Do Gutters Cause Ice Dams

Clogged gutters downspouts and underground drain tiles.

Do gutters cause ice dams.

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. Different from normal icicles ice dams are large buildups of ice on your gutter. Do gutter guards prevent ice dams.

When this happens they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage which can lead to ice dams and expensive damage to your home. In both cases the heat melts the ice on the roof. We estimate that 75 of all ice dams originate in the gutter. Watch out a common sign of water damage caused from ice damming are water spots on the ceiling.

Gutters do not cause ice dams. 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. Since roof heat leads to ice dams one strategy to prevent ice dams is to reduce sources of roof heating. Gutters don t work quite the same in the winter.

People who tell you gutters cause ice dams don t know the science behind ice dams. Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter. If necessary use a long handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position. This might mean adding more insulation fixing problematic chimneys or skylights and looking and addressing sources of escaping air.

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. They don t as i ve written. 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. This can also prevent the drainage flow of melted snow and ice through your gutters which can lead to water damage.

A gutter cover and gutter heating system prevent debris and ice accumulation. These large masses can cause your gutter system to tear down or other damages dangers to the surrounding areas. 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. This constant refreezing can cause ice dams and icicles to form along the gutters.