Icy gutters are not your friend. How does this happen, what kind of damage can it do, and how can you prevent it from happening? Since gutters are a vital part of your roofing system, keeping them maintained is a high priority especially in the winter when water can freeze quickly overnight and leave you with damaged gutters. This article will explain how gutters freeze and what you can do to avoid this winter nuisance.
Why Gutters Freeze
The main reason why water freezes in your gutters is because it gets stuck. If you have any debris in the downpipe are in the main part of the gutters, water can get trapped in these areas. Old leaves, pine needles, seed pods, and dirt can block or absorb water and cause it to freeze overnight. If it’s a small amount of water, you might get lucky and everything will melt away in the morning. However, when a large mass of water pools in your gutters and their downpipes, frozen water can cause enough internal pressure to make them burst. And, when water freezes, it expands to become 9% larger in volume, which is enough to break any object containing water. You could see this phenomenon when you leave a water bottle overnight in the car and the bottle bursts. The same effect happens with gutters except that you end up paying more money than just a dollar for a new beverage.
Prevent Burst Gutters
The best way to prevent frozen gutters and burst downspouts is to clear your gutters of all debris regularly. Depending on the type of gutters you have and how much debris tends to accumulate, you may need to clear it once a year, twice a year are even more frequently if your home is exposed to significant amounts of debris. Before the winter freezing temperatures hit, it’s always a good idea to clear out your gutters. This is the most critical time, especially after leaves have just fallen. It’s also good to do a periodic roof inspection in between your gutter cleaning so that your professional roofer can check out the condition of your gutters and see if they need an extra touch-up.
- Pro Tip: Cut your labor in half by installing gutter guards on your home. This will stop most debris from entering your gutters and reduce your maintenance frequency. You can also upgrade to seamless gutters for even more peace of mind.
The Seamless Gutter Advantage
Noble Roofing installs seamless k-style gutters, which are not only functional but aesthetically pleasing as well. Our gutters are made of vinyl, aluminum, or copper, all of which can accommodate any climate and adapt to the aesthetics of any home or building. We offer a variety of different materials and colors to choose from, so your gutters will perfectly match the aesthetics of your home. Leaks are virtually eliminated and every seamless gutter is specifically crafted to match the structure in which it will be installed.
Receive A Free Gutter Estimate Today
Make sure that your home is properly protected from the damaging natural effects by getting a high-quality, seamless gutter system. Give us a call today at (703) 404-0505 for an in-home consultation. You can also use our contact form while you are here on our website.