Heating and thawing outdoor areas are quite a tedious job. Ice is only interesting for some time until it becomes a nuisance through interfering with work. Well, you cannot lock yourself and wait for it to melt away. Thawing the ground by employing heaters is one effective way of approaching the issue. Ground heaters come in varying designs, each suitable for unique setups. Before evaluating the different options, you must first analyze your situation. Just how much area do you want to thaw? The site will guide you to an adequate machine. Additionally, check the temperature to ascertain the amount of heat and period required to clear the ice successfully. Below are some of the heaters that you can consider renting or purchasing for the job.

Propane Ground Heaters.

Propane heaters employ an open flame to eliminate ice on the ground. The heaters expose the ice directly to the flame produced, which consequently removes it. Such heaters require you to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of fires. They are ideal for construction footings, fence posts, grave plots, and utility projects. They are portable, and you can move them from one place to another within a specific site. Due to the direct flame, the heater takes minimal time to achieve the goal. They are user-friendly as only two people can set it up and get the job going. They are pretty affordable since one cylinder of propane can run up to 24 hours nonstop. You do not require electricity or generators to keep the machine running, thus an efficient thawing method.

Hydronic Glycol Heaters.

The second option, hydronic heaters, are also one of the suitable gadgets for this job. They are mobile, making it easy for movement within the area covered with ice. They suit industrial construction sites where contractors want to keep up their jobs during winter. Hydronic heaters employ a complex thawing method as the setup includes different items like a boiler, a hose, a lower fan, and insulated blankets. The first step is heating the boiler containing the glycol solution. The source of power is either propane or diesel, depending on your preferences. Lay the hose in an irregular pattern in two or three rows. Space the rows four ft apart for effective distribution of heat. Fit both ends of the hose to the manifold, thus forming a continuous loop. Carefully cover the hoses with the insulating blanket and the vapor barrier. Leaving any space will result in the hot air escaping reducing the efficiency of the machine. Release the glycol into the hoses and watch the magic happen.

Heated Blankets.

The last option is using insulated blankets. The manufacturing of the blanket employs an insulating top cover. The materials work conveniently to trap in any hot air within the blanket for a more extended period, thus removing the ice. The basket contains an internal matrix that steadily spreads the heat in the device. This approach is quite economical and also efficient. The banket is portable. However, you require a constant power supply to keep it functional. Electricity is the ideal option in this case. Spread the banket within the proposed location and attach it to power. The device will gradually charge, thus heating up and melt the ice away. There are different versions of thawing blankets for this task. It is vital to seek a professional’s help when making choices. They use a more direct and straightforward way of thawing but can also bring about inconveniences.

The different kinds of heaters use diverse methods to thaw the ground or cure concrete. The only way to ensuring you choose the best is by understanding your situation.