Gutter Guards Causing Ice Dams

Why do gutter guards have problems with ice dams and icicles.

Gutter guards causing ice dams.

If it doesn t rethaw the next day you have an ice filled gutter and conditions that start to cause water to build up behind the previously frozen thaw the start of an ice dam. Features you want in gutter guards with snow and ice. Leaf guards that sit in the gutter or don t pitch with. They don t as i ve written.

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. If not properly taken care of the ice will begin to build up under the shingles which may lead to water damage in the home. This in turn adds to the ice sickle or ice dam and will cause it to grow. It s not that gutters and or gutter guards cause ice dams.

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. Gutters do not cause ice dams. This allows the thick heavy ridges of ice along your roof s eaves to form. It is a common experience for customers in northern climates to experience ice dams and severe icicle formation after installing gutter guards or gutter screens.

Unfortunately these gutter guards aren t always the most durable or structurally sound. Gutter guard ice dams and icicles are the biggest issues if you are dealing with a section of gutter near an entranceway a stoop or above a garage door. Gutters don t work quite the same in the winter. If you live in a climate that gets cold we ll go on record and say somewhere on your home your leaf guard will wind up with icicles on it.

This is especially true in the midwest and northeast parts of the country where record breaking snowfalls and unusually. Icicles and ice dams are more a function of roof insulation and ventilation. Those living in the northern or mountain states understand the difficulties of dealing with ice and snow and the thought alone of ice dams is enough to send chills through any spine. With a lack of insulation or heat source water will build around or on gutter guards even if the gutter system did not experience problems in the past.

Before the weather drops there are a few things you should know about your gutters your roof. Gutter guards do they cause ice dams. The first response by worried homeowners is to call the gutter guard installation company and ask why this is happening. 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.

This constant refreezing can cause ice dams and icicles to form along the gutters. Watch out a common sign of water damage caused from ice damming are water spots on the ceiling.