Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply Company | Snow Melting Systems
Snowmelt Systems
Say goodbye to snow shovels, salt bags, and slippery sidewalks. A snowmelt system takes care of winter for you—automatically clearing paths and making cold-weather maintenance a breeze. It’s the smarter, safer way to handle snow and ice!
Benefits of a Snowmelt System
How the Snowmelt System Works
Boiler ➝ Pump ➝ Manifold ➝ Tubing ➝ Insulation ➝ Balance/Separation
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Boiler
Think of the boiler as the heart of the entire system. This high-efficiency unit heats a glycol solution in a closed loop. It fires up and gets the heat moving when sensors detect snow or freezing temperatures, so it doesn't waste energy.
The glycol mixture is key—it prevents freezing in the pipes even when temperatures drop well below zero. This antifreeze solution also improves heat transfer efficiency, meaning you get better performance while using less fuel compared to water-only systems.
Smart controls automatically adjust output based on real-time weather data, ensuring your surfaces stay clear while minimizing operational costs.
Pump
Once the boiler heats the liquid, a pump pushes it through the system, circulating the glycol solution from the boiler through the pipes and back again. It ensures that heat is delivered evenly and effectively to all areas of your sidewalk for consistent snow-melting power.
High-performance circulation pumps are specifically designed for snowmelt applications, capable of maintaining consistent flow rates even across large areas. Variable-speed models automatically adjust their output based on system demand, reducing energy consumption during lighter snowfall.
The pump's reliability is critical—quality units are built to handle the pressure requirements of extended runs and can operate continuously throughout winter storms without interruption.
Manifold
The manifold is the traffic controller for all the pipes beneath your driveway and walkways. It splits the warm liquid into different lanes and directs it to specific areas for balanced coverage.
Each manifold features multiple ports with individual flow control valves, allowing precise adjustment of heat distribution to different zones. This ensures that high-traffic areas or slopes receive adequate heating while preventing energy waste in less critical zones.
Modern manifolds also include built-in temperature gauges and pressure indicators, making it easy to monitor system performance and quickly identify any issues that may arise during operation.
Tubing
The tubing is the delivery system that carries heated fluid directly beneath your driveway surface. Flexible PEX tubing snakes back and forth in a serpentine pattern, spaced 9 inches apart for even heat distribution across every square foot.
The oxygen barrier coating is crucial—it prevents oxygen from entering the closed-loop system, which would cause corrosion in metal components like the boiler and manifold. This protection extends the life of your entire system.
PEX tubing is rated for decades of use and can withstand freezing temperatures without bursting, making it ideal for harsh winter conditions.
Insulation
Insulation panels installed beneath the tubing are your system's efficiency secret. These rigid foam panels direct heat upward toward the surface where it's needed, rather than letting it escape into the ground below.
With R-10 insulation value, these panels can reduce your energy costs by up to 40% compared to uninsulated systems. The pre-molded channels also make installation faster—the tubing simply snaps into place with perfect spacing every time.
Proper insulation means your system melts snow faster while using less fuel, paying for itself over the life of the system.
Balance & Separation
The hydraulic separator and balancing components protect your investment by managing temperature differences between the boiler and the outdoor tubing loops. Without this buffer, thermal shock could damage your boiler over time.
The separator allows the boiler and snowmelt circuits to operate independently at their optimal flow rates. Built-in air vents automatically remove trapped air bubbles that can reduce heating efficiency, while the drain valve makes system maintenance simple.
Balancing valves at each circuit ensure every zone receives the right amount of flow, preventing hot spots or cold areas across your driveway surface.
Products That Power Our Snowmelt System
We don't just sell snowmelt systems, we use them. The professional-grade components installed at our Midtown location have proven their reliability through multiple Detroit winters. Explore the same high-performance products we trust for our own business and recommend with confidence to yours.
