The cold fall and winter months are fast approaching, and it is time to anticipate your home’s exterior needs. When it comes to your water drainage system, you will need to figure out how to prevent wintry weather from damaging your setup. Here are some tips for how to keep your gutters from freezing.
Clear Out Debris
Debris is one of the top culprits for frozen gutters. If there are blockages along the route, water will not flow freely through your gutters and out your downspouts. These blockages allow water to pool, and if it is cold enough, form ice. So, before the first snow or frozen rain, clear out your gutters from fall foliage and other debris.
Shovel Your Roof
Keeping your gutters from freezing is no simple task and this preventative method is not for the faint of heart, but it is essential for those living in frigid and snow-laden regions. If you have a large amount of snow simply laying on your rooftop, try climbing up there and shoveling excess snow off. This will prevent any roof damage from the heavy snow and keep your gutters clear from overwhelming amounts of melting snow.
Check Your Gutter Slope
Though icicles are a beautiful part of the winter wonderland, they are a danger to anything underneath. With the right gust of wind, they will chip clean off and smash on the ground, hurting anyone or anything below. That is why you must check your gutter slope. Any excess water that does not flow down the gutters and downspouts will build and flow over the gutter sides, forming icicles. Before it becomes a problem, check your gutter slope to ensure proper exiting water flow. If you notice stagnant or slow-moving areas, make necessary repairs before winter weather sets in.
Consider Salting
When it snows or ices, you may salt your driveway and sidewalk, but you should consider salting your gutters as well. The additional sodium chloride will ensure any ice or snow that accumulates in your water drainage system will melt and properly evacuate. Salting is a simple and passive way to prevent ice dams and icicles—once you lay down the salt, you just wait for it to do its job.
Knowing how to keep your gutters from freezing keeps your drainage system safe and properly flowing all winter long. If you are looking for gutter repair or gutter installation in Silver Spring, MD, reach out to our professionals here at Gutter Maid today.