Do Gutter Guards Make Ice Dam Worse

It s not uncommon to notice or really pay attention to ice dams or icicles until after you ve gone through the expense of installing your mastershield gutter guard system.

Do gutter guards make ice dam worse.

Gutter guards do not prevent ice damming or icicles however they do prevent debris from entering into your gutters. No gutter whether protected by a gutter guard or not is immune to icicles forming or conditions existing related to ice dams. 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 completely normal.

If the gutter guards are not strong enough to withstand this weight they will buckle into the gutter system creating an obstacle. Ice dam solution is composed of 100 solid aluminum panel formed into 4 foot lengths by 4 3 4 inches wide with a specially designed channel that contains a 120 volt self regulating heat cable. 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. When this happens they fallen gutter protection actually cause a blockage which can lead to ice dams and expensive damage to your home.

Reverse curve gutter covers quickly freeze on the top and in the opening of the nose of the guard. Nor do gutters amplify the negative effects of ice dams in terms of the likelihood or severity of leaks into a home. It s not that gutters and or gutter guards cause ice dams. 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.

Many people are under the misconception that gutters cause ice dams or that gutters filled with ice can cause water to back up into homes. Gutters do not cause ice dams. When this happens an ice dam forms and causes potential damage to the home. Gutters have a tendency to collect leaves and other debris and that makes gutter guards an important part of your roof s drainage system.

They don t as i ve written. Gutters don t work quite the same in the winter. Whether they are plastic or metal gutter guards will freeze. These products are compatible with a variety of popular roof styles offering protection to gutters while adding value to your home.

Gutter guards in combination with the heating cables ken mentions in the video with prevent ice damming and icicles from forming on the home. 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. Before the weather drops there are a few things you should know about your gutters your roof and ice dams.