Anti-icing and snowmelt system of the roof and roof - photos

Most of the territory of Russia is located in an area with a cold and temperate climate, so snow or frost appearing on the roofs surface in the winter period becomes a problem for every homeowner. The snow mass, icicles and ice crust increase the load on the roof frame, in the process of snowmelt they cause damage to the roof covering, causing a danger of falling. To solve all these problems at once, you can regularly clearing the roof of the snow manually, which is not easy to do in heavy snow. A simpler, but less labor-intensive way out is a modern anti-icing roofing system, the installation of which does not require large investments, but will pay for itself in 1-2 seasons of operation.

What is anti-icing system?

The anti-icing system is a complex of devices and devices that is installed on the surface of roofs and drainage elements in order to prevent icicles, ice crust or icing of gutters. De-icing devices have a fairly simple principle of operation, by means of a heating cable running along the ramp and gutters, they heat the roof surface, stimulating the process of snowmelt. The anti-icing system performs the following functions:

• Prevent icicles from appearing. Icicles on the overhangs of roofs are formed during an abrupt change of weather from thaw to frosts. The thermocable, while lowering the temperature, prevents the water from freezing, heating it and keeping it in a liquid state so that it leaves the roof surface through a drainpipe system.
• Preventing accumulation of snow caps on the surface of the roof. In winter, a sufficiently large amount of snow accumulates on the roof, the slope of which is less than 45 degrees, due to which the load on the rafter frame increases. Thanks to the forced snow melting devices consisting of heating cables, the snow gradually heats up, so the need to clear the sediment roof is rare.

Note! Although experienced craftsmen argue that the forced snow melting system should be installed on roofs with any type of coating, especially the formation of ice crust and icicles of metal roofs and drainage elements, as the metal has a high thermal conductivity.

Impact of ice on roofing material and roof

If the roof slope is less than 45 degrees, then in winter a snow cap forms on it, the weight can reach up to 100 kg / m2. The greatest snow load falls on structures with slopes of 30 degrees. So that the rafters do not deform under the weight of snow, it is necessary to constantly clear roofs of snow and icicles. Without anti-icing system, accumulation of snow masses leads to the following negative consequences:

1. Damage to roofing material. During the snowmelt process, the ice crust, which is formed due to the snow flooding with heat coming from the heated house through the roof surfaces, will scratch the roofing material. Subsequently, scratches become hot spots for the spread of corrosion.
2. Deformation of the drainage system. If after a thaw during freezing snow melting comes, the water that collects in the roof gutters freezes, leading to ruptures and deformation of the elements of the drainage system.
3. Spontaneous gathering of snow or icicles collapse. Without the de-icing system, snow melting and icicles can be discharged spontaneously with danger to people passing by.

Important! The calculation of the required length of the thermal cable is performed based on the area of ​​the slope, the roofing material used and the climatic conditions in the construction region.

Component systems

The anti-icing system relates to complex electrical equipment, so its calculation, installation and connection must be performed by professional masters. Since the heating cables on the roof are in constant contact with water, in order to avoid short circuits, it must have reliable insulation and hydro protection. The standard installation kit includes:

• Control module. These are the “brains” of the device, which are responsible for turning on and off the system of forced snow melting, temperature control.
• Heating cables. Thermocables are laid in loops or zigzags along the overhangs, valleys and gutters where the snow is most actively accumulated on the roof surfaces.
• Power cables. The power cables are responsible for the supply of electricity to the heating cables from which the system is powered.
• Distribution boxes.
• Fasteners. With the help of fasteners is fixed heat cable on the surface of the roof.

Consider that for the equipment of the anti-icing system resistive or self-regulating cable is used. The self-regulating cable is supplied with a plastic matrix, which emits heat and reacts to the ambient temperature. The warmer on the street, the less it heats up, and, consequently, consumes less electricity.

Types of management

Experienced craftsmen claim that installing the forced snow melting system quickly pays for itself and saves significant amounts after 1-2 years of operation. The cost of the kit depends primarily on the type of cable, since devices with resistive heat cables cost much less. The amount of savings also depends on the type of system management:

1. Manual control is cheaper than automatic, but its drawback is the inability to quickly respond to changes in ambient temperature. That is, when using manual control, part of the heat and electricity is always wasted.
2. Automatic control responds immediately to changes in ambient temperature. It is supplied with sensors that record the temperature of the roof surface, the presence of water and snow, and, based on these data, the control module regulates the temperature of the cable in order to minimize energy costs.

Skilled craftsmen advise using self-regulating cables for heating roof gutters, as they do not need heating all the time. Shaded areas of the roof are better heated with cheaper resistive heating elements.

Video instruction