If you live in the Pacific Northwest region, you would know how the rainy winter months can affect the rain gutters installed in your home. However, you might not know how to avoid such adverse impacts.
The best way of dealing with the issue of frozen gutters is its prevention! You must pick up some tips to prevent the gutters from freezing. First of all, you must understand why doing so is necessary.
Why are frozen gutters a problem?
Freezing up of the rain gutters tends to result in several problems. Damage to the roofing systems is the biggest danger. When the gutters are frozen, water from rain or melting snow does not flow down as it should and collects around the edge of the roof, where it freezes to form ice dams. That, in turn, traps water on the roof to cause leaks.
Problem is also created by the weight of ice in the frozen gutters. It leads to the gutters sagging or pulling away. The damage can make you dig deep into the wallet to pay for gutter repair or replacement.
You can keep such headaches and hassles at bay by taking proper measures to avoid freezing gutters throughout the winter. Here is what you can do.
Keep the slope of the gutter system right
Ideally, the gutter system is installed with a slight incline leading to the downspout. It is necessary for facilitating the easy downward flow of water. With time, the slope can get disturbed. Settling with age, knocking by heavy windstorms, and, sometimes, improper installation can make the rain gutters flat. Water will stand in these gutters and freeze.
You must get the gutter system inspected at the start of the season to check if the slope is correct and get it fixed if required.
Prevent clogging of rain gutters
Ensure regular cleaning of the gutters to prevent their clogging by leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris. Otherwise, roof runoff will pool in the rain gutters and freeze.
Keep the snow off the roof and gutters
You should not allow snow to accumulate on the roof or the gutters. After a night of heavy snowfall or after blizzards, you must get into action quickly to remove the snow. Whether you do the job yourself or hire professionals, take care that it is not delayed.
Have adequate roof insulation in your home
If your roof is not sufficiently insulated, heat will escape and melt the snow on the top. That results in roof runoff even on frigid days. The water quickly freezes in the cold gutters. Add enough insulation to the roof to prevent this.
If you want your home secured against water damaged from roof runoff due to rainfall or snowmelt, hire the experts at Tedrick’s Roofing for gutter installation. Call us at (206) 222-3150. We specialize in designing and installing custom-fit rain gutter systems in Auburn, WA homes. We are also glad to guide our customers in taking good care of their rain gutters.