Cause Of Ice Dams In Gutters

In order to separate fact from fiction and to make the right decisions for your home here s what you need to.

Cause of ice dams in gutters.

When an ice dam gets big enough melted water backs up behind it and seeps underneath the shingles. 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. In both cases the heat melts the ice on the roof. If necessary use a long handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position.

If ignored ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof gutters paint insulation and interior drywall and other surfaces. If snow and ice build up high enough in the gutter it can provide a foundation for an ice dam. 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.

Roofs leak on attic insulation. Gutters do not cause ice dams. Since roof heat leads to ice dams one strategy to prevent ice dams is to reduce sources of roof heating. Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter.

This might mean adding more insulation fixing problematic chimneys or skylights and looking and addressing sources of escaping air. We estimate that 75 of all ice dams originate in the gutter. Different from normal icicles ice dams are large buildups of ice on your gutter. 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.

People who tell you gutters cause ice dams don t know the science behind ice dams. Clogged gutters downspouts and underground drain tiles. Gutters at the eaves can also trap snow and ice. Contrary to popular belief gutters do not cause ice dams.

What damage do ice dams cause. A gutter cover and gutter heating system prevent debris and ice accumulation. As gutters fill with ice they often bend and rip away from the house bringing fascia fasteners and downspouts in tow. However gutters do help to concentrate ice and water in the very vulnerable area at the edge of the roof.

These large masses can cause your gutter system to tear down or other damages dangers to the surrounding areas. The havoc ice dams wreak.