ICE DAMMING

When the temperature drops below freezing, gutter and roof leakage can occur as a result of an ice dam. Melt water can back up under the shingles and flashing and can leak into the interior or behind the fascia and into the soffits. The major cause of ice damming in a home is your attic is too warm!

For more information on how to de-ice your roof, please visit our
De-icing Cable Systems page.

For information on how to create a waterproof barrier to minimize the effects of ice damming, please visit Grace Construction's
Frequently Asked Questions page.

Illustration by Bryce Lee

If the accumulation of snow is left on a roof too long and the temperature stays very cold the snow is melted from underneath (the attic) and refreezes as it goes to the lower area of the roof/gutter. When enough ice has formed at the soffit or gutter, it begins to dam the water from going off the roof, then it backs up and under the flashing or shingles and can leak behind the fascia or into your home.

COMBAT LEAVES WITH GUTTER PROTECTION SYSTEMS & GUTTER SCREENS

Colorado extreme weather can change dramatically. One moment it will be 70 degrees and sunny and the next it will be 25 degrees and snowing and blowing. Extreme fluctuating temperatures cause metal to expand and contract. Steel, aluminum and copper each have expansion coefficients. This expansion and contraction is one of the main reasons the corners on gutters will sometimes leak after time. The good news is that resealing by a professional is generally all that is required.

As a metal outside feature of your home, your gutter system is exposed to the elements and therefore must be maintained to operate and perform during the changing season. We suggest the LeafProof® gutter protection system or economical EZ LOCK gutter screens to combat leaves and debris in the gutters. This is the #1 reason for gutters to fail.

If you don't have a gutter cover then we suggest cleaning and flushing of the gutter and downspout system at least once in the late fall and once in the early spring. This will help to keep the gutters flowing in the cold winter months and clog free for the spring rains.