Why Should I Address My Gutter Problems In The Winter?

If you’re a homeowner, winter is a dreaded season for a number of reasons. Not only do you have to keep your walkways and driveway clear of snow, but you also have to winterize your home, insulate pipes, and prepare to expect the unexpected. This is a season of surprises, and for some, this includes winter gutter problems.

Winter gutter problems do arise, and in some cases, they should be addressed as soon as possible. Contrary to popular belief, there is no wrong time of year to address gutter problems, especially if the issues you encounter require immediate attention. Icicles frequently form around clogs when water is unable to safely divert away from your home, and ice dams caused by a loss of heat in your attic may spell disaster for your gutters. Instead of allowing the damage to remain, you’ll find tremendous value in quickly remedying the problem. Proactively addressing concerns may save your soffit and fascia from damage, and it may result in a repair instead of a replacement.

However, many gutter experts take a break in the winter. Why? Well, quite frankly, the warmer months present workers with additional opportunities to walk the roof and check for additional damages. However, gutter work can still be performed in the winter, and here are some of the perks that come with pursuing a winter job:

1. Your project will be completed fairly fast.
   As those in the construction industry have little to no work at this time of year, gutter maintenance projects can usually be installed and/or completed in a matter of mere days. This, of course, can take much longer in the warmer months when local experts are in the midst of their busy season.
2. Your existing gutters may be too small for your home, and wintertime will reveal this.
   Did you know gutters come in a number of sizes and styles? Especially in the case of older homes, it’s not uncommon to find that your home is equipped with the wrong style or size of gutter. If winter weather is taking a toll on your gutters, it may be because your gutters are inadequate for your home.
3. If you have ice dams, your installer may have a solution!
   There is nothing more frustrating than ice dams! While gutters do not cause ice dams, improperly installed gutters and gutter protection may create crevices at which snow and ice can collect, effectively making your problem worse. Removing poorly installed products will work wonders, but it won’t correct the issue if your home has insulation problems. Oftentimes, we recommend installing a product called heat tape or heat cable. This electric cable can prevent your gutters and other vulnerable parts of your roof from forming ice dams.
4. You can kiss icicles goodbye.
   Now, icicles can form for a number of reasons. However, many icicles form as a result of blocked gutters. When water cannot divert away from the house, it has to go somewhere. In the winter, it will divert over the gutter and will freeze, forming formidable icicles. Our install team uses a combination of ice-melting solutions and good old-fashioned elbow grease to melt and chip out frozen chunks of debris, effectively addressing even the most persistent winter clogs.

Spring, summer, and fall are the most common seasons for gutter work for one more reason… shingles can become brittle in the winter! Fortunately, if you avoid products that disturb your roof, this will not be an issue. As LeafFilter does not disturb your roof, we can install it even in the coldest months of the year! Schedule your free estimate today and eliminate winter gutter maintenance once and for all.