Did you know that in the last year, 88% of American homeowners had to make at least one major repair to their property?
While good home maintenance starts from the ground up, one of the most susceptible parts of your home is your roofing system. In winter, freezing weather can lead to roof and gutter damage, water-backups, and leakage.
If you live in an area with cold winters, you need to know how to prevent frozen gutters. That way, you can avoid having to make costly repairs further down the line. That’s where our guide comes into play.
Read on and learn more about the causes of frozen gutters and how you can prevent them this winter.
What Causes Frozen Gutters?
Where debris impedes drainage, gutters are more likely to freeze.
Because the ice and snow cannot drain, even when it thaws, it re-freezes and can form a substantial blockage. Even clean gutters can freeze in areas with heavy winter snowfall, sleet, or freezing rain.
However, both natural and debris-related gutter freezing can be prevented with the right strategies and products.
What Are the Risks For a Frozen Gutter?
When your gutter freezes, it is put under a lot of stress and pressure. The weight of thick ice, compressed snow, and overhanging icicles can pull your gutters away from your house, leading to expensive repairs.
Backups caused by ice-clogged gutters also lead to water penetration and roof leaks.
Rather than dealing with costly gutter repairs or a leaky roof, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to keep gutters clear of ice in the first place.
How to Prevent Frozen Gutters
There are various ways you can prevent your gutters from freezing in cold conditions. This is important to make sure that you’re avoiding future problems, but it also helps you be more proactive in the care of your roof and gutters.
Gutter Guards
A simple and effective way to filter out debris and avoid gutter blockages is to use a perforated metal gutter guard. They also operate as a barrier, preventing snow from filling and compacting in your gutters.
Check out these maintenance tips that every homeowner should know today.
Clean in the Fall
Cleaning your gutter in the fall will protect them from becoming clogged as the snow starts to fall. Usually, snow and ice will compress, melt and exit clean gutters.
However, if your gutters are clogged with leaves or other debris, the runoff can re-freeze into solid ice, causing a frozen gutter.
Use a Quality De-Icer
Salts are corrosive to metal. Thus, you should avoid using rock salt or other de-icing agents in your gutters.
Instead, in the fall, apply a thin coating of Magnesium Chloride to your gutters to prevent ice from forming. Magnesium Chloride is effective at low temperatures and is non-toxic.
Frozen Gutters: Prevention and Cure
So that’s the 101 on how to prevent frozen gutters this winter.
Preventative measures are the best way to ensure you aren’t left with costly repair bills and lasting damage from the cold weather. Our guide shows you how to maintain your gutters simply and effectively.
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