I have a valley in my roof right above my front entrance and step. The
eavestrough (which makes a right angle turn at that point) fills with ice
in the winter and then on mild days there is a constant drip onto my step
causing a winter-long icy and dangerous step.
I can't use salt on the step because it damages the concrete.

Does anyone have a solution.? I was thinking of resorting to a heated cable
in the trough so that it drains out the downspout rather than the valley.

Thanks

Wayne
Ottawa, ON

"Wayne Jones" wrote in message
...
I have a valley in my roof right above my front entrance and step. The
eavestrough (which makes a right angle turn at that point) fills with ice
in the winter and then on mild days there is a constant drip onto my step
causing a winter-long icy and dangerous step.
I can't use salt on the step because it damages the concrete.

Does anyone have a solution.? I was thinking of resorting to a heated
cable in the trough so that it drains out the downspout rather than the
valley.

That would help, of course but not being able to see the situation it is
difficult to suggest a better cure. Perhaps a diverter or some sort? More
pitch so it drains better?

Sounds like another "function follows form" scenario. I've seen valleys
dropped right into walls, necessitating bathtub roofing procedures. But
your situation_may_ have more to do with insulation/ventilation,
coupled with the design happenstance. Any neighbors with the same type
house near you with the same problem? Like Edwin sez, it needs seeing.
Tom

Thanks Ed for your reply.
I'm not sure what you mean by a diverter. Would this be an additional
downdrain? I don't know what better drainage would do if the water is
frozen. It drains just fine in the summer even in a deluge nothing spills
over at the valley where it drips in winter.

That part part of the roof may have poor ventilation but I think valleys are
always a problem.

The problem was aggravated last year when I changed my front porch so that
the steps were larger and extended out farther. Now the drip falls on the
middle step rather than the walkway at the bottom of the steps which wasn't
quite as serious.

Wayne
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
. ..

"Wayne Jones" wrote in message
...
I have a valley in my roof right above my front entrance and step. The
eavestrough (which makes a right angle turn at that point) fills with ice
in the winter and then on mild days there is a constant drip onto my step
causing a winter-long icy and dangerous step.
I can't use salt on the step because it damages the concrete.

Does anyone have a solution.? I was thinking of resorting to a heated
cable in the trough so that it drains out the downspout rather than the
valley.

That would help, of course but not being able to see the situation it is
difficult to suggest a better cure. Perhaps a diverter or some sort?
More pitch so it drains better?

Thanks Tom.
I will talk to the other neighbours on the street with the same house
design.

Wayne

"tom" wrote in message
ups.com...
Sounds like another "function follows form" scenario. I've seen valleys
dropped right into walls, necessitating bathtub roofing procedures. But
your situation_may_ have more to do with insulation/ventilation,
coupled with the design happenstance. Any neighbors with the same type
house near you with the same problem? Like Edwin sez, it needs seeing.
Tom

"Wayne Jones" wrote in message
...

Thanks Ed for your reply.
I'm not sure what you mean by a diverter. Would this be an additional
downdrain? I don't know what better drainage would do if the water is
frozen. It drains just fine in the summer even in a deluge nothing spills
over at the valley where it drips in winter.

That part part of the roof may have poor ventilation but I think valleys
are always a problem.

By diverter, I'm thinking it may be possible to have the water run to a
different part of the trough to avoid the freezing. A piece of aluminum
under a shingle perhaps. Not being able to see it, it may not be possible or
may make no difference. If the water sits too long it will freeze, if the
gutter is very cold and you have slow melt, it can freeze too. I'm just
thinking you can possibly move the point of the runoff.