5 Winter Dangers That Cause Gutter Damage To Avoid This Year

If you’re a homeowner, it’s important to protect your house from the ground up. If you live in an area where winter weather is present, dangers can exist. One part of your house that could be threatened is your gutters.

This guide will go over the top five winter dangers that can damage gutters. We’ll also help you avoid any kind of damage done this year. You’ll need your gutters to be useful almost every day.

Even if you aren’t an experienced do-it-yourself’er, this guide will be easy to follow. Let’s get started.

1. Ice dams

Ice dams will form on the edge of your roof. Thus, it will create a dam (hence the name) and water to backup and eventually overflow your gutters. This water backup can freeze and expand to the point where it can cause your gutters to expand and eventually break.

Furthermore, the ice can also add in additional weight. To the point where it can be too heavy for the gutter to sustain itself. What’s the best way to prevent gutter damage from ice dams?

You want to make sure your gutter is properly ventilated and insulated. You may want to use a roof rake to ensure that you remove any snow or ice from the edge. Do this after new accumulations of ice or snow.

It would be smart to check the edges of your roof regularly. You might roof rake once and call it good. But it’s a recurring task to do.

As tedious as it may be, it can save your gutters. And better yet, it saves you time and money that would otherwise go towards repairing or replacing your gutters.

2. Heavy ice and snow accumulations

If you live in an area known for getting plenty of snow and ice each winter, pay attention. As this all piles up, it will add on more weight to your gutters. Your gutters can bend and will eventually break.

The simplest way to prevent this from happening is clearing off any snow, ice, or leaves in the gutter. Doing this on a regular basis can keep your gutters in good condition throughout the rest of the year. Once again, checking on these gutters including your gutter outlets on a regular basis will make the difference between one that will work for you and one that won’t.

3. Water damage

Water damage is a serious threat to your home. It can gain access to the home’s interior via your roof or walls. It can damage your structure and also any personal belongings you may have.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the structure of your home could face mold issues. Unattended water damage can and will lead to mold growth. It can grow so fast that it can harm the rest of your home’s structure.

This can lead to major repairs and renovations. All of it can cost you a ton of money. If you think a water leak is no big deal, think again.

A damaged gutter can lead to water damage. Because the water will have no other place to go. And your gutter is perfect for getting rid of any excess that may otherwise backup or leak into your home.

Don’t take any chances this winter and beyond. If you are reading this before the winter, make sure you inspect your large rain gutters. Check for any damage and repair it as soon as possible.

4. Strong winds

The presence of strong winds is possible. Especially when you are dealing with snow storms or blizzards. One of the first things you need to do is check to see if your gutters are secure enough.

Poorly secure gutters will get blown off if the wind is high enough. You want to make sure they are properly secure. It’s also important to check for damage as well.

If gutter damage does exist, there stands a chance that it will be hard to secure. Thus, it would be smart to repair it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could lose it altogether when ‘Old Man Winter’ unleashes his cold, hellish fury.

Then, you may notice that your gutter is missing. And that alone can be the worst thing you can ever experience in your home.

5. Freezing Temperatures

Winter and freezing temperatures go hand-in-hand. However, it’s the extremely cold temperatures that you need to watch out for. If you have a metal gutter, these temperatures get so cold, it can cause the material to contract (and even become brittle).

Temperature changes occur each day. When this happens, it can be stress on the gutters. You’ll need to clean the gutters regularly – regardless of what time of year it might be.

Before the winter, you’ll want to clean out any debris. This includes leaves, pine cones, or anything that may have been trapped in the gutters themselves. These things can build up and cause water to get backed up.

Make sure they are thoroughly cleaned before winter. One little obstacle can lead to great damage. Once you have cleaned them, double check to make sure you have everything.

If your gutters sustain damage, repair them as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’re risking potentially dangerous damage to the rest of your home. If the damage is severe enough, then it may be a good time to get them replaced.

Have a professional inspect the damage. They’ll make a decision based on their findings. Also, be prepared to pay for the repairs.

Final Thoughts

The winter months won’t be too kind to your gutters. But you can. Make sure you are aware of these five winter dangers so you can avoid gutter damage.

It may be a good idea to take preventative measures prior to the winter months. Your gutters should not be a forgotten part of your home.

Cleaning and maintaining them will be essential for water drainage. If it doesn’t work properly, water leaks will be possible. We hope this guide has been helpful in your DIY journey.