Cause Of Ice Dams In Gutters

People who tell you gutters cause ice dams don t know the science behind ice dams.

Cause of ice dams in gutters.

A gutter cover and gutter heating system prevent debris and ice accumulation. When this happens they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage which can lead to ice dams and expensive damage to your home. What damage do ice dams cause. This can also prevent the drainage flow of melted snow and ice through your gutters which can lead to water damage.

If people try to tell you otherwise either politely correct them or slam the door in their face and let them use the money they make from their revolutionary no ice dam gutter system to have a surgeon un flatten their nose. These large masses can cause your gutter system to tear down or other damages dangers to the surrounding areas. This might mean adding more insulation fixing problematic chimneys or skylights and looking and addressing sources of escaping air. Contrary to popular belief gutters do not cause ice dams.

Gutters at the eaves can also trap snow and ice. In order to separate fact from fiction and to make the right decisions for your home here s what you need to. If snow and ice build up high enough in the gutter it can provide a foundation for an ice dam. A cubic foot of ice weights roughly 60 pounds and when enough builds up on your gutter guards they may collapse into the gutter system.

If ignored ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof gutters paint insulation and interior drywall and other surfaces. As gutters fill with ice they often bend and rip away from the house bringing fascia fasteners and downspouts in tow. On some houses ice dams are a pervasive and damaging winter roofing problem but other houses may have no trouble at all. Gutters do not cause ice dams.

Since roof heat leads to ice dams one strategy to prevent ice dams is to reduce sources of roof heating. The calcium chloride will eventually melt through the snow and ice and create a channel for water to flow down into the gutters or off the roof. The havoc ice dams wreak. If necessary use a long handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position.

Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter. When an ice dam gets big enough melted water backs up behind it and seeps underneath the shingles. Then it will refreeze at the edge of the roof or in the gutter and cause the dam to form and potential damage as a result. However gutters do help to concentrate ice and water in the very vulnerable area at the edge of the roof.

In both cases the heat melts the ice on the roof. We estimate that 75 of all ice dams originate in the gutter.