All posts by Jordan Ricks

HOTNEWS

Automated, Maintenance-free Snow Melting Systems

Custom Heated Driveways, Sidewalks and more

Warmzone has been designing snow melting systems for a wide variety of applications for almost two decades. From commercial parking structures and residential driveways to sidewalks, steps and even runaway truck ramps, we’ve provided a radiant heat solution for just about every application imaginable.

Warmzone customers choose to install snow melting systems for several reasons. Some are for commercial applications and are installed to eliminate the need for manual snow removal as well as to enhance safety for patrons. Being fully automated, radiant snow melting systems provide reliable snow removal, regardless of the hour. This way, customers are assured of having clear walkways to and from the business.

Some clients are unable to manually shovel the snow due to physical/medical limitations. Others need to heat their driveway because it is on a steep incline. Doctors and emergency response personnel need to be able to exit driveways quickly, regardless of the weather, and radiant heat has proven to be ideal under those circumstances. And of course, there are some projects that fall into the “luxury” category.

Regardless of the customer’s need, each Warmzone snow melting system is customized specifically to best meet the needs of the customer. We do not take a “one size fits all” approach. Every Warmzone system is designed to ASHRAE standards to ensure that customers receive the most effective and efficient snow melting solution for their location, layout, and snow melting needs.

Warmzone provides industry leading system design services. Our detailed AutoCAD drawings not only show the layout of the cable and components, but include all the necessary electrical information, such as the proper load calculations, breaker sizes, number of breakers, etc.

Fully Automated

Warmzone snow melting systems feature the industry’s top controls. Most driveway heating systems utilize the WS-2C aerial-mount snow sensor (activation device). The unit features an interleaved grid “moisture” sensor at the top and the brass cylinder protruding from the bottom of the unit is the temperature sensor. When the controller detects precipitation and the temperature is below the designated set point, the unit signals the contactor panel and power is sent to the heating cable. The UL listed panels are available with or without GFEP included. (This is an excellent cost – and time – savings option for electricians.) The resistance cable then warms the driveway surface.

Aerial mount snow sensor
A WS-2C aerial mount snow sensor for automated snow melting systems.

The advanced snow sensor is mounted out in the open where it has a clear view of the sky and is exposed to the weather. To ensure that the sensor is able to make accurate temperature readings, make sure it is not mounted near furnace vents, dryer vents or any other source of heat.

Maintenance Free Snow Melting System

Because the system has no moving parts it requires no routine maintenance; however, it is recommended that the sensor be powered down and the small sensor grid be wiped clean with clear water once every 4 months.

Radiant heated driveways and snow melting systems can be easily customized to accommodate the homeowner’s layout, snowmelt needs, and budget. While every snow melting system can be tailored for each unique installation, some common layout options include:

Heat the most trafficked areas – Rather than heating the entire driveway, some owners choose to heat only the areas that receive the most traffic. An 8-foot strip in the middle of the driveway or a 2-foot strip down the middle of a sidewalk may be all that the customer needs/wants. This still allows clear access for vehicles and/or pedestrian traffic, but brings down the installation cost as well as operational costs.

Heated tire tracks – Another affordable option (that also requires considerably less power) is to heat two 24-inch wide tire tracks. This is a popular solution for customers with limited power or a limited budget. Not only does this make the installation more affordable, but the layout also demands less power, making it more affordable to run.

Heated driveway on incline with heated tire tracks

Heat Specific Areas – Some areas are prone to ice buildup or are on a steep incline. Radiant heat can be installed to keep the incline (or shaded areas) clear of snow and ice to enhance safety as well as convenience. This is especially beneficial for those with driveways that run downhill and into a busy road.

Because Warmzone radiant snow melting systems are fully automated, business owners can be assured that parking areas and walkways are kept clear at all times during snowy days. There’s no need to have employees arrive early to shovel or go outside periodically to clear and salt the walks. When a snowstorm hits, the radiant heat system will activate and keep the walks clear. Once the storm abates, the system remains on for a short time to dry the area (to prevent ice buildup) and then shuts off. Because this “after run” feature provides dry, safe walking areas for customers, it greatly reduces the chances of business owners being hit with dreaded personal injury lawsuits.

Industry Leading Support Services

Don’t forget, Warmzone is the innovative leader when it comes to customer service. Installers not only receive a detailed layout with all the technical information, but can talk with a radiant heat expert any time and receive technical support whenever they have a question during the installation. (See Warmzone’s November Newsletter below for more information about Warmzone’s system design services.) Warmzone also hosts a library of helpful installation videos on its website. Check out Warmzone’s Installation Videos here.

Warmzone also provides free installation training. Installers receive personal training and can complete the installation course at their own pace. Electrical and design experts are on hand to assist you during the training and/or the installation. Warmzone stands by its customers to ensure that the system is installed correctly and the customer is satisfied.

For more information, or a free quote, contact Warmzone today at 888.488.9276.

HOTNEWS

December HotNews – Roof Heat Trace Systems

Roof Gutter Trace Systems

Self-regulating Heat Cable for Gutters, Downspouts, Valleys and More

During the winter months many homeowners scramble to find a way to protect their roof gutters from heavy ice buildup. Icicles can also form, creating dangerous conditions for pedestrians below. Not only does falling ice present a danger, but melting icicles drip onto the sidewalk below and the water refreezes in the evening, creating a thin sheet of slick ice. Needless to say, these conditions are a nightmare for business owners.

The most popular and trusted method for keeping roof gutters and downspouts free of snow and ice is installing a heat trace system. These affordable systems are easy to install and are fully automated. The reliable, maintenance free roof deicing systems rely on durable self-regulating heat trace cable.

Self-regulating heat cable

Self-regulating heat cable automatically adjusts its power output to compensate for temperature changes. The cable’s irradiated conductive core increases the heat output as the outside temperature falls and decreases the heat output as the temperature rises. This unique construction makes it durable, safe, and extremely energy efficient.

The UV stabilized, flexible thermoplastic elastomer overjacket protects the durable carbon core for wet applications and exposure to the sun. These features provide more consistent performance, longer lifespan, and easier installation in cold temperatures that most other cable brands. In addition to providing ideal protection for roof and gutter applications, the heat cable can also be used for pipe tracing applications.

The other key component to Warmzone’s industry leading roof deicing and gutter trace system is the WS-8C aerial-mount snow sensor. This advanced sensor is designed primarily for gutter, downspout, and roof ice melting and small satellite antenna deicing. The totally sealed, low voltage, remote mount precipitation sensor allows the user to install the small sensor head in a downspout, the back of a gutter, or at the end of an antenna boom, up to 10 feet away, while keeping the main controller in a more convenient or protected outdoor location.

Warmzone roof heat tracing systems are affordable and effective. And once installed, you never have to worry about it. The system automatically operates when needed.

In addition to installing the cable in roof gutters, downspouts and valleys, the cable can also be zigzagged along the roof’s edge to help break up ice dams. The heat cable prevents water from pooling up behind ice dams by providing channels for the runoff to reach the gutter.

However, if your roof is consistently dealing with ice dams, that may be an indication that your attic is poorly insulated. Certainly, a roof deicing system can be installed at your roof edges to eliminate ice dams, but it is also recommended that you check your attic to ensure that it is properly insulated as well.

Roof in need of a roof deicing system

Ice dams form as a result of warm air rising from the home and escaping into the attic where it warms the roof and causes runoff. The melted snow reaches the colder roof overhang and refreezes. Eventually a ridge of ice forms and then subsequent runoff pools behind the ridge of ice. Water can seep under shingles and when it refreezes damage may occur.

Warmzone can provide a variety of custom roof heating solutions for you. Call today and see what options would best suit your needs. Any system can be customized to meet your specific roof heating needs and budget. Call 888.488.9276 today.

Features and Benefits of Warmzone’s Roof Heat Trace Systems

  • Will not overheat or burnout when overlapped
  • Superior quality outer jacket and carbon core
  • Features advanced technology that results in highly effective, energy efficient operation
  • Can be cut to length in the field
  • Fully automated
  • Maintenance free
  • Protects roofs by preventing ice dams and ice buildup
HOTNEWS

What Makes Warmzone’s Design and Support Services the Industry’s Best?

Unmatched Support and Design Services – Reasons why Warmzone Heated Driveway Systems are Better than any Other

When shopping for a radiant snow melting, floor heating, or roof deicing system, there are several factors to take into consideration to ensure that you install the best system for your needs and that it will perform the way that you want it to. With so many options out there, it can be difficult for homeowners to narrow down the field of potential system providers. So when it comes to installing a heated driveway or floor, what are the key factors to look for? What factors distinguish one system over another?

Certainly you’ll want reputable, proven system components. For a heated driveway / snow melting system this includes the heating element (cable), snow sensor, and the contactor panel or controller. A quality system begins with quality components. This is an area in which Warmzone excels.

Snow melting system heat cable and components

But a few providers may offer some components of similar quality. So, to further separate the “great” from the “good”, we need to take some other factors into consideration. If you’re sure that you’ve found the highest quality system components, you’ll next need to find out what services are included with those quality components. What role will your provider play in regards to the installation of those top quality components?

Genuine Customer Service versus Customer Service Hype

When it comes to service, too many radiant heat system providers deliver lip service rather than genuine customer service. Few businesses have a trained, dedicated support staff, so installers often end up speaking with sales people or whoever else happens to be free at the time of the call. But radiant heat customers deserve better. Great customer service not only means friendly, technical installation support, but includes accurate system design and layout services.

Example of Warmzone radiant heat system AutoCAD
Example of a snow melting system design drawing.

It is vital that you have a detailed layout of your system. This not only includes a “road map” of how your heating cable is laid out, but also where and how it is wired to the contactor panel and activation device (snow sensor). The system layout must be created by an experienced designer and electrical expert. Professional system designs should also contain all the technical information for your electrician. Every aspect of the snow melting system should be included so that your electrician and installer know every detail prior to installing any heat cable.

Warmzone offers an AutoCAD drawing of the layout with all the technical information necessary to move forward with the installation. System layouts should include proper layout and materials, proper load calculations, breaker sizes, number of breakers, etc. We make sure that your installer and electrician have all the information necessary to begin the install with confidence. And that includes free installation training.

Honestly, what makes Warmzone Different? 

Warmzone’s pre- and post sales support is unmatched. We won’t abandon you after the sale. We answer your questions, evaluate your project needs and then assist you before, during, and after the installation. Here are some specifics that identify why we’re so different:

Pre-sales system design – Warmzone provides pre-sales system design services. This is offered to ensure that the system meets all of your requirements. There’s no need to purchase a system and then worry whether it will perform adequately for your specific application and layout. If you choose to move forward with the purchase, Warmzone will include an AutoCAD layout at your request.

Free Installation Training – Knowing how vital the proper installation is, Warmzone provides free installation training for installers and electricians. We’ll cover all the aspects of your specific installation, and we’ll be available if you have any questions during the install. This training is invaluable for installers and a great benefit to homeowners.

Technical Support – While installing a radiant heating system is relatively easy, and the installation manual covers all aspects of the install, sometimes it still helps to talk with an expert. Warmzone has a dedicated staff of support personnel available to answer your call. If an installer or electrician has questions during the installation, he/she can call and speak with an expert who will work with them to resolve the issue at hand.

Programming the Controller – We assist in programming the controller based on ASHRAE standards. (The settings depend on the ASHRAE standards mandated for the specific area where your system is installed.)

Commissioning Large Systems for Service – Warmzone support experts are also available to assist customers in the startup and commissioning of large systems for service. For example, for a heated runaway truck ramp in the Northeastern U.S., a Warmzone expert not only provided technical support onsite, but commissioned the system after the installation to ensure optimum performance.

Special Equipment – On rare occasions, an installer’s helper may accidentally damage the cable during the installation, but then not mention it so as to avoid repercussions. Then the concrete is poured but the system doesn’t perform as it should. Warmzone has the equipment to locate and repair the cable fault, so there’s no need to tear up a large portion of the driveway. This is a service that few – if any – other providers offer.

Large heated paver driveway

Warmzone installation experts are available to walk installers through the installation process, and they continue to be available after the system is installed. This ensures that all the customer’s questions are answered and the automated system is ready for the first snowfall.

Warmzone focuses on the long term goal of making customers happy rather than just selling snow melting systems. For customers to be satisfied, they need to be treated with respect and work with a friendly support staff that goes the extra mile. With our staff, we can provide consumers with expertise and genuine, personal support services that make them feel more like a partner than a customer.

For details about our products and services, contact a friendly professional today at 888.488.9276.

HOTNEWS

October HotNews – What Makes Warmzone Snow Melting Systems Better than Others?

A Look Behind the Making of a Great Snow Melting System

Radiant heat snow melting systems are easy to customize and can be installed in just about any time of medium and application. Snowmelt systems are versatile and can be custom designed to heat driveways, loading docks, ramps, bridges, steps and more.

But did you know that Warmzone custom designs your snow melting system according to a wide range of variables, including the specific weather trends in your region? That’s right; the design process goes way beyond the basics of square footage, available power and budget.

Your heated driveway is carefully tailored to provide the best and most cost-effective snow melting results according to the typical weather conditions in your area. Some of the factors considered when designing a system include the average winter temperature, average annual snowfall, project application, layout demands, and the medium used (i.e., concrete, asphalt, pavers). Just like the snowflakes they melt, each heated driveway system is unique. Despite having the same general layout, a snow melting system at the top of a ski resort is going to differ from a heated driveway down in the city.

Heated paver walkways at outdoor mall

After the snow melting components have been selected and the system has been carefully designed, the next step is to make that design come to life with a proper installation. NOTE: It’s important to understand that no matter how brilliant the system design may be, the performance of the system hinges on the correct execution of every aspect of the installation.

Knowing that the proper installation of these systems is so important, Warmzone provides free installation training and installation support services. We stand by our customers throughout the installation process to help ensure that the system is properly installed.

Prior to the installation training, it’s helpful for installers to take advantage of the information available on our website. In addition to a wealth of online product documentation and illustrations, Warmzone hosts a vast resource of instructional videos. This valuable resource can help installers gain a better understanding of the systems, how they are installed, and how they function.

Next, the installer should sign up for training. Warmzone’s free installation training courses can be scheduled through our website. Installers can sign up for a time that is convenient for them and then receive personal instructions via WebEx. Installers are also welcome to attend free training courses at our Salt Lake City facility. The course takes less than an hour and the attendee can ask as many questions as he/she sees fit.

When laying out the heat cable for the system, it is vital to maintain proper spacing so that the cables never touch or cross over each other. Typical spacing for a heated driveway is either 4 or 3 inches (37 or 50 watts per square foot). For concrete pours the cable should be secured to the remesh using zip ties. Mesh-Up plastic supports should be placed under the remesh to keep the cable elevated in the cement slab. Ideally, the heat cable should be about 2 inches from the surface of the driveway or area to be heated. The cable’s power lead is then run to the control panel. (The splice must remain embedded in the concrete.) Because electric snow melting systems feature no moving parts, they require no maintenance.

Snow sensors for automated snow melting system
An aerial-mount and a ground-mount snow sensor activation device.

When snow is detected the sensor signals the controller which then sends power to the heating cable, warming the driveway surface. After the storm, the “afterrun” function keeps the system running for a short period to dry the surface so that no ice forms.

Radiant snow melting systems have proven to reliably and efficiently provide snow melting around the clock. Owners can rest easy, knowing that the snow melting system is keeping the driveway and/or walks free of snow and Ice.

For more information about Warmzone snow melting, roof deicing or floor heating systems, contact a radiant heat expert today at 888.488.9276.

HOTNEWS

Take Care of Your Roof

Helpful Roof Information

Most weather related issues for a home begin – or end – with the roof. So, it’s no exaggeration to state that the single most important physical characteristic of a house may be its roof. Trouble areas or a poor quality roof can result in expensive water damage within the house so it’s vital to catch these problems before any damage can be done. As homeowners it’s important for us to inspect and maintain the quality of the roof and consistently ensure the integrity of the roof.

A mountain lodge in dire need of a roof deicing system

Some important factors to keep in mind are:

  • Multiple-layer roofs (shingles laid over shingles) will have a shorter lifespan.
  • An unventilated or poorly ventilated attic reduces roof lifespan.
  • Tree branches rubbing on a roof or the accumulation of leaf debris on a roof can shorten the life of roof shingles.
  • Severe weather such as hot summers and harsh winters can affect your roof. Weather fronts that introduce dramatic temperature swings within a 24-hour period can also shorten lifespan because of the rapid expansion and contraction of the roof materials.

What’s the Best Way to Heat My Roof?

Warmzone offers several options when it comes to heating your roof. And each system can be customized to further meet your specific needs.

Roof deicing system installed to heat roof edges

One of the most popular systems for heating roof edges is the RoofHeat STEP system. This system features thin, low-voltage heating element that is installed directly under the roof shingle. (The system is also safe to install under metal roofs.)

The semi-conductive polyethylene heating element comes in 12-inch wide rolls and can even be nailed or stapled through and cut on site. Other widths are available for heating gutters and downspouts. The heating element is polypropylene fused during fabrication to achieve water proofing and protection from alkaline or salt damage.

Heating Gutters and Downspouts

The ideal solution for heating gutters and downspouts is self-regulating heat cable. The heat cable is effective for heating roof edges, gutters and drainpipes to help prevent costly ice and water damage, frost erosion and dangerous falling ice.

The self-regulating roof and gutter heating cable is extremely effective and energy efficient. The UL listed cable meets the requirements of the NEC (National Electric Code) Section 426. The durable cable features an irradiated conductive core that increases the heat output as the outside temperature falls and decreases the heat output as the temperature rises. This proven construction makes it tough, safe, and extremely energy efficient.

Most residential automated self-regulating heat trace systems consist of the heating element and a thermostat or snow sensor (activation device). (Larger systems may require another contactor, depending upon the power requirements. Heat trace systems rely on the thermostat to activate and keep the gutters and downspouts clear of ice.

Warmzone roof heating systems are fully automated and maintenance free. Warmzone roof deicing systems have been installed in Denver and most other cold regions around the country and are still the most effective and discreet for roof deicing and gutter trace applications.

Roof heating systems can be customized to accommodate just about any roof type and configuration. Warmzone self-reg roof and gutter heating cable may also be combined with other recommended roof heating systems, such as the RoofHeat STEP deicing system to create an optimal solution for you. We’ll work with you to create a customized system to best accommodate your specific snow melting needs as well as your budget. For more information, call 888.488.9276 today.

HOTNEWS

July Newsletter – Efficiently Warming Your Home

Radiant Floor Heating

Nowadays consumers are not only concerned with saving money, but about doing their part to minimize their carbon footprint and help protect the environment. Perhaps it is these factors that have contributed to the steady growth of radiant heat – in addition to the luxurious warmth that it offers.

Radiant heat systems provide the most efficient way to heat homes and businesses. Unlike forced air systems, radiant heated floors have virtually no heat loss, so there’s no wasted energy. And the systems operate on renewable energy. (Hydronic floor heating systems are also available. These systems utilize a boiler to heat the specially treated water that is pumped through a series of PEX tubing.)

Traditional home heating systems use a series of vents and a blower. While standing over a vent in the winter time can be a nice way to warm up, unfortunately that comfort doesn’t spread evenly across the whole room or last very long. Most of the room can warm quickly, but it cools equally fast. The heated air blown from the vents rises to the ceiling and dissipates, abandoning the floors and lower levels of the home. This is known as stratification – a situation where the top levels of a room are warm and the lower levels are colder, oftentimes by as much as 10 degrees. The cooler temperatures at “knee level” are especially uncomfortable for children who spend a lot of time playing on the floor.

Heated tile floor

Most forced air heating systems use natural gas to produce a flame that heats air. The warm air is then distributed throughout the house through a series of conduits. Some ducts may run through cold basements, causing heat loss in the air being blown from the furnace. In addition to the air cooling slightly as it travels through the house, warm air can also escape wherever there are small openings in the ducts and closed vents. When combined with stratification the inefficiency of forced air heating systems becomes glaringly apparent. Simply put, transferring heat through the air is not an energy efficient solution.

Recognizing the lack of sustained warmth and cooler temperatures at lower levels in the rooms, most parents frequently bump up the thermostat to blow more warm air from the vents. This eventually raises the temperature, but significantly raises the monthly heating bill as well. There’s no escaping the fact that a great deal of heat loss occurs with traditional blower systems. And though vents in some rooms can be closed in an effort to drive more heat to occupied rooms, hot air continues to escape, whistling from the closed vents. When the thermostat is cranked high enough the environment can be warmed, but forced air systems are notorious for heat loss and wasted energy.

Unlike transferring heat through the air, radiant heat warms a surface directly by expanding out from the heat source. This is the most efficient form of energy transfer. Heat radiates through objects via infrared radiation, warming objects and people in the room.

Radiant heat systems offer a significantly more efficient means for heating homes and businesses. In addition to being at least 30 percent more efficient, the floor heating systems provide an even, continuous level of warmth. And since radiant heat originates at the floor, you’ll enjoy the natural benefits of heat rising, minimizing heat loss due to dissipation.

Installing floor heating cable mats

Both electric and hydronic floor heating systems are available. Most electric radiant floor heating systems utilize a network of resistance heating cable that is installed under the floor surface. Because there are no moving parts with electric heated floors, the systems are maintenance free. Warmzone offers a wide variety of electric floor heating systems, including ComfortTile heat cable, Prodeso® floor heating systems, FloorHeat STEP low-voltage systems, In-Slab heating, FoilHeat, and FilmHeat/RetroHeat, which is used for both new construction applications and retrofitting existing floors with radiant heat. Visit our Floor Heating Systems Overview webpage.

Hydronic floor heating systems with RAUPANELs utilize an efficient boiler to heat specially treated water that is then circulated through a closed loop of PEX tubing by a series of pumps. Hydronic systems require a special ‘mechanical room’ for the equipment. Because hydronic radiant heat systems can operate on natural gas or other fuel, the operational costs may be lower than those of its electric counterpart. But both electric and hydronic systems offer the luxurious and energy efficient benefits of radiant heat.

HOTNEWS

March News – Warmzone Prodeso Floor Heating Systems

Advances in tile manufacturing in the past few decades have improved the quality and choices available to consumers. New colors, new materials, larger format, thinner tiles and digital printing have all contributed to a steady growth of the use of tile as a surface. When compared to other flooring options such as carpeting and wood floors, ceramic tiles are normally preferred because they are easy to clean, resilient, and hygienic. Unfortunately ceramic tile and natural stone, if not installed properly, are subject to cracking, delaminating, and are cold to the touch. Use of electrical floor heating can minimize the cold, but can submit the tile assembly to additional stress that can lead to cracking and delaminating.

Traditionally most electric floor heating, and anti-fracturing membrane manufacturers have recommended covering the electrical heating cables with a self-leveling cement layer or a thin-set layer followed by an uncoupling crack isolating membrane and then finally installing the tiles. This process needlessly increases time, difficulty, thickness, height differentials, weight, and cost of the overall installation.

Prodeso floor heating membrane

In keeping with our commitment to offering the finest and latest radiant heat technologies, Warmzone announces the offering of Prodeso® membrane floor heating systems. The Prodeso membrane is a polypropylene uncoupling, crack isolation, waterproofing membrane, with rounded square shaped reliefs. These reliefs form channels specially designed to embed and hold the ComfortTile heat cable – and is an excellent choice for heating tile floors.

ComfortTile floor heating mat, cable and thermostat

The heat membrane features a polypropylene thermo welded woven underneath to increase the bond between the subfloor and the membrane, and comes in rolls that can be laid out directly over the subfloor prior to the ceramic tile or other floor surface being installed. The design of the membrane provides an innovative uncoupling and waterproofing system for heating floors and other surfaces without movement or expansion joints in the screed.

Simplifying the installation process, the uncoupling membrane is laid directly over the entire surface intended for the installation. The electric heating cable can then be installed in the channels formed between the rounded square reliefs of the patented membrane, resulting in quick, easy, and accurate cable placement. It is NOT necessary to use self-leveling cement to cover and protect the heat cable before starting a tile installation. This results in significant savings of material, time, cost and overall weight. The floor surface can be immediately installed over the membrane and cable.

The membrane is versatile and can be used on all types of indoor and outdoor applications. And the Prodeso system is safe under all conditions and weather, and can be used to heat a wide variety of floor surfaces. It even waterproofs the substrate in the case of overlaying on cracked or imperfectly cured floors with a risk of vapor stress.

Some Benefits of Warmzone Prodeso

Warmzone’s Prodeso® Heat System combines the benefit of an underlayment membrane with the comfort and convenience of electrical floor heating.

The Prodeso Heat Membrane can be installed over the entire subfloor as an uncoupling, crack isolating and waterproofing membrane.

Prodeso floor heating membrane
Prodeso radiant floor heating membrane and cable shown installed on cement base slab to heat a tile floor.
  • The innovative and patented Prodeso® heat system is a time saving, cost effective system to install a warm and comforting floor.
  • The floor heating cable is then installed in the channels of the membrane, ensuring quick and accurate cable placement.
  • Once the heat cable is installed you can begin installing the flooring immediately; no waiting is necessary. This allows you to install an underlayment membrane, the floor heat and tile (or other surface) all in the same day.
  • The Prodeso heat system will add only 5.5mm to your overall installation. That’s less than a ¼ inch, which is considerably less than many other leading systems.
  • There is virtually no heat loss, making this floor heating system extremely effective and energy efficient.
  • The patented Prodeso heat system allows you to have the comfort and convenience of under floor electrical radiant heating at an affordable cost.
  • Prodeso heat system thermostat allows you to program and control your floor heat cycles to accommodate your schedule, optimizing comfort and minimizing operating costs. The system gives you the pleasure of under floor heat where you want it, when you want it.
  • The Prodeso heat system is an easy to install floor heating solution, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

ComfortTile Heat Cable

To ensure the maximum benefit from your Prodeso floor heating membrane, it is recommended to use ComfortTile floor heating cable. ComfortTile heat cable is a premium, proven heat cable that is used for a wide range of radiant floor heating applications. The quality manufacturing is evidenced by the twin conductor heating cable that is matched with premium materials, enabling the ComfortTile heat cable to withstand the harshest conditions while providing superior floor heating performance and fast response times. The heat cable is only about 1/8 of an inch in diameter, and can be quickly and easily placed in the channels of the Prodeso membrane.

HOTNEWS

Protecting Your Roof and Gutters

Each spring, it’s a good idea for homeowners to check their roofs and make sure they survived winter’s icy barrage intact.  Look for damaged, loose and missing shingles, loss of granules on asphalt shingles, deterioration of the sleeves and flashing at vent pipes, and corrosion or damage of other roof flashing. (“Flashing” helps direct the flow of water around openings.) Also, take a look after any severe weather event.

Most roofs are designed to take the beating delivered by Mother Nature, but like everything else, roofs have an effective lifespan, so to prevent possible leaks and costly water damage it is recommended to inspect your roof twice a year. (Ideally, homeowners should inspect their roofs in the fall as well as in springtime.)

Clearing snow off of roof

Roofs in cold climate areas are susceptible to gradual deterioration over the years as a result of repeated freezing and thawing of snow in areas where pockets of ice accumulates. Roof damage can be very subtle, but tiny problems can grow into large, costly problems that not only affect the roof, but the inside of the home as well. That’s why careful inspection of the roof is so important.

The origins of roof problems and likely “leak points” are at its flashings (such as the drip edge, valleys, and wall-to-roof flashing). Penetrations such as plumbing vent pipes, chimneys and skylights are also more vulnerable to leaking. This means that a home with an elegant roof line that has multiple intersecting planes, a chimney and maybe a couple of dormer windows is more likely to leak than a simple gable roof on a rectangular-shaped house.

Most roof leaking is the result of an event, such as a strong storm followed by a threshold of deterioration after which the material begins to fail. Failure points can also be a result of manufacturing or installation defects. Also, ice dams are a common culprit when it comes to roof damage and water intrusion.

Snow and ice buildup occurs when runoff reaches the colder roof eaves and refreezes. Over time, the buildup increases, resulting in large rims of ice near the roof’s edge that cause water to pool behind it. The pooled water seeps under the shingles and refreezes at night, which can threaten the roof’s integrity and eventually lead to costly water damage inside the home.

Heated roof edge

Self-regulating heat cable and low-voltage RoofHeat STEP systems are two leading solutions for heating roof edges and preventing ice dams. These automated systems keep roof edges clear of snow and ice, and the heating elements can also be installed in the roof gutters to further facilitate runoff. Ensuring that water and ice are never trapped on your roof offers peace of mind, knowing that ice dams are not threatening your home. View more information and options for heating your roof.

The Importance of Taking Care of Your Roof

Helpful Roof Information

A quality roof is the key protective element of your home. A poor quality roof can wreak havoc with the interior once it starts to leak. Staining, mold, and rot can be the results of water intrusion. So when it comes to installing your home’s roof, keep these factors in mind:

  • Multiple-layer roof – A roof installed over an existing roof will have a shorter life.
  • Quality of roofing material – You get what you pay for. “Economy” roof materials have a shorter life
  • Installation – Sloppy or improper installation shortens roof life
  • Attic ventilation – An unventilated or poorly ventilated attic reduces roof lifespan.
  • Trees near the roof – Tree branches rubbing on a roof or the acidity from the accumulation of leaf debris on a roof can shorten the life of roof shingles.
  • Harsh climate – Severe weather, including hot summers as well as harsh winters. Dramatic temperature swings within a 24-hour period also shorten lifespan because of the rapid expansion and contraction of the roof materials.
Common Causes for Roof Leaking
  1. Poorly installed or missing flashings
  2. Incorrect installation of the roofing material
  3. Temporary repairs with mastic or caulk
  4. Ice and debris in gutters
  5. Improper deck over roof or low slope roof used as a deck
  6. Bolted-thru satellite dishes, solar systems
  7. Damaged plumbing boots
  8. Trees scraping or impacting the roof
  9. Ice dams
  10. Roofing material deterioration

To protect your roof from winter related damage, view our roof heating options page and contact a roof heating expert at 888.488.9276.

Additional Information

What is the Life Expectancy of a Roof?

The life expectancy of a roof varies, depending on the type of roofing material, the weather, and quality of the installation. With this is mind, here are some lifespan averages for the different types of roofs (based on “average” conditions).

  • Three-tab Asphalt Shingles: approximately 15 years
  • Architectural Asphalt Shingles: 24 to 30 years
  • Metal (Galvalume): 30 to 45 years
  • Concrete Tile: 35 to 50 years
  • Built-Up or Modified Bitumen: 10 to 16 years
  • EPDM (rubber): 10 to 16 years

Many factors contribute to the lifespan of a roof. Here are a few conditions that affect roof longevity:

  • Color of Roof – A dark roof absorbs more heat, which shortens the lifespan.
  • Angle of Roof Slope – Higher pitched roofs tend to last longer.
  • Orientation of Roof Surface – A roof slope facing south is exposed to more UV rays than other roof facings, and therefore results in a shorter life.
Articles

Sid the Snowflake gets Caught Behind an Ice Dam

The Adventures of Sid the Snowflake (Trapped Behind an Ice Dam)

Sid tumbled through the sky at the mercy of the wind. One gust sent him hurling up, back toward the gray mist that he’d just departed from, then another would suddenly push him down, spinning him in a different direction. He tried to catch a glimpse of the ground below as he careened through the stormy heavens, but all he could see was a sky full of his fellow snowflakes, all in the same predicament. Not knowing whether he was going to land in the ocean, on solid ground, or on the backside of a cow, Sid was filled with the angst of an uncertain future. A voice suddenly broke his reflective solitude.

“I’ll see you on the ground!” another snowflake yelled to him, seemingly enjoying his carefree flight.

“Alright,” Sid responded with trepidation as he glided closer and closer to earth. “Good luck!”

Illustration of Sid the snowflake for roof de-icing article

Sid knew the chance of seeing this new acquaintance again was slim. Snowflakes that begin their decent together often ended up miles apart by the time they reach the ground. Still, Sid took some comfort in the friendly words and embraced a small sense of reassurance offered by the stranger. Sid was just one of millions who were facing the uncertainty of an unknown destination. This was all part of their cycle of life.

The gusty winds subsided during Sid’s descent, and as visibility increased he could make out forms on the approaching ground. Sid’s last journey took him on an exciting adventure in the Northern Pacific Ocean, and he was half expecting the same. During that adventure, he enjoyed seeing a wide variety of exotic marine life, and he even had the experience of rolling across the back of a small humpback whale.

But today would be much, much different. There was land below. Not only was there land, there were people! Sid was headed for a city. He had fallen into a small town once before, and though the experience wasn’t horrible, it was far from being his favorite. Being scooped up in a shovel and tossed aside to be splattered by dirty, ill-mannered slush from passing cars was something he really hoped he wouldn’t have to endure again.

As he drifted toward the ground, Sid could see that many of his peers had arrived earlier, blanketing the uneven ground and buildings with a pristine layer of white. He plotted his landing and prepared for his arrival in the front yard of a small farm house. But a sudden gust tossed him aside and onto the roof of the house. He breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to be on a roof and not in some cow pasture. He was quickly joined by others, and the group settled in, not yet sure of their fate.

After four uneventful days on the roof, Sid started feeling a bit “loosey goosey” as warm air escaping from the attic warmed the roof and tickled his rear end. He watched as friends around him collapsed from their frozen state into clear liquid, each letting out a loud “whoo hoo” as they tumbled down the roof valley. They zigzagged their way down the giant water slide before crashing into a growing pool that had formed behind a large ridge of ice near the roof’s edge.

Then it was Sid’s turn. As his last frozen foothold gave way, he cascaded toward his friends, clumsily bumping into a few stubborn packs of ice before being released into the small pool. This would be Sid’s new home for a few days. The large ice dam wasn’t going to allow any of them to drip into the gutter or downspout anytime in the near future.

Illustration showing how roof ice dams form

Apparently, the ice dam had been growing long before Sid’s arrival. The shingles were much warmer higher up on the roof, but the surface near the roof’s edge was still cold. The roof extended out from the house, so there was no warm air from the attic.  When drops of melted snow trickled down into the freezing valley below, they collected and then during the cold nights, they transformed back into their frozen state. Without the warmth escaping from the attic as it did near the top of the roof, the frozen water would remain where it was, completely at the mercy of Mother Nature. Here Sid and his drippy friends would dwell until they could find a way past the ice dam. They could only wait for the temperature to slowly warm.

The process of melting and refreezing behind the formidable ice dam had repeated several times before Sid had arrived. And now, trapped behind the ice, Sid and his friends would also take part in that process. As night fell on another cold day, Sid and his companions once again changed back into their frozen state. They could do nothing but wait for warmer weather.

With each passing day, the crowd grew larger as runoff from warm areas of the roof increased the pool’s size. Milling about like restless concert goers awaiting the opening act, some of Sid’s cohorts grew impatient.

“Let’s work our way through this place and drip inside the house,” he heard one say. Soon, a plan was hatched, and an ample collection of rebellious drips began their unconventional trek. Aided by gravity, they wound their way down through a maze of tiny cracks in the roof. If a crack came to an end or became too small, they would wait patiently for the freezing temperature to grant them their super powers. As they transformed into ice, they flexed and expanded with tremendous force, enlarging the existing cracks and preparing a way for them to continue their journey when they resumed their liquid state. With each day and freezing night, the group inched its way through the aging roof. Before long, a trail had been blazed, creating a small stream for others to follow. It didn’t take long for one of the walls in the home to begin absorbing a budding contingent of melted snowflakes. It swelled and warped as more drips piled in.

“Oh man, this drywall stuff is nasty,” one said.

“It’s an acquired taste,” an old timer replied. “Mmm, mmm,” he mumbled as he slithered down the wall.

“Dude,” quipped another, “like, I don’t think this was a good idea. We’re totally gonna end up getting cut outta here and trashed. Man, I don’t want to end up as a stain on a wall. Ugh, not cool, man.”

Sid had no intention of sliding down into the house. The idea of seeping into a home seemed unnatural. Besides, he hated the taste of plaster and drywall, and the last thing he wanted was to become a filament of mildew or mold on a gross, stained wall. He didn’t mind waiting with the others behind the ice dam.

Unfortunately, the homeowner hadn’t installed a roof deicing system, which would have prevented Sid’s derelict friends from becoming troublesome drips and trespassing into the house. Eventually however, the homeowner used a roof rake to chip away at the ice dam.

“Whoa!” Sid observed to a nearby friend as the rake slammed down and scraped the ice. “If he’s not careful, he’s gonna damage the roof shingles and then more of our comrades will seep into his home next time.”

“Eh, whadaya gonna do?” his friend shrugged. “I just wanna blow this popsicle stand. C’mon man, let’s get outta here.”

With the dam broken away, Sid and his friends tumbled into the gutter.  He’d made a journey like this once before, resting on a Utah rooftop for over a week before finding his way back to a stream, and eventually back in to the clouds – where he was happiest. After another epic journey through gutters and drains and streams, Sid finally found himself swaying gently in a small lake.

Later that evening he looked up to the stars that shimmered through the wisps of clouds drifting in the moonlight. “Someday,” he reflected, “I’ll be back up there.” The ice dam held Sid for awhile, but now he was on his way home – he hoped. He floated on his back and stared at the sparkling nighttime sky and promised himself, “Soon I’ll find my way back up to the sky. Maybe the sun will warm us up tomorrow, and then I’ll float up to the clouds.” He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.