Do Gutters Cause Ice Dams

People who tell you gutters cause ice dams don t know the science behind ice dams.

Do gutters cause ice dams.

This constant refreezing can cause ice dams and icicles to form along the gutters. If people try to tell you otherwise either politely correct them or slam the door in their face and let them use the money they make from their revolutionary no ice dam gutter system to have a surgeon un flatten their nose. It s not that gutters and or gutter guards cause ice dams. In both cases the heat melts the ice on the roof.

A cubic foot of ice weights roughly 60 pounds and when enough builds up on your gutter guards they may collapse into the gutter system. Then it will refreeze at the edge of the roof or in the gutter and cause the dam to form and potential damage as a result. However gutters do help to concentrate ice and water in the very vulnerable area at the edge of the roof. Gutters do not cause ice dams.

This can also prevent the drainage flow of melted snow and ice through your gutters which can lead to water damage. When this happens they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage which can lead to ice dams and expensive damage to your home. Contrary to popular belief gutters do not cause ice dams. Do gutter guards prevent ice dams.

They don t as i ve written. Clogged gutters downspouts and underground drain tiles. We estimate that 75 of all ice dams originate in the gutter. The havoc ice dams wreak.

If necessary use a long handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position. Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter. Different from normal icicles ice dams are large buildups of ice on your gutter. As gutters fill with ice they often bend and rip away from the house bringing fascia fasteners and downspouts in tow.

Gutter guards will prevent debris from getting in your gutters which can alleviate ice dams but they still often freeze during the year s coldest months this allows the thick heavy ridges of ice along your roof s eaves to form. Watch out a common sign of water damage caused from ice damming are water spots on the ceiling. The calcium chloride will eventually melt through the snow and ice and create a channel for water to flow down into the gutters or off the roof. In order to separate fact from fiction and to make the right decisions for your home here s what you need to.

Roofs leak on attic insulation. But if the combination of poor attic insulation poor ventilation and heavy snow causes an ice dam as so often happens you may rue the day you gave your gutters a hat.