Heating system of roof drains - device and installation

The territory of Russia is mostly located in areas with a harsh climate, where the winter with long frosts lasts almost 9 months, and in summer there are often heavy rain. Such weather conditions are a hard test for the construction of the roof, because the accumulated snow masses overload the roof frame, damage the roofing material. With such temperature drops, even a modern coating quickly wears out, is damaged by ice, and then falls into disrepair earlier than the period specified by the manufacturer. To make the roof serve longer, experienced builders do the heating of the roof and gutters.

Device

Heated gutter is an anti-icing system that protects the roof from the formation of ice crust, damaging the coating, accumulation of a snow cap of a large mass. Installation of the device with such functions is a prerequisite for efficient operation of warm roofs. It consists of the following structural elements:

1. Cable. The anti-icing system mainly consists of heating cables. They are laid along the gutters, risers and pipes, along the entire length of the eaves, around the water intake funnels. The heating cable is in a three-layer sheath, which allows installation in all weather conditions. The price of these elements depends on the number of protective layers and the type of equipment.
2. Sensors. This term refers to devices that control external conditions. The temperature sensor records the ambient temperature, the water and precipitation sensor detects the presence or absence of rain. Focusing on the readings of the sensors, the anti-icing system decides to what temperature and in what places to heat the cable. Choosing a mode of operation, it optimizes the power consumption.
3. Controller. This device is installed inside the house, usually near an electrical panel, it regulates the temperature at which the cable heats up. The price of de-icing self-adjusting equipment with a controller is higher than manually adjustable.
4. Distribution boxes. In the distribution boxes, the heating cable is connected to the power cable from which electricity is coming. They must be sealed, as the installation is carried out on the roof, where there is no protection from precipitation.
5. Safety automatics. Safety relay, which makes installation and operation of equipment safe for humans. When a voltage surge or short circuit occurs, the relay is activated, and the anti-icing system is turned off to prevent electric shocks.

Note! Heating gutters - a prerequisite for long-term use of the roof, under which is heated attic. The installation of anti-icing equipment is labor-intensive and expensive, the price of work is the cost of materials and fasteners, as well as the hiring of professional craftsmen. You can save money by purchasing the simplest equipment without sensors.

Heating elements

The anti-icing system operates by heating elements, called cables. They are laid in loops along the eaves, gutters and funnels. Each cable consists of two insulated conductors, an infrared filament, an inner polymer sheath, a braid and an outer sheath. An alloy of nickel and chromium is used as a conductor, through which an eclectic current passes. During operation, the cable heats up and melts ice or snow lying on the surface of the roof. The most common installation of heaters of the following types:

• Resistive cable. The principle of operation of this device is simple - when current is applied to a metal conductor, the temperature rises due to internal resistance. The price of a resistive cable is lower than self-regulating, since it is not amenable to regulation and delivers the same power. Installation of this type of anti-icing system leaves no room for savings.
• Self-regulating cable. This term is called "smart" heating element, which adapts to environmental conditions, focusing on the performance of sensors. The work of the self-regulating cable is affected by the temperature, the presence of precipitation and water in the drainage system. In different parts of the roof, an individual temperature is established using a cable to maintain the functioning of the drainage system. Such equipment is more expensive, however, it uses energy efficiently and does not require adjustment.

Important! The life of the self-regulating cable is less than the resistance cable, despite the higher cost. It is a special heating matrix, due to which the temperature is regulated, it wears out and requires replacement faster.

Heating functions

At first glance, it may seem that the installation of a heating system for a drain and roof is an unnecessary overkill, since for centuries the inhabitants of the northern regions did without it. But before most of the roofs were cold, under them was located unheated attic, which is a natural insulation. Modern roof structures are of a warm type, because under them are heated attic, which heat the roof surface from the inside and heat the snow cap. Heating the waterway in this case performs the following functions:

1. It protects the roof overhang from the formation of icicles, which are a direct threat to the lives of passersby, increase the load on the eaves, leading to the collapse of the structure.
2. It prevents the formation of ice on the roof surface, increasing the life of the roofing material. The ice crust, slipping from the slope, leaves scratches on the coating, especially dangerous for metal-based roofing materials.
3. Increases drainage efficiency. The heating cable heats snow and ice around gutters and funnels, turning it into water that enters the storm sewer. With the accumulation of snow mass on the roof surface increases the load from which the external drain can suffer.
4. Reduces the risk of rupture and deformation of drainpipes. Plastic gutter can burst when exposed to low temperatures, so it needs heating. And the internal drain, welded from steel without compensatory elements, is deformed without anti-icing system.

Note! Heating the elements of the drain with heat cables will not solve the problem of icicles and frost formation, if the heating of the roof is not foreseen, as the power of the heaters is simply not enough to melt them. A well-designed anti-icing system will eliminate these unpleasant phenomena by transferring precipitation from solid to liquid, and then transporting it to storm sewers.

Video instruction