With the holiday season just around the corner, that can only mean one thing … snow is sure to be here soon, too. Is your property winter-ready? There are a variety of ways you can tackle the seasonal chore of dealing with snow at your Wellesley, MA, home. But one of the most effective ways is with an embedded snowmelt system. If you dread the first sign of flurries, are concerned about safety, or do not even want to think about having to shovel your way through the snow, then a snowmelt system is surely for you. Check out our latest post to see how your trusted landscaper installs a system like this to help your walkways and paved surfaces stay snow-free.
What Is a Snowmelt System?
For those who do not know about snowmelt systems, let us define the term first. A snowmelt system works much in the same way as a heated flooring system does. It involves a series of heating elements embedded into a specific paved area, such as a sidewalk, or a portion of your driveway, to automatically warm the ground with radiant heat. In most cases, these systems are automated, and can be programmed to work only when temperatures and conditions are right, usually when moisture is detected and the temperature is below 39° Fahrenheit. This type of automation helps to conserve energy, and it also creates a more convenient and enjoyable system for the homeowner.
How Are Snowmelt Systems Professionally Installed?
If you are already looking to pave your driveway or sidewalk, then decide ahead of time whether you want to have a snowmelt system added to your overall plan. In most cases, adding a snowmelt system to your paved areas will mean starting from scratch. Heating elements and pads will be installed under the surface of the area you wish to have heated, and then pavers will be placed over the top of them. Ask your landscape designer if you are able to re-use your existing pavers when installing a snowmelt system, or if they recommend using all new materials for the best effect.
A control box will also be installed along with this system to help you monitor the use of your snowmelt system. This panel will generally be kept in an area that is easy for you to access, like in your garage, though you probably will not need to use it much, as the system is generally automated. The control system will use radiant heat in cycles to warm the pavers, helping to keep snow from building up in your most-traveled pathways.
If you dread winter every year, and want to create safer, easier to access walkways around your home during the snowy season, then ask your landscape professional about installing a snowmelt system. There are a number of different products available to help add radiant heat to your paved surfaces, so ask which one they would recommend for you. Make shoveling snow a thing of the past!
Related: QUESTIONS TO ASK TO KEEP A PROPERTY SAFE WHEN CHOOSING LANDSCAPERS NEAR ME IN BELMONT, MA
