If you have gutters without gutter guards and icicles form, they typically hang from your roof shingles and drop into your gutters, making them tough to see.
A common misunderstanding is that gutter guards cause icicle formation. The truth of the matter is that icicles are actually caused by ventilation and insulation issues in your attic. When gutter guards are installed by LeafCo Gutters, you may see icicles more readily, but the guards themselves aren’t the cause of the icicles. Prior to installing gutter guards, icicles formed, but they were not visible because they were made inside your gutters themselves.
Wondering Why Icicles Form on Your Roof?
Snow and ice can cause serious problems when it comes to both gutters and roofing. Frozen water leads to costly damage. As a homeowner, you may wonder if clogged gutters cause icicles to form on your roof. They don’t.
Icicles are created when ice dams occur along your roof eaves. Ice dams are caused from the under layer of snow that starts to melt when heat leaks from your attic. When drips of melting snow move down your roof and meet the cold air along your roof eaves, they form an ice dam.
How to Prevent Icicles from Forming on Your Roof
Make sure your gutters are clean and sturdy before winter hits each year. Debris-filled gutters that freeze are tough to clean. They require hooks and supports before winter arrives to allow for water to flow through them in order to protect your home properly. Holes, warping, and cracks should be dealt with promptly throughout the year in order for your gutters to function properly.
Here are some simple ways to prevent icicles from forming:
Improve your attic ventilation
Ridge and soffit vents allow air to circulate and keep the air temperature inside your attic cool, and at a balanced level to help prevent icicles from forming on your roof.
Ensure you have adequate attic insulation
Help prevent icicles from forming by bolstering the insulation in your attic space.
Keep your gutters clean before snow comes. Be sure your gutters are free from debris to prevent ice dams from building up, and stop icicles from forming.
Seal any leaks around your chimney and vents
If warm air leaks from your home through your chimney or flue, the heat will warm the underside of your roof. Kitchen vents and dryer vents do the same thing and add damaging moisture to your attic.
Have your roof inspected regularly, and attend to its needed maintenance.
Damaged shingles and rotten soffits can increase the risk of structural problems once winter comes.
How to Know You Need Gutters
Are your sidewalks slippery?
As you know, slippery sidewalks can lead to dangerous falls. The good news is that you can prevent the safety hazard of slippery, icy sidewalks by installing reliable gutters and gutter guards.
Does your home tend to flood?
If your yard or basement floods, chances are that you can benefit from new gutters and gutter guards. Skip the hassle of flooding by ensuring that water drains away from your home with high quality gutters.
Have you seen mold or mildew growth on your roof shingles?
When water doesn’t drain properly off your roof, unhealthy mold and mildew can result. Avoid the trouble water retention causes by investing in replacement gutters.
Are your downspouts broken or damaged in some way?
Downspouts are a vital component needed to drain water away from your home. If they are damaged, they won’t function properly. Replace your downspouts so your gutter system will work properly and preserve the value of your home.
The Problem with Standing Water in Your Gutters
Standing water in your gutters can indicate a major problem, and it may be caused by improper gutter installation. Gutters are made to be set in place with a slight slope so water can flow through them to your downspouts. If your gutters aren’t installed with the proper pitch, water may stand in your gutters and cause further problems.
When leaves and other debris accumulate in your gutters and block the flow of water, they can cause moisture damage and eventually foundation troubles if you don’t address the issue. Likewise, if animals nest in your gutters, they can become completely clogged and create the problems standing water causes.
Remove any nests promptly, and your gutters should resume their normal function. If you don’t regularly clean your gutters and you don’t have them covered with protective gutter guards, an animal nest can literally create major problems with your home foundation.
Take time to clean out your gutters regularly or cover them with reliable Klean Gutter Guards to ensure you don’t create problems from foreign objects or any debris clogging your gutters.
Advantages of Seamless Gutters
The primary benefit of seamless gutters is their ability to protect your home from water damage. They offer you low maintenance because the risk of punctures at the seams is eliminated. As long as they are either covered by gutter guards or cleaned regularly, they won’t leak because they are seamless. Their attractive looks boost your home’s curb appeal.
LeafCo’s Guide to Common Gutter Problems
Learn more about all the issues you may face with your gutters in our handy guide.
Read the GuideReliable Gutter Guard Installation
At LeafCo, we install Klean Gutter Guards and Mastic seamless gutters. Homeowners love our 6” K-style gutters and specialty gutters like copper and steel.
Our installation team is respectful to your home. We leave the job site super clean, and we take extra precautions if you have small children or pets.
Protect your home with attractive, low-maintenance gutter guards. Minimize time consuming gutter cleaning and the risk involved in climbing a ladder to clean out your gutters. Get protective gutter guards and your gutters will stay clean automatically.
Learn more about our reliable gutter guard installation. Contact LeafCo today for a free consultation, and learn more about how gutter guards benefit your home gutter system and simplify your home exterior maintenance.
