Do I Need Gutter Protection Systems for Winter?

Your home is at risk during the winter months, so is it important to get gutter protection systems for the winter?

The cold weather brings all kinds of hazards for your roofing.

Wind, snow and rain all cause havoc, but did you know what kind of threat they pose to your gutter systems?

When the gutters are blocked or broken, your roof is at risk.

It’s vital to keep the gutters working, so here’s why you need to find gutter protection systems that work for your roof this winter.

 

How Good Guttering Works

When your guttering is in good condition, it will collect rainwater as it rolls down your roof, and direct it away from the roof.

Any water on your roof should collect directly in the gutters without pooling, so it will run down the downspouts and into the drains, away from your home.

They’re very simple but incredibly vital when it comes to the health of your roof.

 

What Happens When Guttering Goes Wrong?

There are several ways your guttering could be ineffectual or damaged, leading to further problems for your roof.

The most common issue is blockages.

If anything gets into your guttering and blocks it, water can’t drain off your roof properly.

In the worst cases, the water will gather in the gutters and overflow back onto the roof. When this happens, you’ll see that the water will:

• Seep under tiles
• Get into the roof timbers
• Cause rot and mold

If left unchecked for too long, then this can cause serious structural damage to the roof.

Ice Dams

In the winter, you’re also at risk of ice dams.

These happen when snow on heated homes melts and runs down to a colder part of the roof.

This is usually the guttering, where there is no building heat.

Once the runoff reaches the gutters, it freezes and creates the ice dam.

The melted snow will continue to run down the roof and reach the dam, where it’s blocked and will keep freezing.

This extra water that can’t get off the roof will cause problems, and damage the roof itself; which is why gutter protection systems are essential.

 

 

Causes Of Gutter Issues

So how do these problems start happening?

• Blocked Gutters: With blocked gutters, you’ll find that most often the blockage is debris such as leaves. These leaves find their way into the gutter after being blown in there by the wind. If they’re not removed, they build up and lead to the blockages as described above.
• Ice Dams: With ice dams, the most common cause is a lack of insulation in your roof. The heat from your home rises up and melts the snow, starting the ice dam in your gutters. Good roof ventilation will also help.

In some cases, if your guttering is very old or has taken a beating from the weather, it won’t be able to drain off water as well as it should have.

When this happens, it will lead to the issues described above.

 

Gutter Protection Systems to Consider

Now you know what you’re looking to avoid when it comes to your guttering, how will you protect it?

There are several ways you can ensure you won’t have any problems during the cold season.

1. Inspections:

Firstly, you’ll want to inspect your gutters.

Are they all in good condition? If there’s sections that are worn out or broken, now’s the time to replace them.

They’re not too difficult to change out, if you’re using a good guide. Ensure you’re using new guttering that’s the same material as the old one, so it will match up correctly.

If you’re replacing all of the gutters, consider using modern materials like uPVC. This will hold up for years to come, without rusting or cracking.

2. Check Blockage:

Next, check to see if there’s anything blocking the gutters.

It’s very easy to remedy the problem if there are blockages, as you can just take the offending debris out with your hands.

Be sure to check the downspouts too, to ensure they’re clear. To stop blockages happening again, consider installing a gutter or snow guard.

These are often brush style devices you insert into the gutter, to stop leaves and other debris falling in. It’s a cost effective and simple way to stop blockages from happening.

Types of Gutter Guards

There are several different styles of gutter guards other than the bush.

For example, you can get guards that are a fine mesh that are screwed into place over the gutter.

All have their pros and cons, so you’ll need to decide which one is right for you.

• As for preventing ice dams, the most important thing you can do is insulate your roof properly.
• You’ll want to call in insulation and roofing experts to carry this out for you.

Once this is done, much less heat will escape via your roof, so you’ll see that less snow melts off and causes these issues.

You can also look into adding ventilation to your roof, so the roof won’t warm up and cause melting.

These systems are often quite simple to install, but it’s usually best to again call an expert to handle it for you.

 

 

Take Care Of Your Gutters

All in all, it’s important to take good care of your gutters and find which gutter protection systems are best for you.

They’re a simple device but they play a vital role in keeping your roof in good condition. When they’re working properly, you won’t even think about them.

When they’re damaged though, they can cause a lot of problems that can cost you a lot of money in repairs.

Gutter Protection

Your gutter protection routine comes in two parts: observation and maintenance.

• Firstly, you’ll need to be observing your gutters on a regular schedule.
• Ensure that they’re intact, clear and free to drain as intended. If there’s anything that’s not working as it should, fix it right away.
• Next is the maintenance. You can take steps to ensure you don’t have problems with your gutters.
• Install insulation and gutter guards, and you’ll reduce the work you have to do on your roof in the future.

Follow the tips in this guide and you’ll never have to worry about your gutters or roofing this winter.