There is always a lot to love about the winter season. With winter festivals, snowy mornings with a hot drink, what’s not to love? On the other hand, if it is an extremely icy and snowy season, well, that’s a different story. None of us love to look at the snow and ice damaging our homes. As temperature during winter drastically lowers, alongside heavy snow and ice, you can expect some maintenance problems. Often, gutters and roofs take the biggest hit from the influence of winter weather. Therefore, you have to know the basics of how snow and ice can impact gutters. In this article, you’ll find ways this can happen. By knowing the methods of snow and ice impact gutters, you’ll be able to prevent damages. Or hiring AM Roofing Company Dallas to do it for you, why not?

Snow and ice can impact your gutters, especially if they are clogged

It is a fact that snow and ice impact roofs, as well as gutters. The most common way of winter precipitations making damage to your roof is with heavy snow and ice dams. This can apply to your gutters, as well. As ice and snow melt and refreeze, there’re possible damages to your gutters. The reason is quite simple. The water from slowly melting ice and snow reaches your gutters before even getting to the ground. If your gutters are purged, you probably won’t have any potential problems.

But, if your gutters are clogged with debris, the water will probably refreeze, filling gutters with heavy ice. In such a way, ice can cause serious damage to gutters. Also, heavy ice can detach your gutters from the roof, destroying gutters, as well.

Don’t try eliminating ice or snow by yourself

If you think removing ice and snow from the gutters isn’t a big deal, you’re wrong. If you decide to do it on your own, you could end up making even more damage. Instead, leave it to the professional gutter repair near me. That way, you’ll avoid causing unforeseen costs for the gutter repair.

Ice dams are the most common way that ice and snow impact gutters

When snow and ice start melting on your roof, you can expect the appearance of the ice dams. Let’s explain the process of ice dams impacting your gutters. First, the ice thaws just enough to start acting like water again, yet it’s still cold enough to freeze. Then, when the water starts running down to your gutters or eaves, it refreezes and starts forming dams of ice. As this process repeats, soon enough, you’ll have some large and annoying ice dams. On the other hand, small ice dams can’t threaten your gutters. They usually end up as icicles, which many of us enjoy.

Protect your gutters from the impact of big ice dams

As we already explained, the small ice dams aren’t the reason for fear. But, the big ones are. So, you have to keep an eye on ice dams and get them off your roof. Because once they start getting too big, they can become too heavy for your gutters. This will result in the weight pulling your gutters away from the exterior wall and roof.

Prevent snow and ice from ruining your gutters

When it comes to prevention, be sure to keep your gutters clean. That’s the starting point. Even though snow isn’t typically a massive issue, it can carry a lot of minerals. Then, minerals can cause buildup in your gutters. Furthermore, excessive buildup leads to less flow, eventually causing blockages that lead to water shouting out onto your lawn. If that happens, you will be forced to solve a tripping hazard in a hurry. So, if you’re having trouble to keep snow and ice out of gutters, there’re ways to solve this problem. A simple ice melt based in magnesium will work. This way is overall the safest and fairly cheap, too. We recommend you avoid salt since it can damage your gutter material.

Snow and ice removal can also cause damage

It’s a fact the weight of ice and snow can cause damage to your gutters. Eventually, ice and snow can get them collapsing to the ground. But, it’s not rare that it’s exactly the snow and ice removal process that causes damage. Many people try cleaning them on their own. However, keep in mind that you can end up puncturing the gutter or scrape the ice too hard. That is the reason why hiring roof and gutter experts is always our recommendation. People with experience and knowledge will know how to remove the problems and minimize the damage. 

Stop snow and ice from impacting your gutters with timely reaction

Now that you know the ways snow and ice can negatively impact gutters, it’s easier. You’re in a good position to make a strategy on how to prevent snow and ice from impacting your gutters. At least, minimize their influence, especially when the hard winter comes. It is always preferable to take care of these kinds of issues timely. That way, you will have only a small maintenance fee, instead of a costly repair.

More great tips on how to prevent snow and ice from impacting your gutters

• Maintain your gutters regularly and timely. That means regular gutter inspection, cleaning of gutters and snow removal, if necessary. This is the best way to avoid expensive repairs for your gutters, roofs, and more.
• Don’t hesitate to contact the roof and gutter experts. They will know exactly how to prevent ice and snow from ruining your gutters.
• Finally, before winter comes, replace the damaged gutters. This procedure is quite easy and not so costly. Yet, it can eventually save you a lot of money and time.

The summary

The conclusion is to take care of your gutters before and during winter. Only then you will minimize snow and ice impact your gutters. Protect and maintain your gutters, so they could last for many years to come.