Preparing Your Gutters for Snowfall

Posted by guttermasterofne on February 11th, 2020

If you live in an American city where snowfall is to be expected in mid to late fall, now is the time to start thinking about the impact of that heavy snowfall on your gutters. Below are five important considerations that you need to be making right now to ensure that your aluminum gutter and your roof are prepared for the winters.

1. Clean your Gutters

It’s important that you take the time to clean your gutter system thoroughly before the first snowfall arrives in your region. This will ensure that as the snow melts and the resulting water flows into your gutter system will flow unimpeded. Depending on the temperature, it is possible for this water to freeze as it flows over leaves or other debris. Over time, this freezing can cause a complete clog in the gutter and lead to serious damage and then, you have to search for Aluminum Gutter Supplies Near Me.

2. Consider Installing Leaf Guards

If the prospect of scooping dead tree leaves out of your gutter system multiple times each year does not sound appealing, it may be worth your time and money to install superior-quality leaf guards. These are made of screen, mesh or foam and they fit either over or inside your gutters to keep everything but water out. A leaf guard does not eliminate the need to clean your gutters but makes the jobs simpler.

3. Check for Sagging Gutters

The next order of consideration has to do with the overall health of your gutter system. Find some time to look for areas where your gutters may be sagging rather than allowing rainwater to flow freely through the entire system. In the colder climate conditions, this can cause serious issues as pooling water starts to freeze. The weight of the built-up ice inside the gutter can cause it to come crashing to the ground, damaging not only your gutter but also your home. Repair any sagging gutters immediately through the help of Rain Gutter Replacement Near Me experts.

4. Install Snow Guards

If you live in an area where you experience several inches of snow all at once, it may be ideal to install snow guards by Gutter Guard Companies Near Me. These handy devices butt up next to the system prevent large chunks of snow and ice from avalanching off your roof and causing injury to those standing below or damage to the property below. Good quality snow guards can prevent mass amounts of snow from sliding over your gutters and effectively overloading them, which can have much the same effect as a sagging gutter.

5. Check Hangers and Brackets

Finally, before the first snowfall hits, take the time to walk around your home and look at the hangers and brackets that used in your home gutter system. If anything seems to be amiss, now is the time to call a gutter repair company. Such damages essentially compromise the gutter's ability to safely move water.