Your home protects you all winter long, keeping out the ice, wind, freezing rains and freezing temperatures. But your home also requires some protection during the winter months, to stave off damage from water and freezing temperatures. You don’t want to have your home thaw out this spring only to find that your home has suffered damage from winter’s brutal weather. One of the best ways to protect your home from the damage this winter is by caring for your gutters.
Winter Gutter Woes
You know your gutters shuttle water around your roofline, down your downspouts and away from your home. When winter temperatures plummet, however, your gutters are sometimes unable to do their job. When water freezes in your gutters, there are several problems you could encounter:
• Ice dams. Ice dams are among the most common winter gutter problems. Heat escaping your attic melts the snow and ice on your roof. As the water runs down the roof, it refreezes along the gutter line. Over time, the ice dam can build up, damaging your home and gutter.
• Sagging gutters. The water that freezes in your gutters over the winter also can cause your gutters to sag away from your home due to the added weight. Sagging gutters can damage your roofline, or the gutters can detach entirely from your home, creating a hazard to your home and any property or person that might be surrounding your home.
• Cracked or broken gutters. Everyone knows that when water freezes, it expands. If you have standing water in your gutters and it freezes when temperatures drop, the expansion that occurs when it turns to ice can cause the seams of your gutters to crack, rendering your gutters unsightly and ineffective.
Any of these wintertime gutter problems can lead to major problems for your home. When your gutters fail, water can be forced underneath your roofline or into your walls. The water can run down the sides of your house, rotting siding, or window or door frames. If failing gutters deposit water along the foundation of your home, the result could be a cracked or damaged foundation or a flooded basement.
Protecting Your Gutters and Your Home
If you haven’t positioned your gutters to protect your home this winter, you might notice water flooding in through your walls, ceiling or basement when warmer temperatures lead to thawing ice and snow. The best way to protect your gutters and home is by keeping your gutters in good repair and cleared from debris. Seamless gutters can help you avoid cracks and leaks, while stainless steel or copper gutters are made to be long-lasting to prevent winter damage. To lessen the risk of ice dams, standing water or leaks, keep gutters free from debris with regular cleaning. Finally, install gutter guards to prevent debris from entering your gutters in the first place.
If you notice that your gutters have been damaged by snow and ice this winter, call The Gutterman of TN! We can fit your home with new gutters, or install gutter guards to keep your gutters safe from buildup and debris.