The first response by worried homeowners is to call the gutter guard installation company and ask why this is happening.
Gutter guards causing ice dams.
Unfortunately these gutter guards aren t always the most durable or structurally sound.
Icicles and ice dams are more a function of roof insulation and ventilation.
Those living in the northern or mountain states understand the difficulties of dealing with ice and snow and the thought alone of ice dams is enough to send chills through any spine.
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.
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.
Why do gutter guards have problems with ice dams and icicles.
Gutter guard ice dams and icicles are the biggest issues if you are dealing with a section of gutter near an entranceway a stoop or above a garage door.
Gutter guards will prevent debris from getting in your gutters which can alleviate ice dams but they still often freeze during the year s coldest months.
This is especially true in the midwest and northeast parts of the country where record breaking snowfalls and unusually.
With a lack of insulation or heat source water will build around or on gutter guards even if the gutter system did not experience problems in the past.
If it doesn t rethaw the next day you have an ice filled gutter and conditions that start to cause water to build up behind the previously frozen thaw the start of an ice dam.
Before the weather drops there are a few things you should know about your gutters your roof.
Leaf guards that sit in the gutter or don t pitch with.
If you live in a climate that gets cold we ll go on record and say somewhere on your home your leaf guard will wind up with icicles on it.
Gutter guards do they cause ice dams.
This in turn adds to the ice sickle or ice dam and will cause it to grow.
If not properly taken care of the ice will begin to build up under the shingles which may lead to water damage in the home.
Watch out a common sign of water damage caused from ice damming are water spots on the ceiling.
This allows the thick heavy ridges of ice along your roof s eaves to form.
It s not that gutters and or gutter guards cause ice dams.
They don t as i ve written.
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.
The top 3 consumer leaf guard gutters complaints icicles ice dams.
Features you want in gutter guards with snow and ice.
This constant refreezing can cause ice dams and icicles to form along the gutters.
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.
