Gutter Issues You Could Face This Winter – And How to Fix

Photo Credit: Gutterglove® 

Problem #1: Clogged Gutters

A gutter’s job is to prevent damage to your home by diverting water away from it, and when gutters get clogged, they can’t effectively do their job. During the winter, falling debris, snowfall, and freezing temperatures significantly increase the chances of clogged gutters, which can cause serious damage to your home. It’s important to always clean out your gutters, especially after a major storm.

Problem #2: Leaks

While leaks and cracks can occur in gutters year-round, they’re especially problematic in winter. When gutters leak, water doesn’t properly drain away from your home. Instead, water runoff from clogged gutters can seep into the foundation or through the roof into the crawlspaces and cause mold and mildew growth, resulting in costly structural repairs and even health hazards.

Problem #3: Ice Dams and Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Due to improper attic insulation, ice dams can form in your gutters during freezing conditions, creating a barrier that prevents melting snow from draining properly. Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof. They can be particularly problematic if your gutters are already clogged with debris, further restricting the flow of water through the gutter system. Ice dams tend to accumulate during freeze-thaw cycles, when the snow melts and slides off the roof, then refreezes, adding significant weight to your gutters and increasing the risk of damage.

Problem #4: Excessive Snow or Ice Loads

Excessive snow or ice loads can strain your gutters because of the added weight. This can lead to cracks or gaps and eventually cause leaks, resulting in a host of other potential problems, including sagging gutters or even gutters separating from the fascia of your roof. To prevent this, make sure that your gutters are securely attached to the fascia.

Solution: Install Gutter Guards

These common winter gutter issues can be effectively minimized by gutter guards, which create a barrier over your gutters and prevent debris such as leaves, twigs, and pine needles from accumulating. Gutter guards help maintain clear water flow year-round, including during heavy snowfall or freezing temperatures.

Gutter guards also protect your gutters from collecting ice and snow and reduce the likelihood of ice dams by allowing the melting snow to drain away rather than pooling and freezing in clogged gutters. In addition, they help keep the weight of snow and ice evenly distributed, protecting your gutters from sagging or collapsing under the strain of winter weather. This proactive solution saves you time on cleaning and prevents costly damage to your home from water overflow, ice buildup, or gutter system failures.

The Case for Choosing Gutterglove®

At Gutterglove, we design our gutter guards as practical and reliable solutions to protect your home’s gutters against challenging winter weather. Our patented technology adds strength and rigidity, optimizes water flow, improves filtration, and prevents debris of all sizes from sticking—even during heavy snowfall or freezing temperatures. Our guards are built to withstand the toughest weather conditions, helping prevent issues such as ice dams, clogs, and gutter damage caused by the weight of snow and ice. With multiple products to choose from, you’re not just investing in a product; you’re investing in a solution that keeps your gutters functioning properly and protects your home throughout the winter months–and beyond.