Gutter Screens And 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.

Gutter screens and ice dams. But they can also keep out your friendly neighborhood ice dam guys tech when it s time to remove that giant ice dam from your overhang. Gutter guards you know those gutter covers that starving phone salesmen try to sell you every autumn. Some gutter guards work better than others and in many cases they might be a. 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. They re meant to keep out leaves pine needles and other flotsam. Why do gutter guards have problems with ice dams and icicles. When this happens they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage which can lead to ice dams and expensive.

Again gutter guards will help by reducing debris in your gutter and making it more difficult for ice dams to form but it will not prevent them entirely. Gutters have a tendency to collect leaves and other debris and that makes gutter guards an important part of your roof s drainage system. The best way to approach ice dams though is by putting in the work now while it s still fairly warm outside. One side effect of installing gutter guards on your horizontal runs is they can help to generate ice sickles and dams as water freezes during the winter.

No gutter whether protected by a gutter guard or not is immune to icicles forming or conditions existing related to ice dams.