How to Protect Your Gutters from Heavy Icicles

How to Protect Your Gutters from Heavy Icicles
Snow and ice can cause a tremendous amount of damage to your home’s gutter system. If you live in an area where
winter precipitation is abundant, it’s important to consider all the ways you can protect your home and prevent that
damage. Here’s everything you need to know about how icicles affect your gutters and your home.
How Icicles Form
Although it is possible to see icicles on your gutters even without gutter guards, it’s far more common for them to form
when those guards are installed. Water that is chilled to below freezing can still be in its liquid form until it encounters
ice crystals. As melting snow runs into your gutter guard and encounters ice there, that ice accumulates over time and
begins to build up. The force of gravity causes icicles to form, and they really aren’t that uncommon. In fact, there are
some experts who say that if you see icicles on your gutter guards, it’s a good thing.
Solution #1 – Heated Gutters
If you have a problem with icicles that are becoming too large or too numerous for your gutters to support, one option
involves installing heated gutters or heated gutter guards that keep snow melted and prevent the buildup of ice in the
first place. These can be on the costlier side, but for many homeowners who live in places where ice and snow buildup is
common, they are well worth the cost. They’re electric in nature and they are usually hooked up inside your attic so no
cords or wires are present. You can turn them on and off as needed, too, much like heat tape used to insulate pipes
from extremely cold temperatures.
Solution #2 – Clean Gutters as Needed
Another way to prevent icicles from forming on your roof involves foregoing the use of gutter guards altogether and
keeping your gutters clear of debris. When there are leaves, twigs, or pine needles in your gutters, they help create
snow and ice blockages more frequently. This prevents meltwater from flowing through your downspouts as it should,
and in turn, you will notice icicles forming on your gutters. Keeping your gutters clean can help to alleviate some of
those icicles, but remember that even a spotless gutter is sometimes no match for very heavy precipitation. You may
find yourself having to physically remove snow buildup to prevent problems.
Solution #3 – Do Nothing

Finally, another option is to do nothing – but only if you have gutter guards installed, and only if the icicles are not
incredibly large and heavy. Most gutter systems can withstand some icicle weight if they are properly installed and of
good quality, so leaving them alone to melt on their own is a viable option. However, if you are concerned about the
condition of your gutters, or if icicles become too large and heavy, consider heated gutters or a snow rake, which helps
to remove some of the precipitation from your roof before it has a chance to melt.
Icicles on your gutters can be incredibly problematic or they could present no problem at all. It all depends on their size
and the condition of your gutter system. Fortunately, there are some products and tools that can help, but they aren’t
always necessary.