3 Great Gutter Snow And Ice Buildup Prevention Tips

12/24/2021 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for emergency winter storm repairs!

Is your gutter system equipped for the winter weather?

Winter has arrived, and many property owners will be looking to prepare for winter weather, including preventing snow and ice buildup in gutters.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties have seen severe damage from snow and ice buildup. Snow and ice buildup might not seem like a huge issue, but it will be when water begins to enter the property.

We've put together the following blog post to keep ice and gutter debris from accumulating this winter. By the end of the post, you will have learned three tips to prevent snow and ice buildup and how the professionals at SERVPRO can help if your gutters become damaged from a winter storm.

Winter gutter inspection

Property owners must have their gutters inspected every few weeks to ensure no debris is built-up during the winter months. When inspecting the gutters, the property owner should look for any signs of gutter system damage that might have occurred, including:

• Gutter system leaks
• Cracks
• Missing pieces

Gutter snow and ice buildup prevention tips

The best way to avoid costly repairs from overflow or damage is by being proactive about keeping your gutters clean before they get clogged with heavy snow, sleet, and ice accumulation. We recommend three tips below on how property owners can protect their gutters from snow and ice buildup this winter season.

Tip #1: Remove debris

Remove leaves and branches from gutters before the first winter weather event. Leaves will stay moist during the winter months and eventually accumulate to form ice.

Fallen tree branches can cause damage to gutters if they settle in the gutter or on top of it. To ensure that tree limbs do not clog the gutters, homeowners should make sure to check and remove them at least once a month.

Extra advice: Consider installing a gutter guard system that will prevent leaves, twigs, and other debris from clogging up the gutters.

Tip #2: Install gutter heat tape

Gutter heat tape can significantly reduce the amount of snow packed in gutter areas. Ice dams will form when too much water is sitting inside a gutter system, leading to water intrusion. Installing gutter heat tape will keep the water inside the gutter system warm and have proper drainage.

Gutter heat tapes are readily available at most home improvement stores, but professionals must install them for maximum performance.

Tip #3: Trim surrounding trees

Trees close to buildings can become heavy with snow and ice, posing a risk to the roof structure, including the gutter system. To avoid this, customers should check the trees around their property and remove any branches directly above the gutter system.

SERVPRO is here to help

We hope you enjoyed learning about the best ways to protect your gutter system from heavy snow and ice buildup this winter using the three tips stated in this blog post.

In addition to the three tips, we want our customers to know that they can contact our professional restoration company at any time if they notice damage to their gutters following a winter weather event. The professionals at SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties are here to help and have the availability to repair and replace a damaged gutter system. 

As well, our IICRC trained professionals will be able to assist in the cleanup and restoration process if a winter storm has damaged your home or business.

Please contact us if you have any other questions about preventing snow or ice damage this winter season. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.