How to Keep Gutters From Freezing in Winter
It is important to examine your gutters to keep them from freezing in the winter. During the harsh winter months, your gutters and downspouts can freeze and form ice blockages. If your gutters do become blocked with ice, this can prevent water from draining away from your home and lead to costly damages.
There are strategies that a homeowner can use to prevent snow and ice from clogging the gutters and downspouts. If you can prevent your gutters from freezing this winter, you can avoid requiring emergency roofing services or roof replacement by a roofing contractor.
Know your options for preventing freezing gutters with the following tips!
Clean Gutters to Avoid Freezing
Gutters can contribute to basement flooding and building siding damage if they are not properly designed and maintained, so it is important to examine your gutters every year.
Debris such as leaves, branches, and dirt can block your gutters and downspouts. These blockages can accumulate snow and ice during the winter months. It is important to clean your gutters after the leaves have come off the trees and before the first snowfall.
Inspect your gutters and downspouts and detach downspouts to clean them. You may notice damages from frozen gutters that require new gutter installation. Long term damage from frozen gutters may require roofing services, roof installation, or roof replacement.
Insulate Your Roof
Excessive heat from the attic can cause snow to melt and refreeze on the roof. The water from the snow then refreezes and expands against the roof shingles which can cause damage.
Insulating the attic will prevent heat from flowing up to the roof. It keeps the roof colder, which prevents ice dams that cause water damage.
You can also insulate recessed lighting fixtures on your roof. Contact Trinity Exteriors for information regarding attic insulation, blown in insulation, and blown-in loosefill.
Use Gutter Guards
Gutter guards play a key role in keeping your gutters free of debris, which is important for the harsh winter months. A gutter guard operates like a filter on your roof that releases water while filtering out leaves and debris. This will prevent blockages caused by snow and hail and keep the water flowing away from your home.
Gutter guards can help avoid expensive repairs such as cedar shake roof repairs or metal roof repairs.
Invest in Heat Panels
Heat panels are a great idea for gutters that freeze every year. If you notice that your gutters constantly freeze, then heat panels can be a solution.
Heat panels span the length of the gutter to warm up your gutters and melt snow. Snow can pile up in the gutters and turn into ice, which can damage the gutter and downspouts.
Contact Your Gutter Experts in the Greater Twin Cities Metro Area
If you suspect your home has roof damage due to frozen gutters or want to prevent damage, contact our experts at Trinity Exteriors for complete attic insulation or roofing services! Call us today at 952-920-9520 or contact us online.