Although it’s always important to take care of your gutter system, the winter months are the most crucial for maintaining your gutters and downspouts. This is due to both the unique safety hazards caused by icy weather in addition to the risks posed to your home’s foundation by pooling water and expanding ice.
So, what’s the best way to maintain your gutters in the winter?
The most important elements to keep in mind are making sure your gutters are clear before the first frost, inspecting and adjusting your gutters and downspouts and fixing potential problems during the fall months, and, above all else, keeping safety at the forefront of your mind.
Maintaining your gutters might be a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Read on to find out more about maintaining gutters in the winter.
Clear Gutters Before First Frost
The single most important way to maintain your gutters while going into the winter months is to clear your gutters of debris before the first frost ever hits. The fall season tends to clog up your gutters with leaves, sticks, and other debris that can prevent water and snow from draining properly. If you’re DIY-ing your gutter maintenance, make sure you use a sturdy ladder and proper tools.
Use your hands to gently scoop out large debris, and spray out smaller particles with a hose. Spraying down your gutters with a hose can also help you inspect your gutter system for leaks before snow ever hits. If problems occur, make sure you install replacements before the first frost hits your area as well.
Inspect & Adjust Gutters & Downspouts
After you’ve cleared your gutter system of debris, the next step is to thoroughly inspect the entire system for leaks, cracks, rotting, and other damage, and also make sure all fixtures are secured tightly in place. This is also your chance to make any necessary repairs and replacements to your system. If required, shift the bottom part of the downspout to ensure that water flows at least 10 feet away from the foundation of your home.
Maintain the trees around your gutters to make sure none of your system may be damaged by falling tree limbs. Finally, consider wrapping your downspouts with heat tape for additional resistance to icy weather.
Safety First
When working on your gutter system, you should always uphold safety standards before anything else. Always have a spotter when you work on a ladder, and never use your bare hands to remove snow, ice, or icicles. Wear slip-resistant shoes, especially if the weather has already turned chilly. If possible, bring a tool (or several) to help you clear your gutters out so you don’t have to use your hands at all.
Hire a Professional
At the end of the day, if you’re not completely confident in your gutter maintenance technique, consider hiring a professional to help you prepare your gutters for winter. A professional can help to ensure that you aren’t missing anything, and you don’t have to put yourself at risk. It may feel like spending unnecessary money, but a professional may also be able to see issues that you won’t–which will save you money in the long run.
Related Questions
What Do You Do with Gutters in the Winter?
During the winter months, after the first frost, it’s still important to keep an eye on the level of ice and snow built up in your gutters and downspouts. If it backs up too much, consider pouring hot water into your downspout, or packing snow-melt ice around the exit holes. Keeping your gutters free from excessive levels of heavy snow can prevent them from bending or even breaking and save you money on costly gutter repair.
Do I Need to Clean Gutters in Winter?
Yes. Failing to keep your gutters free from debris (including heavy snow and ice) during any weather is important to prevent expensive damage.
How Do I Keep My Gutters from Being Damaged by Snow?
Installing high-quality gutters from the start is one of the best (and simplest) ways to prevent snow damage to your gutters. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your gutter system–or hiring a professional to do so–is the next best thing.
Summary
In summary, maintaining your gutters in the winter might be a lot of work, but it’s necessary if you want to prevent costly damage from occurring to your gutter system or even the foundation of your home. Heavy snow and ice build ups can cause your gutters to bend or break, and pooling and freezing water at your home’s foundation can cause deep cracks. Make sure your gutters are clear before the first frost hits, and always hire a professional home improvement service if you’re uncertain.
Home improvement contractors such as Excel Home improvement in Romulus help Michigan homeowners keep their homes secure and up to date. We specialize in roofing services, siding installation as well as repair and all things gutters. Our quality workmanship is our reputation and our referral business continues to grow. Michigan weather can be brutal on your home, so make sure it’s in check including your gutters. Call and schedule a roof inspection or gutter maintenance today. Free Estimates