Winter can be a beautiful time of year with all the snow and ice. However, while icicles hanging from your home or building might look pretty, they can cause damage to your gutters. The gutter pros at Coates Bros. has seen many cases where ice and snow damage to gutters could’ve been prevented, so they wanted to share some tips on what to look for and how to keep your gutters in good shape year-round.
1. Icicles hanging from gutters are a sign of ice damming.
When water runs off your roof and collects in the gutters and freezes, it creates an ice dam. This blocks any additional water from being able to properly run off the roof. This can cause leaks and improper water redirection!
2. Freezing gutters can be weighed down and cracked.
When water freezes, it expands. If that water is in your gutters, the expansion could cause the gutters to crack. Ice can also be very heavy, which will put stress on your gutter system.
3. Ice can cause downspouts to burst.
Just as ice freezes and expands in your gutters, it can also be extremely damaging to your down spouts. If downspouts get blocked with ice, they are likely to crack and burst. This can cause drainage problems that can lead to secondary damage such as foundation leaks.
What can you do to prevent winter gutter damage? Don’t worry, there are ways to avoid these issues! The most important one is to keep your gutters clean and free of debris before the bad weather hits. You can grab a ladder and pair of gloves to clear them by hand or hire a professional gutter contractor to do it for you; safety matters! Another way to avoid ice damming is to use heated cables on your roof. Make sure to install them before your roof is inaccessible because of snow or ice, and only install them when your roof is safe to walk on! These will help keep your roof warmer so the snow and water doesn’t freeze in your gutters, but keep in mind you may need the help of a licensed electrician for this option.
If you have more questions about keeping your gutters in good shape this winter, give our gutter professionals a call at 440-322-1343 or visit our website to fill out a contact form and receive a free estimate!