We’d like to tell you winter is almost over, but the truth is, here in Minneapolis we are still in the middle of what has been a long, cold one. The winter can bring along a decent amount of issues with it, and many of those involve things in or around a home. Gutters are sometimes the site of problems, and we’d like you to be aware of them so that you can prevent damage to your gutters as well as other areas that can be affected by them.
Icicles
These are not only dangerous because they can fall and cause injuries or even death in some cases but they can weigh down the gutters and damage roofing materials. When they break off, they might even bring a part of the roof with them depending on how large and heavy they are. Just the weight alone can cause gutters to sag and bend, meaning they won’t work properly to direct water flow.
Ice Dams
These are a common issue that homeowners in the Twin Cities are faced with. These ridges of ice that build up at the roof edge above the gutter can cause roofing to be pushed up and cause further issues with the inside of the home. This is because they melt and cause the water to leak into the roof and top of the home. This then causes water damage and mold to build up inside the attic space. Although the cause of ice dams is complicated and has a lot to do with attic ventilation and insulation, clogged gutters contribute to the problem. When water gets trapped in the gutters it will freeze, resulting in even more ice build-up.
Excessive Snow
Since we live in Minnesota, a state that sees a lot of snow, this is one of the biggest issues to think about. Fun fact: Minneapolis gets an average of 45.3 inches of snow each year, and we have over 100 days with at least one inch of snow cover. That’s more than one-fourth of the year!
This weight that is put on a home from all that snow and ice can cause further issues to happen in the house. You don’t want this to weigh down the roof and end up coming through. It’s important to take steps to limit snow build-up. But there’s also a problem when all that snow begins to melt on a warm, sunny day. Your gutters may not be able to handle all that water at once, especially if they are already bent or clogged with leaves and debris left over from the fall. Water can leak behind the gutters, rotting the fascia boards.
Winter is hard on our homes here in the Twin Cities, and gutter problems often arise. But when you do the proper maintenance throughout the year on the home, and you stay up on snow removal, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about any of these issues. Clean the gutters, reduce the chances of ice dams by having adequate attic ventilation and take down icicles when they are noticed.
Call us if you need further help with gutters. It’s a good idea to give them a good inspection as a part of your spring maintenance, and then get them repaired or replaced before the heavy spring rains start. Window Outfitters, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota home improvement company serving the greater Minneapolis area, and gutter installation and repair are part of our services.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
