Granite steps snowmelt

steveg

I have an engineer in the New England area inquiring if any one has designed and/or installed a snowmelt system under 8" granite steps. 

Rich_49

Whats

the question . I'm sure someone has done it before . 8 " , 2 " what's the difference except response time ?  These steps will actually take longer to cool than a 2" slab also , I don't understand the problem or need for the question to be asked .

 

Zman

Steps

I think it will be a difficult task. My experience with concrete is that if you don't get the tubing within a couple inches of the nose of the tread, the snow melts then freezes right where you don't want it to on the nose. There is so much surface area on the nose that it is the first to freeze.

If money is no object, I would think that using several inches of insulation underneath and placing the tubing directly under the block would yield the best results. It also helps to run lower water temps and maintaining a constant "idle" temp to get more even heat.



Any chance they will do concrete treads with granite caps?

hot_rod

Same experience

You really need three tubes on the tread to do a good safe melt. One tube close to that front nose of the treaded or you get an ice build up there. I have also seen installers Run PAP up and down instead of across the tread 6" on center. Takes patience, I think John Abularage in up NY does his steps that method



I doubt tube under 8 " of anything would do much melting. Maybe if you ramped it up starting in June

steveg

Thanks Hotrod!

That was my thought before posting and you confirmed it.