Trench drains are an effective way to protect and enhance your property from surfaces prone to pooling water. Cement floors in your garage can be especially susceptible to issues with pooling water in the winter, where melted snow may be tracked in from various sources such as vehicles, snow blowers, winter boots and snow shovels.

During freeze-thaw cycles, or when a heated garage drains to an exterior drain, trench drains can freeze, preventing water from draining properly.

Water on a cold, hard surface will turn to ice when the temperature drops below freezing. Fortunately, a garage trench drain will remove the unwanted water and other liquids from your garage floor, avoiding unwanted icy surfaces and eliminating slipping hazards in the winter caused by pooling water freezing. The challenge in colder weather is that the pipes in the drains are prone to freezing, creating an ice blockage and stopping the water from draining as intended.

A Heat-Line self-regulating heating cable is an easy and reliable way to prevent a frozen garage trench drain.

When choosing a freeze protection solution, it’s important to understand the difference between self-regulating cables and the constant-wattage heat tape commonly found in hardware stores. Constant-wattage heat tape provides constant heat regardless of temperature, making it prone to overheating if not properly controlled. It cannot be used in dry plastic pipes, which may be connected to a garage drain, as it would overheat.

In contrast, Heat-Line self-regulating cables automatically adjust their heat output based on temperature, ensuring energy efficiency and preventing overheating. This makes them safe for use in both metal and plastic garage drainpipes which are intermittently dry.

Why Choose the EXT-T Heating Cable System for Garage Drains

In addition to being self-regulating, the EXT-T heating cable system offers unique features that make it ideal for a garage drain application. These features are crucial when choosing a heating cable for a garage drain, as many other options on the market lack these essential features.

The EXT-T heating cable system comes pre-assembled with a GFCI-protected plug-end and a self-regulating heating cable. The fluoropolymer outer jacket stands up to the harsh substances that may be found in a garage drain.

•  Special Outer Jacket for Harsh Substances
  • EXT-T has a fluoropolymer outer jacket which provides high chemical resistance against aggressive organics and corrosives such as oils, road salts, detergents and other substances that may be found in a garage drain.
• Approved for Wet Locations
  • EXT-T is fully safe and approved for use in wet locations, including water-filled drains such as garage drains.

Unlike many other heat tapes and heating cables on the market, Paladin and EXT Series cables are wet-location approved. This makes them suitable for use inside drain pipes, such as garage drain lines.

• Safe for Metal and Plastic Pipes, Even When Dry
  • Unlike many constant wattage cables and heat tapes, the EXT-T system is safe to simply lay in a dry garage drains without the risk of overheating or melting.
• No Risk of Overheating from Overlapping
  • If the cable overlaps itself, it will not overheat. In some garage drains, overlapping or looping in a dual run is necessary due to where the plug is placed.
• Insulation Optional
  • Simply placing the EXT-T cable in the trench drainpipe will work to create a meltwater path—insulation is optional.
• Durable and Reliable
  • The EXT-T system stands up to harsh conditions of ice and snow in a garage trench drain where others may need to be replaced frequently due to failure. It comes with a 5-year limited warranty, and a 10 year extended warranty is available.
• CSA Certified for Electrical Safety in North America
  • Many systems sold by large online retailers lack proper electrical certifications such as CSA, posing electrical fire risks and potentially voiding home insurance. EXT-T is fully certified by CSA for use in North America for drainpipe freeze protection.

EXT-T heating cable system installed in a garage trench drain

How to Install EXT-T in a Garage Drain

Installing the EXT-T heating cable system in a garage trench drain is a simple and effective way to prevent freezing and ensure a clear meltwater path. The system is factory-finished to length and comes with a 4 ft GFCI-protected power lead with a plug end, with the option to customize the power lead length if preferred. It can also be ordered as a cord set instead. Both plug end and hardwired options are available in 120V or 240V, and can be ordered in 5 or 8 watts per foot. To determine the best system for your needs, contact our team with your required length, and we’ll help you find the right solution.

Installation Steps

1. Order the correct system based on the length you need and your power requirements.
2. Lay the cable inside the garage trench drain and extend it into the exterior gravity drain. The heating cable will create a clear meltwater path, preventing ice buildup that could block drainage.
3. Install an optional rodent-proof end cap at the end of the drain for protection from rodents entering the drainpipe.
4. Ensure the gravity drain discharges above ground to prevent ice blockages at the exit of the pipe that could occur if buried. The EXT-T must extend all the way to the daylight opening, optionally a loop of heating cable at the daylight exit can be considered for additional freeze protection.
5. If your power source location requires it, you may need to loop the cable back on itself to extend into the garage trench drain — with EXT-T this is completely safe.
6. If using a system with a GFCI plug outdoors, make sure the outdoor receptacle is weatherproof and that the GFCI unit is protected from direct rain or snow.
7. An optional control device can be added to cycle the heating cable on and off, helping to save energy and reduce operating costs. This is especially useful for longer systems, which consume more power than shorter ones. Consult with Heat-Line for the best control device for your application.

With these simple steps, your EXT-T heating cable system will keep your garage drain flowing, ensuring meltwater and runoff drain properly even in the coldest conditions.