A Snow Melting Mystery in a Stairway
After two winters of reliable performance, Mr. Stephen noticed something troubling: the snow on his sidewalk and stairway wasn’t melting like it used to. At first, only the lower steps stopped working. Then the system failed completely.
The original setup included a 240V full-coverage snow melt system with two heating cables—128 feet and 342 feet in length. It was time to figure out what went wrong.
Diagnosing the Damage
WarmlyYours tech specialists Anatoliy and Slim arrived on site, along with a representative from the original installation company. It didn’t take long to uncover the issue.
On one of the lower steps, they found a section of exposed, melted cable—taped over and left unprotected in open air. The insulation was burned, clearly overheated—an indication that this section of cable was never properly embedded in mortar or sand. Just inches away, they discovered a cold lead improperly routed to the junction box, compounding the risk of failure.
Testing the relay panel confirmed the damage:
One cable had an open circuit
The other had shorted out
A review of the system’s history showed the lower steps had stopped functioning nearly two years earlier, meaning the problem had likely begun long before the full failure. Based on the evidence, the likely cause was installation damage during a previous stair repair, or an improper initial layout that left cable exposed.
PRO Insight: Why WarmlyYours Is Different
WarmlyYours doesn’t walk away when there’s a problem—we show up.
After the homeowner brought in a new contractor, Roman from OB Constructions, Slim returned to the site to oversee the reinstallation. With the stairs opened up, he provided:
Two replacement heating cables
Clear guidance on correct cable routing
On-the-spot coaching to avoid the previous installer’s mistakes
Slim also walked the installer through:
Why the overheating occurred
How to avoid damaging cables during future repairs
Best practices for radiant installations in concrete and paver stairs
This kind of hands-on support and technical guidance is what defines the WarmlyYours difference—especially when a system needs to go from failure… to flawless.
From Failure to Flawless
With Slim’s support, Roman and the OB Constructions team reinstalled the system correctly. The stairs were rebuilt, and both new cables—a 128’ and a 342’—were embedded properly with thermal mass to ensure safe, consistent heat transfer. No more shortcuts, no exposed cables, and no guesswork.
Thanks to proper installation and proactive oversight from the WarmlyYours team, the system is now fully operational again—ready to handle icy Midwest winters with confidence.
The homeowner finally has the peace of mind he expected when he made the original investment: a safe, snow-free path from street to front door.
Ready to Go Beyond the Fix?
Failures like this don’t just reflect installation issues—they reflect what happens when support ends at the sale. That’s not how we work.
At WarmlyYours, we’re there from the first quote to the final walkthrough. Whether it’s troubleshooting a system that’s been buried under concrete for years or helping a contractor build it back better, we stay involved until the job is done right.
Become a WarmlyYours PRO
If you’re a trade professional, WarmlyYours gives you everything you need to deliver successful radiant heating installations—plus the expert backup if something goes wrong.
Here’s what PROs get:
24/7 Tech Support—day or night, we answer the call
Free SmartPlans—custom installation and electrical layout design
Installer Certification Program—get recognized for doing it right
Exclusive access to the TempZone™ Ruler Cable
PRO-only pricing and promos
Dedicated account managers + real-time install support
Have a complex project or a repair that needs a second look? Reach out: pro@warmlyyours.com
Like this post? Subscribe for updates
Related Posts
