A properly maintained gutter system prevents basement flooding and extends the life span of your roof. It also protects your home from pests and water damage while improving the aesthetics of your landscaping. The gutters on your roof collect rainwater from your downspouts and funnel them to the drain where they are directed away from your house. Clogged gutters trap ice and water that can cause roof leaks and other issues that are hazardous to your health and home.
Regularly scheduled maintenance with an expert such as Gutter Cleaning Schenectady NY is essential to preventing large problems like ice dams from developing and causing more severe and costly damage. Professionals recommend cleaning your gutters twice a year. This is especially important during fall, when gutters are most likely to be clogged with leaves and other debris. Once the debris is cleaned, you’ll be able to easily channel the ice and water away from your home.
Moreover, a clogged gutter may lead to the formation of ice dams that can cause significant structural damage to your home. The dams can tear off the gutters and loosen shingles, which then allow water to pour into your home and cause a host of other problems including peeling paint, warped floors and stained or sagging ceilings.
If you see icicles around the edges of your roof, that’s a sign that your roof has an ice dam. The ice dam is formed when water that has melted off your roof runs down into your gutters and refreezes at the cold edge of your roof’s eaves.
As the ice dams melt, they expand and back up under your shingles, which causes leaks in your roof. The leaking can lead to mold, mildew and rot in your attic.
Your roofing contractor will need to determine the cause of your ice dam in order to remove it effectively. The problem typically involves inadequate attic insulation or other underlying issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
To remove an ice dam, you need to get ahold of the ice before it starts to melt. One of the easiest and most effective methods for removing an ice dam is to use calcium chloride, such as Morton’s Safe*T*Power.
Fill tube socks with the granules and position them vertically over the ice dam, letting each sock hang an inch or two off the roof edge.
The ice dam will then melt as the calcium chloride flows down the sock and into the gutters below. After the ice is removed, you should have the resulting water run off your roof into your yard and down the downspouts to be safely collected in your drainage.
When you do this, it’s important to keep an eye on your downspouts to ensure that they’re not clogged with snow and other debris. This is an easy way to keep your gutters working as they should, and it will protect your home from water damage that can be expensive and harmful.
