Gutter Guards And Ice Dams

Gutter guard ice dams people get really really angry when the gutter guard they install suddenly creates icicles when they never had them before.

Gutter guards and ice dams.

They hang over the gutter trough preventing leaves from entering the system and ensuring rainwater flows freely through your gutters. No gutter whether protected by a gutter guard or not is immune to icicles forming or conditions existing related to ice dams. Unfortunately these gutter guards aren t always the most durable or structurally sound. Ice dam solution is composed of 100 solid aluminum panel formed into 4 foot lengths by 4 3 4 inches wide with a specially designed channel that contains a 120 volt self regulating heat cable.

However in some cases gutter guards can actually be the cause of the ice damn in your gutters. In essence they extend the area of your overhang. The more feet of overhang on your roof the greater the potential for big ice dams forming. Not only do they work well but they eliminate constant damage from ice and snow.

There is no way for the homeowner to know if icicles will be small or quite large too many variables are at play every time it snows. They are higher in cost than conventional gutter covers but are the first choice in areas where ice and snow are a way of life. One side effect of installing gutter guards on your horizontal runs is they can help to generate ice sickles and dams as water freezes during the winter. It is a common experience for customers in northern climates to experience ice dams and severe icicle formation after installing gutter guards or gutter screens.

They don t as i ve written. It s not that gutters and or gutter guards cause ice dams. There are features that can be found on these products that actually protect against ice build up. The first response by worried homeowners is to call the gutter guard installation company and ask why this is happening.

But if the combination of poor attic insulation poor ventilation and heavy snow causes an ice dam as so often happens you may rue the day you gave your gutters a hat. Gutters don t work quite the same in the winter. Leaf guards that sit in the gutter or don t pitch with the roof are more likely to create a shelf for ice buildup to occur. This allows the thick heavy ridges of ice along your roof s eaves to form.

Heated gutters guards are the best choice as they melt any ice or snow immediately and never allow the ice dam to form. Why do gutter guards have problems with ice dams and icicles. Icicles and ice dams are more a function of roof insulation and ventilation. Gutters just allow the ice to crawl a bit further past the edge of your roof overhang.