Summer is supposed to be vacation time, but for many homeowners, it is often one of the busiest times of the year. Homeowners prefer to maintain or update their homes while the weather is good. Your business can capitalize on the warm weather by stepping up product offerings that help customers prepare for the upcoming winter months. ProLine’s wholesale radiant heat products can be the perfect choice for professional builders. From heated driveways and floors to roof de-icing and pipe trace solutions, ProLine has you covered. ProLine’s state-of-the-art products give your business options for any customer, budget, and need.

One popular radiant heat offering is roof de-icing. ProLine carries a variety of custom roof heating options, ranging from low-voltage heating panels to self-regulating heat trace cables and more. Self-regulating heat cable is available on spools in a variety of lengths. Its affordability and versatility make the cable one of the most attractive options for protecting roofs from snow and ice damage. (Installing a roof de-icing system can also enhance safety for pedestrians and traffic below.)  

ProLine self-regulating de-icing cable is designed to withstand the harsh winter conditions while providing dependable, energy-efficient operation. The outer jacket of the cable is a flexible UV-stabilized thermoplastic elastomer that protects the irradiated conductive core. Because the cable is self-regulating, the conductive core increases heat output as the temperature falls and decreases the output when the temperature rises. This allows consistent, energy-efficient operation, and prevents the cable from overheating, even if the cables touch. ProLine heat cable’s versatility makes it an excellent option for almost any de-icing need.

Roof de-icing systems using self-regulating heat trace cable can prevent the accumulation of potentially damaging ice and snow. One of the most common – and costly – culprits behind roof damage is the ice dam. Installing heat trace cable along roof eaves can prevent these large slabs of ice from forming.

Ice dams form when warm air in the attic causes the bottom layer of snow on the roof to thaw. The water runs down to the roof eaves, which are colder, and refreezes. Over time, this ridge of ice grows, and eventually, water is trapped behind it, effectively creating pools of water on the roof. The water seeps into every tiny crevice of the roofing, and at night, or when temperatures drop, the water refreezes and expands. This repeated process can threaten the integrity of the roof over time. Eventually, a leaking roof results in water damage within the structure. According to home insurance companies, ice dams are the number one cause behind roof damage. Installing self-regulating heat cable along the roof eaves in a zig-zag pattern creates channels for the run-off, effectively eliminating ice dams.  

Keeping roof valleys clear for runoff is also important, which is why many homeowners and businesses install the self-regulating cable along the valleys. The cable can be easily installed in a variety of custom layouts and applications, making it the ideal choice for installing in custom, problem areas. The heat cable can also be laid out in roof gutters and downspouts to facilitate runoff. This also prevents heavy ice from damaging the gutters, and can help to prevent icicles from forming. Keeping the edges of a roof free of snow and ice also helps to ensure safety for the pedestrian traffic below.

If customers want to heat entire areas on the roof, ProLine’s low-voltage heating system is perhaps the industry’s best, most preferred option. The low-voltage system from ProLine features a flexible, thin, semi-conductive polymer heating element. The system utilizes transformers to step down the high voltage to low-voltage (60 V or less). During fabrication, the heating element is polypropylene fused, so it is protected from water, alkaline, and salt damage. ProLine low-voltage de-icing systems are also versatile, and can be used under metal roofs, as well as a variety of shingles. Valleys, eaves, entire roofs, or small, custom areas can be quickly and easily heated with ProLine’s low-voltage de-icing system. The performance and ease of installation makes this a perennial favorite of ProLine’s wholesale customers. The low-voltage heating elements can be nailed and stapled through and cut onsite, and are available in 3, 6, 9, or 12-inch widths.

Some customers opt to combine systems to create the most comprehensive roof de-icing solution possible. This is another outstanding option to offer customers. For example, the low-voltage heating panels can be installed under the shingles of the eaves, while self-regulating heat cable is installed in the gutters and downspouts.

One of the many advantages of working with ProLine is having access to its comprehensive support services. ProLine roof heating experts can design a system to meet the needs and budget of any customer. Each professional design includes a detailed AutoCAD® with all the layout, materials and electrical information needed for installation. ProLine’s professional system designers have years of experience designing both commercial and residential systems. A trained ProLine professional will help you with any project from start to finish.

Free, personal installation training is available in person or online via web conference for all customers. If you encounter a problem during the installation, technical support is always available to help resolve any issue. Product literature, installation guides, FAQs, instructional videos, and more are also available online at ProLine’s Information Resource Center.

For contractors and business owners, ProLine’s invaluable customer support services are unmatched by any other wholesale provider in the industry. Customers can be assured that they will have the support of ProLine’s expert staff when they purchase and install a ProLine radiant heat system. ProLine radiant heat professionals are here to back up professional builders, and make sure your customers are satisfied.

For more information about wholesale roof de-icing products check out ProLine’s roof de-icing web page. If you’re ready to make this summer your most profitable one yet, contact a ProLine professional today at 866-676-9276.

Radiant heat is appealing to a growing number of home and business owners nowadays. In addition to its environmentally friendly features, radiant heat is also the most efficient heating technology today. The systems are used to heat homes as well as provide snow melting for driveways, sidewalks, steps, ramps, roofs, and more.

Fully automated snow melting systems not only eliminate the need to shovel and plow driveways, but also the need for salt and snow melting chemicals. Salt runoff from driveways and sidewalks can damage nearby plants and grass. When spring time rolls around, the damage can be apparent.

The common solution for homeowners is to shovel and then salt the driveway or walks to prevent ice from forming. This is the typical routine for most of us, but it can come at a cost to grass and other nearby plants. Salt runoff tends to seep into the nearby soil, causing long term damage to the lawn and surrounding landscape. When spring arrives, some lawns reveal the tell-tale signs of salt and snowmelt chemical use. Grass lining the edges of driveways and sidewalks looks brown and dead.

While the landscape can often bear the scars of winter, the cold, wet season can also take a toll on concrete driveways. “Spalling” is an unfortunate problem with some concrete driveways and sidewalks.

The term “spalling” refers to the crumbling, or disintegration, of the surface of a concrete slab. The damage is typically limited to less than a quarter of an inch deep. The smooth, finished surface breaks apart, and the rougher stone aggregate is revealed below. But why do some concrete surfaces crumble like this?

For the most part, concrete is very stable and permanent; however, it is also porous, so it will absorb water. During winter storms, small amounts of water can be trapped inside the concrete, where it freezes at night and pushes the cement binder apart. The expanding and contracting ice/water eventually breaks down the surface, causing the top layer to crumble. (Frozen water expands about 10%, which is enough to push areas of the top layer upwards, resulting in spalling.) So, in addition to helping to preserve the health of the adjacent lawn, radiant heat can also help to prolong the lifespan of concrete and paved driveways.

The obvious benefit of radiant heated driveways is the elimination of plowing or manual snow removal. The systems also greatly enhance safety. Automated snow melting systems have a built in “afterrun” function. This safety feature forces the driveway heating system to remain on for a short time after the snowstorm to dry the surface. This prevents slick ice from forming on the surface, while eliminating tiny pockets of water from freezing and damaging the concrete from within to dramatically reduce the chance of spalling.

In addition to the “convenience” features, radiant snow melting systems provide a host of other features and benefits. Some of these include:

Maintenance free: Once an electric snow melting system is installed, there’s no need for regular maintenance. Because these systems have no moving parts, they are virtually maintenance free.

Environmentally friendly: Clean operating snow melting systems help to preserve the health of nearby plants and grass by eliminating the need for harmful salt and harsh snow melting chemicals.

Fully automated: Radiant driveway heating systems are fully automated. The systems feature embedded heat cable, an advanced snow sensor (activation device), and a controller or contactor panel. The activation device is a compact, durable, high-tech snow sensor that detects temperature and precipitation. When precipitation is detected and the temperature is below the set point (typically set at 38°F), the sensor signals the controller, and then power is sent to the heating elements to warm the surface and prevent the accumulation of snow. (The systems also feature manual override capability so it can be manually triggered to deal with snowdrifts or other issues if needed.)

Safety: One of the most obvious benefits of automated snow melting systems is that of enhanced safety. The systems stand ready to activate when needed, assuring that sidewalks, steps, driveways, and other areas remain clear of snow and ice during the winter season.

Versatile, easy to customize: Automated driveway heating systems are easy to customize. The systems can be tailored to meet the homeowners’ precise layout, as well as their snow melting needs and budget. Small areas of a driveway can be heated, or heated tire tracks or any other configuration can be installed. ProLine professional system designers have provided layouts for commercial and residential customers throughout the country.

ProLine carries a wide range of industry-leading products. In addition to these proven products, ProLine also includes unmatched customer services, including free installation training, installation support, and professional system design and layout drawings. ProLine is the trusted wholesale provider of premier radiant heat solutions. For more details, call a friendly radiant heat expert today, at 866-676-9276.