Keeping Gutters Clean In The Wintertime Is Crucial, Here's Why

Cleaning gutters is a task that nobody really looks forward to. Frankly, it's kind of gross, but neglecting your gutters does more harm than good. With maintenance, you can prevent pests that may be attracted to debris and keep your gutters functioning properly. Most people clean their gutters in the spring and fall but if you live somewhere with snow then consider adding a winter clean to your to-do list, too. 

You may think that your gutters can't possibly get dirty during winter. After all, there's little to no debris like flowers, pollen, or leaves that could clog them. However, many people fail to consider the havoc that ice and snow can wreak on your gutters. For example, the added weight can cause your gutters to sag or even fall off. 

In addition, you need to watch out for ice dams or a buildup of ice in your gutters during the winter. One of the main causes of ice dams is poor attic ventilation or insulation. This causes snow or ice on your roof to melt and then re-freeze at the edge of your roof or inside your gutters. Once this happens, any additional water may remain backed up, potentially causing damage to your roof like leaks or running over your gutters to form icicles. These will further weigh down your gutters.

No matter what time of year, make sure to avoid common mistakes when cleaning your gutters like skipping out on ladder safety. That means you need to have a spotter present anytime you're up on a ladder just in case something happens. However, another big mistake people make when using ladders is extending themselves too far while cleaning. Reaching too far can throw off your balance so it's better to get down, move your ladder over, and go back up than take the risk. And since you're dealing with ice and snow, you should also wear rubber-soled or non-slip shoes to avoid any falls. 

During winter, your cleaning should focus on removing ice and snow with a device like a gutter scoop. If you have ice dams, you can follow these guidelines to safely remove them with salt pucks. But keep in mind that these aren't a long-term solution. To prevent any future issues, you should double-check your attic for any gaps in the insulation and properly seal it. Lastly, to tackle icicles, you can simply use something like a garden shovel to knock them off your gutters.

 Most importantly, take your time when cleaning your gutters; and, once they are free of debris, inspect them for any damage like holes, sagging, or rotting. Depending on the severity of the issue, you may need to address them right away, or just take note for early spring.