Heating ramps?

[RSieck]

Anybody ever try to heat your deck/ramp boards to keep snow and ice off of them? If so what did you use? Trying to shovel snow on a ramp is a pita.. Especially from a chair.

We have access to hot water heat. So we thought about runnin some loops out to run under the ramp to heat it. And put a valve my the door or somewhere with easy accessthat way you can only turn it on when needed. Pretty sure were gonna run loops in the concrete for my driveway aswell so I don't have to shovel it either!!

[Eileen]

I use to have a friend who lived in Minneapolois and their entire driveway had heating coils embedded under the cement. A flick of the power switch when a storm started and it was like magic with no accumulation. I was nearly green with jealousy!

[woman from Europe]

We have electricity outside the building so it is free for snow all winter. But it is only up to the road so you can't come any further. But you can take a taxi from there.

[crags]

I have an EasyHeat brand deicing system built into my driveway, which was done over when I bought the house. I originally had a wood ramp, but after it had to be removed for some foundation work, I redid it in concrete, also with deicing equipment. I live alone, and now know that if I have to leave the house for whatever reason, I have a clear path to van. Also good to ensure the safety of people coming to help me. Minimizes legal exposure in this area.

You can get manual off/on, or an environmental sensor (I have).

It draws A LOT of juice, which is reflected in the power bill, not a problem if you live in Canadian NE hydroland, where I heard juice is cheap.

Needs VERY careful attention and coordination between electrician, mason, and parts rep.

You only get one chance to get it right. Once poured and the system is installed, if it don't work, the only option is well, let's just say it's bad. I had this with part of my ramp.

[TAM63]

What about those heating cables they use on roofs to prevent ice dams?

[SCI-Nurse]

The idea is the same, but you can purchase mats that are designed to de-ice wooden decks and walkways, which should work well for a ramp. The driveway would probably need an imbedded coil system

(so glad I live in SoCal where we don't really need this kind of stuff!!)

Here are some examples:

http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Product.asp?PG=2244

http://www.heatersplus.com/heattrakmat.htm

http://www.amazon.com/HeatTrak-HTM24-10-10-Foot-Outdoor-Electric/dp/B001E5CUHQ

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/melters-ice-snow-50491208-1.html

(KLD)

[RSieck]

What about those heating cables they use on roofs to prevent ice dams?

I thought about those aswell. But I think in order for them to be effective they would need to be on the top of the ramp. So I don't think they would hold up very well to wheelchair or foot traffic. The house already has a boiler so I think my best bet would be to use hot water heat. Pretty sure we will need to get a new boiler in a few years anyways. Luckily I have a master pipefitter who is my stepdad. Lol

[RSieck]

The idea is the same, but you can purchase mats that are designed to de-ice wooden decks and walkways, which should work well for a ramp. The driveway would probably need an imbedded coil system

(so glad I live in SoCal where we don't really need this kind of stuff!!)

Here are some examples:

http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Product.asp?PG=2244
http://www.heatersplus.com/heattrakmat.htm
http://www.amazon.com/HeatTrak-HTM24-10-10-Foot-Outdoor-Electric/dp/B001E5CUHQ
http://www.thomasnet.com/products/melters-ice-snow-50491208-1.html

(KLD)

thanks for the links!!!

I like the idea of the heating mat. But for the $600 it cost for a 10' length I could install the hot water for that and do the entire ramp I bet. If it didn't cost so much I would be all over it!!

[SCI-Nurse]

Depends on what you ramp is made out of. If it is wood or metal it will be different than if it is concrete.

(KLD)

[RSieck]

I think my ramp will be a combo. Part of it will be wood and the rest might be concrete

[crags]

All of these systems depend on radiant heating through direct molecular contact with the surface to be deiced. So in concrete, it actually warms the concrete upward from the embedded mats. I have never seen a system of radiant heating for wood, nor would you want to lay these simply on top and roll on them. They'll break before long. Remember, having them say, under a wood ramp, if it would even work will not be effective as in concrete, since the mats are completed exposed to cold air and will lose much heat to radiational cooling.

[Draggin' Lady]

If you think about using hot water as heat source, I'd definitely go with an instant-on water heater (on-demand heater) vs. a traditional tank hot water heater. Your out of pocket for installation will be higher, but will be quickly recouped with monthly utility bill savings. Go gas if you can; it's much more efficient.

You want to avoid at all costs anything that would only partially melt the ice and then leave you will a dry-ice effect in its wake.

Hope this helps,
Margie
(formerly SeabeeMom)

[Draggin' Lady]

I sure could have used a system last week in Florida. Ice on the walk and a bit on the drive. Ick.