My Fathers day snowmelt

Brad White_9

You did that in ONE DAY? Jeesh. I must be slow....
I know little about Insultarp, Scott, but wondering what about the edges? Thinking the edge loss might defeat the downward losses somewhat.

The mesh tells me you will use concrete topping, is that correct? And if so, will there be control joints?

How is drainage underneath? My ever-present concern on snow melting below concrete or brick in mortar (if it is that), is the increase in freeze-thaw cycles. If drainage is not great, the forces are with you. Make that against you.

Looks like PAP tubing? What was your intended BTU/SF density? I usually seek at least 100 for a walkway but would go to 150-200 if I could. At least have the tubing to support that. (Helipads can be 300-400 by comparison).

Any photos of the indoor setup?

ScottMP

Well actually I did it Saturday

but it was alot of fun.

This is the first snowmelt I have ever done. Its the Northeast side of the house and is allways wind blown and icy. Should be alot of fun to see it work.

I thought I ran out of insultarp and did'nt like the idea of some bubble wrap that was hanging around the shop BUT I found more insultarp in the shop ( I knew we had more ).

I know many of you don't even like the insultarp but I did'nt like the idea of digging down another 2" to put down the foam board. Its was 90 on Sat.

We'll see how it works this winter.

Scott

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ScottMP

No photos inside

as of yet. This was a quick decision I was looking at the walkway and realised if I never put tubing under that I would kick myself forever. I'll get photos when I put the Flate Plate in.

I am a little worried about edge loss but am also worried about a neat joint of cement around the edge.

One of the whole reasons for doing this was to eliminate the walkways back pitch. It flooded our basement every good rain ( and as you know, we've had some ). We installed drains under the gutters that go out to a block wall and away from the house. Drainage should be good.

And yes it was PAP and was pretty easy to work with.

Concret pour with control joints.

Scott

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Brad White_9

Yeah,

I did not mean to nickel and dime the installation (nor did I think you took it that way). Your reasoning is sound, you are seizing the opportunity all for good reasons!

Any perimeter insulation will help, even an inch, half inch if you must. Even a joint filler strip is better than nothing.

If no insulation, it just means longer run times and the grass at the edge gets a head start on spring.

Overall you are better off doing what you are doing. The PAP always looks nice.

jwade55_5

Looks great Mr. Milne.

The only thing, is insultarp installed white side up? That's my understanding anyways.

J

Dave Yates (PAH)

way cool or is that hot!?!

So, aside from cooking waffles in bed, you were busy treating the homestead to a nicely done bit of snowmelt!

You ought to treat those tennis courts too(G).

Maybe one day I'll be motivated to hook up my snow melt system. The cobbler's children don't go barefoot on that sidewalk cause they'd get frostbite! All I needs is some spare time(G).

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ScottMP

J

I never knew that ?? Anyone else ?? I'll have to check.

Thats why I posted the pictures, allthougth I can't see where it would be a huge difference.

Scott

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ScottMP

Dave

If my family reads your posts they'll never eat my waffles again .... That dosn't sound right ....... MY waffles are fine.

Sounds like a Sienfeld episode. " I don't think I want your waffles in my iron ".

" Whats the matter with my waffles ? "

Scott

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Unknown

the edge

Brad's right about the edge, I've seen snowmelting system without the insulations on the edges, "winter" kill, grass roots will be warm with freezing air above = dead grass strip. They installed gravel strip as a buffer zone... Its your call... Best part is your neigbhors will see you walking barefeet in winter with coffee in your hand, getting newspapers while they shoveling the snow...

Wayco Wayne_2

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Brad White_9

This part

"Best part is your neigbhors will see you walking barefeet in winter with coffee in your hand, getting newspapers while they shoveling the snow..."

...will cement any doubts the neighbors may have about the sanity of the man next door....

Scott- rjb is right- you simply have to do that....

ScottMP

O.K.

They pour today so I have to get going...

I know this is important but it's my own house and I thought, well no big deal blah, blah, blah.

Thanks Guys, this is why I posted.

Scott

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jwade55_3

scott

http://www.insulationsolutions.com/products/insultarp/install_instructions.html

Attached is a link to their installation instructions, who reads them anyhow

J

ScottMP

Well apparantly not me ..

Thanks for the info Jade..

You'd think I'd know better..

Scott

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Brad White_9

But Scott-

when you laid down the sod, you got the "Green-side up" part correct at least!

ScottMP

Hope this gets read

I contacted insulatarp to find out why the white side is up.

The answer was that during construction the white side up will have the foam layers over the bubble wrap and will prtotect the bubble wrap from being damaged from excessive traffic.

Since I out this down and had minimal traffic, I feel better about this. Now I KNOW !

Also did the perimeter insulation last night.

Scott

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Wayco Wayne_2

Scott

I did snowmelt 2 years ago. Like Dave I took a while hooking it up to my boiler system. I used insultarp too. Works great. Last Winter we got a storm that gave us 20 inches of snow overnight. Before I went to bed I turned on the system. My control system is a toggle switch downstairs under the stairs in the basement that turns on the circs and the water temperature control. So much for high tech. In the morning my sidewlak looked like the grand canyon with 20 inches of snow on each side of a dry clear sidewalk. I felt so good, it made me want to do the chicken dance on it in my PJ's. Be sure to post some pictures next Winter. WW

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ScottMP

Thanks Wayne

You should have taken a picture of the walkway..

Please ... NO PIctures of the chicken dance

Scott

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