Cause Of Ice Dams In Gutters

However gutters do help to concentrate ice and water in the very vulnerable area at the edge of the roof.

Cause of ice dams in gutters.

If snow and ice build up high enough in the gutter it can provide a foundation for an ice dam. Gutters do not cause ice dams. The havoc ice dams wreak. A gutter cover and gutter heating system prevent debris and ice accumulation.

People who tell you gutters cause ice dams don t know the science behind ice dams. 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. These large masses can cause your gutter system to tear down or other damages dangers to the surrounding areas. When an ice dam gets big enough melted water backs up behind it and seeps underneath the shingles.

If ignored ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof gutters paint insulation and interior drywall and other surfaces. In both cases the heat melts the ice on the roof. Different from normal icicles ice dams are large buildups of ice on your gutter. What damage do ice dams cause.

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. As gutters fill with ice they often bend and rip away from the house bringing fascia fasteners and downspouts in tow. This might mean adding more insulation fixing problematic chimneys or skylights and looking and addressing sources of escaping air. Contrary to popular belief gutters do not cause ice dams.

This can also prevent the drainage flow of melted snow and ice through your gutters which can lead to water damage. On some houses ice dams are a pervasive and damaging winter roofing problem but other houses may have no trouble at all. 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. We estimate that 75 of all ice dams originate in the gutter.

In order to separate fact from fiction and to make the right decisions for your home here s what you need to. Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter. Clogged gutters downspouts and underground drain tiles. Since roof heat leads to ice dams one strategy to prevent ice dams is to reduce sources of roof heating.

Then it will refreeze at the edge of the roof or in the gutter and cause the dam to form and potential damage as a result. When this happens they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage which can lead to ice dams and expensive damage to your home.