How to Stop Your Gutters from Freezing this Winter
Icicles might adorn the eaves of homes on holiday cards, but these pretty signs of winter are also a sign of frozen gutters that can damage your home. It’s time to take action now to prevent your gutters from clogging with leaves and other debris that can lead to frozen gutters and ice dams.
If you are looking for help with your roof or leaky gutters, be sure to contact the experts at Trusted Veterans Restoration. Our specialized roof specialists in Northern Virginia are ready to help!
WHY ARE FROZEN GUTTERS BAD FOR YOUR PROPERTY?
Frozen gutters are bad for your property because they don’t effectively let rain or melting snow and ice flow away from your home, thus increasing the risk of water damage, roof leaks, and even compromising your home’s foundation.
Ice dams are formed when melted snow doesn’t drain properly and pools up as water. When temperatures drop and water refreezes, it creates an ice buildup.
One of the most significant risks of ice dams is that the ice build-up will make the melted snow continue to pool up and flood over the sides of the gutter system, directly onto the sides of your house. If too much water stays on your roof for too long or continuously runs down the sides of your house, you risk developing roof leaks.
Additionally, as frozen water expands and collects, ice will weigh down your gutters and make them detach and pull away from your home. Not only do you need to have your gutters repaired or replaced, but you also put your home at risk of water damage.
6 TIPS TO PREVENT FROZEN GUTTERS
Preventing frozen gutters is far easier than having to deal with frozen gutters, downspouts, or even having to undergo a new gutter installation. Here’s how to keep gutters from freezing:
KEEP YOUR GUTTERS CLEAN
If you have trees in your yard or neighborhood, the chances are that some leaves will end up in your gutters. One of your annual fall tasks should be keeping gutters free from debris or hiring a professional to get the job done.
Leaves and debris can clog your gutters and cause water retention and ice build-ups in freezing temperatures. Consider a gutter system that includes gutter guards or gutter systems that are easy to maintain.
CONSIDER SALTING YOUR GUTTERS
While you’re up there, you can sprinkle sodium chloride into your gutter system—but don’t use the rock salt that you would spread on your sidewalks or driveways. Rock salt won’t prevent ice dams in frigid temperatures and can damage your gutters.
Adding sodium chloride instead can prevent ice from forming in the first place. Sodium chloride is a great way to keep gutters from freezing, but it also requires constant monitoring and maintenance.
MAKE SURE YOUR GUTTERS ARE SLOPED
Your gutters should have a proper slope to ensure that all water flows to your downspouts in order to prevent water from pooling up and freezing in the winter weather. The rain gutter slope will ensure that melted snow and water flow through your downspouts, while completely flat gutters can interfere with sufficient drainage.
CHECK YOUR ROOF INSULATION
If your roof is adequately insulated, the roof shingles will stay cold and prevent snow and ice from melting throughout the winter months and overflowing your gutters. Proper attic insulation will keep your house warmer during the winter season, cut down on energy costs, and prevent gutter freezing.
SHOVEL YOUR ROOF
You can also get a special roof rake or extended rake to remove snow from your roof before it can melt and overwhelm your gutters. This can be especially helpful if you get a heavy blizzard in the winter, as it reduces the overall burden on your roof while also protecting your gutters.
ROOF MAINTENANCE
If your roof is getting old, call in the experts from Trusted Vets Restoration for some roof maintenance or roof replacement. We can check and repair a wide range of roofing issues, including:
- Checking ventilation around eaves and ridge
- Capping attic hatches to reduce heat escape
- Identifying areas that need insulation
- Checking and repairing the flash around your chimney
- Adding sealant to electrical cables and pipe vents
Other anti-freezing measures include the installation of a heating panel or self-regulating cable next to rain gutters that frequently freeze to melt snow and prevent it from freezing again before reaching the gutter system.
Be sure to consult with roofing professionals in Northern Virginia who know how to treat gutters. At Trusted Veterans Restoration, we possess the expertise you’re looking for to address any issues with your roof. Contact us today!
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY GUTTERS FREEZE THIS WINTER?
Do This:
Seek professional help by contacting the experts at Trusted Veterans Restoration. While you could try to pour hot water up to your gutters or apply calcium chloride to melt the ice dam, it’s going to be time-consuming, awkward, and probably not all that effective.
Don’t Do This:
Do not try to break up the ice with a hammer. It’s dangerous for you and you could end up damaging your roof or gutters even more. You also shouldn’t try to melt the ice yourself with a blowtorch, hairdryer, or other heating elements. You could end up starting a fire.
