block, threads and fasteners make up the whole system of a heating cable for gutters, thanks to which it is possible to ensure the melting of water in the winter.
Cable selection
Masters advise making a choice between two types of devices - this is a self-regulating and resistive cable. If we talk about practicality and durability, then both options can be very high quality, if you correctly install the entire system and monitor the process of its operation. No matter how automated the chosen alternative, it requires human intervention and constant monitoring of the temperature regime.
This will protect against overheating and allow the system to perform its work efficiently. When choosing a heating cable for heating the roof and gutters, you should not pay attention only to price indicators, you need to take into account technical specifications and power level.
Resistive cable
The principle of operation of the mechanism is quite simple. Inside the cable there is a thread with high resistance indicators, which, when electricity is supplied, starts to warm up and give off heat to the environment. A system with such a cable is easy to operate and does not cost much.
The advantages include low cost and constant high power. In the process of adjusting the heating, special thermostats or other devices that are installed with the cable are used. The effectiveness and efficiency of the system depends on the correct installation. Gutter heating with a heating cable should occur zonally, that is, using a nichrome heating filament.
Self-adjusting option
Inside the cable are two heating threads made of metal, around which there is a special matrix board. It sets up the cable, controls its temperature and transmits data from the environment. Thanks to the board, the heating process is carried out. The higher the temperature outside, the less the cable heats up. This approach provides significant savings during the operation of the system.
The advantages also include the ability to cut the wire, thanks to this you can install parts of it in different places, even twist the elements, they will still work in the right mode. Installing a heating cable for a drainage system of this type is not difficult, because it looks quite simple. As for the shortcomings, this is the price. The cost of this type of cable is several times higher than the standard.
System calculation
When calculating the system, it is necessary to take into account not only the parameters, climatic features, but also the type of roof. Masters advise choosing a power of at least 25 and 30 watts per meter for heating the cable. The required power is already evaluated in the active mode, that is, during the testing process.
Almost all systems have the ability to increase or decrease the temperature inside the cable, so you can build and select the optimal cable mode for good operation. To calculate, you need to contact the master.
As a result, you can get the desired power of electric heating, which will be used in active mode. Although such calculations are approximate, they are often most often used to purchase a system. The self-regulating heating cable for the drain, as well as the standard version, will be effective if you buy a sufficient length for high-quality heating.
Cable management
Although the system itself is simple, it needs to be laid where a lot of snow is collected and then ice forms. For each square when installing the cable on the roof surface, there should be 250-300 watts of power. It will be effective to lay on the edge of the roof, you need to do this in the form of a winding strip. The estimated mounting length is from 30 to 45 cm, on hard roofs you can make snakes more authentic.
The cable is also mounted inside the gutters, here you can lay two threads, there will be enough power, but you need to take into account the diameter. If it is large, then you can add a third for effective warming. Also, attention should be paid to the outlets of the pipes and funnels, since additional heating may be required here.
Arrangement technology
For starters, sections of the future system are marked. For this, couplings are used and places where there should be no sharp protrusions and corners are taken into account. Next, the heating cable is mounted using a special mounting tape, which is fixed across the wire.
The tape must be strong enough to withstand good tension. To fix the self-regulating heating cable for the drain, it is necessary to conduct the tape every 25 cm. Each strip of the tape must be additionally fixed and processed with sealing material. To fix during the installation of the heating cable for gutters, a special tube is used. For parts whose length is quite large, a volumetric metal cable is used. A cable is attached to it.
As for the installation of mounting boxes and sensors, the place for them should be protected from moisture. Each sensor is a small device with a wire, the length of which can be adjusted. Next, automatic elements are mounted in the shield area, which should be located near the installation site. Thanks to proper installation, a self-regulating heating cable for roofs and gutters can last a rather long period of time.