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with wire mesh was poured. Two 25-foot-long, two-foot-wide mats were rolled out and a 1/2-inch layer of sand was placed on top to help secure them. The 2 ¾-inch-thick pavers in a variety of lengths and widths were installed and then bonded with Alliance polymeric sand. The steps and stoop required about 125 feet of loose heating cable provided by the same manufacturer as the mats. All the leads were then wired to an outdoor controller that auto - matically activates the system based on readings from its temperature and moisture sensor. As straightforward as the install seemed, Ingrassia was quick to offer some caveats. These included: • An extensive amount of planning the coverage, layout and amperage was vital to the successful install. • Since it is recommended to not test the elements for prolonged periods dur- ing or after the install, getting it right the first time is essential. • Utmost attention needs to be given to prevent crossing any wires, which could cause the heating element to quickly burn out once it's activated. • Caution needs to be exercised while cutting pavers so as not to cut the ele- ment wires as well. Some of the challenges on this project that had to be overcome included: • Their electrician had to upgrade the panel (when the project expanded to include the driveway the following year) to handle the increase of amper- age needed. Also, he had to install an expensive diverter that allows only one of three zones on the driveway to function at a time: rotating the zones for continued coverage. • During the install, the heating elements were left exposed several evenings, which caused concerns of vandalism. Each day the crew did a continuity test to make sure nobody cut the electric matting. If cut, the series would immediately burn out. • The hardest challenge according to Ingrassia is that the final test couldn't be conducted until a cold, snowy day happened, and working on any prob- lems in those weather conditions would have been difficult. As it turned out, no problems occurred. "With heated matting, we gave them a gift that keeps giving: never hav- ing to shovel again," enthuses Ingrassia. And as mentioned, the customers were so pleased that they hired his company to install a new heated paver driveway, which has already been completed. "We have been successful on these projects and sold one to a neigh- bor for her renovation starting in two months," Ingrassia says, then adds, "Bear in mind this improvement could make or break your reputation in the industry." Left: The mat manufacturer asserts that their product works with asphalt, concrete and pavers up to 4"-thick. For this installation, the pavers were 2 ¾"-thick in a variety of lengths and widths. Alliance polymeric sand was installed in the joints. One of the big installation challenges was cutting the pavers without cutting any wires. Middle: The radiant heat produced by the two lengths of mat under the middle of the sidewalk are able to melt snow even where the walk widens. Instead of mats, the steps and stoop were wired with 125 feet of loose heating cable provided by the same manufacturer. Bottom: The whole system is connected to a moisture and temperature sensing controller installed on the side of the garage but can be manually turned on ahead of time in advance of a storm. Electrical work was handled by Rich the Electrician. Once the driveway heating system was installed, the amperage load demanded an upgrade to the home's electrical panel. The sidewalk system is on a different circuit than the driveway system. Even with the upgraded panel, the driveway system had to be split up into three different zones. A diverter cycles through the zones so that only one is on at a time but effective results are still achieved. (Continued from page 30) 32 LC DBM DBM LC