5 Tips to Avoid Ice Damage to Gutters in the Denver Winter

​Gutters are susceptible to ice damage during the Denver winter as the snow melts and refreezes. Water clogging and buildup can create dangerous conditions of falling ice projectiles. Beneath the build up and slush is a problem: structural damage.
Gutters are ambiguous until they're no longer doing their job. The cold winter locks you inside and you can only look onward as slush runs over the gutter edges. You curse yourself for not having done the yearly maintenance before the storms hit.
Got time? Here's what you'll do to avoid icy gutters before they're a problem.

Follow These 5 Tips to Eliminate Ice Damage In Your Gutters

​Ice in gutters cause a chain reaction of bad events:

• Ice dams
• Structural issues
• Detachments

You spent good money putting up gutters and the last thing you want is getting trapped in the cold making fixes. A bit of foresight can save you from a headache and expensive repairs. Do one (or all) of the following for your gutters:
1. Get the Ladder and Gloves
Ice dams happen because something is blocking the water flow and causing it to pool. Dirty gutters are the likely culprit with dead leaves and debris being the two culprits. Clean your gutters before the chillier months as a preventative measure.
2. Melt Away the Problems
Snow dormant on your roof melts and sends water and slush into the gutters. The home's insulation can keep your roof hot to melt snow faster and prevent build ups. The insulation extends heat to the sides, around gutters, providing the same benefits. 
Consider loose-fill fiberglass insulation or batts/blankets. Or, add heat strips with roof de-icing systems to stop ice build-up before it begins. You can apply these strips inside the gutter to prevent build-up, too!
3. Lots and Lots of Salt
Rock salt applied to your driveway will have the same ice melting effect in the gutters. Yet, try using this method as a last ditch effort as salty water is toxic to plants. Plus, salting may still cause build-ups in the downspout.
The process involves doing:

1. Check the structural integrity of the gutters
2. Make sure to patch leaks toward exposing the home
3. Divert the downspout away from plants to stop salting
4. Pour a liberal amount of salt in the gutters

Don't skip the patching and repairs as you don't want water run-off seeping into exposed areas. Other than that, use the method with caution.
4. Playing the Patience Game
The ice dam sometimes looks worse than it is. Getting up there with a chisel could pose dangers like slipping or accidental cuts. Wait it out and let Mother Nature run the course with melting the blockage. 
Your roof can handle quite a lot of snow build-up. Your gutters can, too. 
5. Upgrade with a Gutter Guards/Helmets
A gutter helmet or guard overlaps the gutter's gap. Water can trickle into the gutter but heavier objects -- like snow and hail -- will slide off. This reduces build-up and most icy occurrences. 
You also get the benefit of not having to clean the gutters with helmets!

When to Call Colorado Seamless Gutters
Give Colorado Seamless Gutters in Denver a call to help prevent ice damage in your gutters at (303) 447-1555..

​Our services include everything you'd need to stop icy build-ups or repair damaged gutters. Feel free to drop us a line if you have any question!