Winter weather can cause significant damage to your gutters which can lead to expensive home repairs. As you will learn, most gutter damage can be avoided with a regular gutter cleaning and maintenance.
Ice Buildups and Your Gutters
When freezing weather sets in – any water trapped in your gutters will freeze. The key to keeping your gutters clear of any trapped water is to have them professionally cleaned. Typically this is done twice a year and in areas with significant winter weather – three or fours times a year may be needed.
When water turns to ice it expands and it can easily split gutter seams and joints which will leak or fail when warmer weather comes along. The weight of the ice and debris that is trapped in it, can cause gutters sag, bend, and even pull away from your house and fall to the ground (or onto someone or your car!)
Wind Can Cause Gutters To Fail
Winter winds can pull gutters and downspouts away from their mounting brackets and cause them to completely come off of your house. When this happens, there will be wood and roof damage and windows and doors can also be damaged. If there is ice in the gutters when this happens the damage can be significant.
Tree Damage
Wintertime is also when branches can break off trees due to wind and buildups of ice. Branches that seemed stable can suddenly, and without warning, snap off and come down onto your roof and your gutters. A branch falling from a tree can easily bend, snap, or break your gutters off of your house in a second.
Wintertime can be brutal on your gutters. The first and best way to help protect your gutters and your home is with regular gutter cleaning and gutter maintenance. We can help you keep your gutters free of debris, clogs, and trapped water as well as check for any maintenance issues that need to be taken care. We are here to help you care for your home and family and at the end of the day that’s the most important thing.
