As cold weather approaches, it’s time to start thinking about preventing common roofing problems associated with below-freezing temperatures. Gutters usually fall prey to damage because of their vital role in redirecting water away from the roof and foundation of your home. Their tubular makeup can also become a prime place for water to get trapped and frozen if they aren’t properly maintained. So what do you do if you wake up one day to find out that there is ice trapped in your gutters? Here are a few steps you can take before you call for help:
- Pull the ice off with a snow rake. Metal snow rakes are long enough to pull down ice and snow without you needing a ladder. Place the rake head at the edge of your gutter, then pull down toward the ground. Be careful as you scoop the ice and snow out. Try to be as gentle as possible to not dislodge the gutters.
- Throw deicer on it. For the best results, use a calcium chloride deicer. Salt can damage plant life and cause corrosion in Aluminum gutters. One DIY method is to fill some nylon stockings with deicer, throw it onto the affected area, and let the deicer to its work throughout the day.
- Beat the ice with a rubber mallet. If you can reach your gutters safely on a ladder, get near the blockage and gently tap the front of the gutter with a rubber mallet. Do this gently until the ice breaks apart. Be careful when you do this! Hitting the ice too hard can tear your gutter off. PVC gutters respond better to this method than aluminum.
- Let it melt in the sun. Virginia weather can be unpredictable from one day to the next. Sometimes, after a big cold snap, there can be a warm day that melts all the snow naturally. Before you get to work, check the forecast to see if nature will just do the job for you. This method is easy — and free!
Pro Tip: If you don’t see visible blockage in the horizontal part of your gutters, check the downspout. Ice may have built up in the downspout, not allowing water to flow down. Also, look for leaves, snow, and debris and pull them out as needed.
So You Got Rid of the Ice… For Now.
Don’t let your guard down just yet: if your gutters are clogging with ice, there is a flow problem. As you do your best to manage the ice situation, you need a pro to come over and find out the cause. Professionals like us at Noble Roofing have the experience and equipment to remove gutter ice safely and without causing damage to your roof. Ask us to come over and inspect the situation. We’ll do checks to make sure that three kiey risk factors are mitigated:
- We’ll check to see that your gutters slope downward, and if they don’t have the proper slope, we can adjust them.
- We can also clean your gutters safely. Clogs from leaves and debris is another leading cause of ice build-up. Doing this maintenance in the fall is important to prevent winter problems like this. Unclogged gutters allow melting water to flow freely, which won’t freeze and create ice blockage.
- We’ll also check your roof’s insulation. A well-insulated roof will prevent icicle formation on your gutters. If this is the problem, we can upgrade your insulation so that your home keeps warm air inside.
Trust Your Roof Replacement to Noble Roofing
Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.
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