Ice Clogged Gutters

Wall and ceiling damage.

Ice clogged gutters.

Gutters can get clogged shockingly fast. An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof usually at the gutters or soffit. In the winter that same backup can freeze and result in ice dams which can damage the roof of your home. Do you know how to remove an ice dam.

In colder climates ice dams can form on the gutters or the lower edge of the roof causing water to pool and eventually seep into the home. This standing water can also damage piers in a house with a crawl space. Sometimes staying ahead of the game will save. Clogged gutters will only accelerate the process of ice damming and over flow when the gutters fill up with ice and snow.

Look for ice dams in the winter loose gutters broken downspouts and other problems during each inspection. Clogged gutters can also cause water leaks on the inside of your home. Trapped water can rot the wooden fascia boards your gutters are mounted to letting moisture enter your home. This water can then seep into the ceiling and damage the paint and the structure of the ceiling as well.

To keep the snow on your roof from melting make sure your roof is well insulated and that warm air is not escaping. If ignored ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof gutters paint insulation and interior drywall and other surfaces. Find out in this. Stagnant water around the foundation causes erosion which may weaken the walls and lead to cracks on the foundation.

When it forms the water then backs up behind the ice dam and creates a pool of water. This debris can obstruct the usually normal and smooth flow of water and make it slip down the drain on to the roof. More critically ice dams can cause meltwater to back up under the shingles where it can flow down and ruin ceiling and wall surfaces. And in the winter months ice dams can drive snow melt underneath your shingles.

Another way gutters are damaged from snow and ice is from bearing the excessive weight of a big snow fall. During warm weather clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to backup into the eaves of your home leading to water damage and rotten wood. Clogged gutters are caused because of the hoarding of the debris in the gutters. While ice dams can form on homes with clean gutters clogged gutters prevent water from draining which increases the chance for ice dams.

This pool of water can leak into your home and cause damage to walls ceilings insulation and other areas.