What to Do When Your Gutters Are Frozen Solid

Harsh Chicago winters often wreak havoc on the exterior of your home, with frozen gutters being a common issue. As water accumulates and freezes in the gutters, it can lead to cracks, detachment from the roof, or even collapse due to the weight of the ice. 

Managing frozen gutters poses a significant challenge, but here are some effective ways to address this problem:

What to Do When Gutters Freeze

Contact a Professional

Gutters that are frozen solid can be thawed out with professional treatment. Contractors have the right equipment and experience to safely and quickly remove the ice from your gutters. They can help identify any problems with your gutters—like cracks or leaks. And they can advise you on how to prevent frozen gutters in the future. The problem is, as soon as your gutters are thawed, and free from ice, they may freeze again within days if another storm passes through. 

Pour Hot Water on the Ice

If you are comfortable climbing a ladder and take proper safety precautions, this is a relatively easy solution to the frozen gutters dilemma: Simply pour hot water along the frozen area of your gutters until your gutters are free of ice. 

Wait It Out 

Breaking up the ice in your gutters can damage them and your roof. Roofing has a layer that protects it from ice buildup each winter, so as long as your roof is not leaking water, it’s generally safe to wait for your gutters to thaw out on their own. Waiting it out may not be the fastest solution, but it works over time. 

What Not to Do When Gutters Freeze

Pouring Salt on Frozen Gutters Can Damage Them 

Don’t pour salt on the ice in your gutters. It’s one of the worst things you can do in this situation. Here’s why: Salt eats away metal, causes rust, and can damage your gutters significantly. It can also stain your siding and harm landscaping. 

Hammering Ice Can Break Your Gutters

You could end up cracking your gutters themselves while trying to hammer down the ice from them. The force of a blow can break rivets and your gutters, causing them to leak or become so damaged they need to be replaced. 

Thawing Ice with a Heat Source Is a Fire Hazard

Don’t try to thaw your gutters with a blow dryer or other heat source—first of all because it’s a fire hazard! Secondly, a heat source could melt the plastic on your gutters and make them collapse. 

Why Gutters Freeze Solid

Debris Buildup 

Gutters get clogged when leaves, twigs, and asphalt granules cause a blockage that hinders water from flowing freely through them. Add a rain shower followed by freezing temperatures into the equation, and frozen gutters result. 

Snow or Sleet Accumulation in Your Gutters

If snow or sleet builds up in your gutters and freezes before they can melt and flow properly, trouble follows. And with the accumulation we can see in the Chicago area, this is a likely cause of frozen gutters. 

How to Prevent Ice from Forming in Your Gutters

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Maintaining clean gutters is a great way to keep them from freezing. Every spring, fall, and after major storms, with safety in mind, take precautions and climb a ladder to scoop out the debris buildup, leaves, twigs, and granules from your gutters so water can flow freely through them. Or, simply hire someone to clean your gutters. 

Install Gutter Guards 

Get low-maintenance gutter guards to safeguard your gutters from debris buildup in the first place. Skip the need to climb a ladder and risk a possible fall. Simply allow the gutter guards to shield your gutters from debris buildup and block the accumulation of ice and snow. With gutter guards, precipitation passes into your gutters and makes its way to your downspouts where it can be channeled away from your home. 

Safeguard Your Home from Water Damage with New Gutters Installed by Our Expert Team

Investing in new gutters and gutter guards creates the best long-term solution to ensure your gutters won’t freeze solid again. At LeafCo Gutters, we install premium aluminum Mastic gutters and durable steel Nordic gutters. We offer two high-quality gutter guard options: top performing KleanGutter and cost-effective Leaf Relief. Learn more about how our gutter replacement and gutter guard services can make your life easier by minimizing the need for gutter maintenance and keeping frozen gutters at bay!