Does Gutter Cleaning Help Prevent Ice Dams?

Gutters do more for your home than you might think. On a basic level all year long, gutters channel rainwater away from your roof and the foundation of your home. It’s vital to keep them clean without any debris, like leaves or sticks, blocking that proper flow of water. You may also be wondering if they can prevent other problems from occurring with your roof. Of course, they do. One of those problems is ice dams. Let’s look at what ice dams are and why preventing them is so important with the right maintenance for your gutters including having your gutters cleaned regularly. We are the premier window cleaning, home maintenance, and building restoration company with many locations across the United States to serve residential and commercial clients. With highly trained gutter cleaning crews, we can keep your gutters free from debris and functioning properly year-round. If you do end up with an ice dam, we also have ice dam removal professionals who are specially trained to safely and effectively remove them for you.

What Is an Ice Dam? 

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An ice dam is a large chunk of ice that forms on the edge of a roof. Obviously, this occurs in colder parts of the United States each winter that get a lot of snow and ice. The location of the ice dam is right above the gutter which prevents the proper flow of water from going through. This can cause all kinds of problems for your roof, including a backup that leaks water into your home and in the worst-case scenario, can destroy your foundation. 

Water leaking through a damaged roof can destroy walls, carpet, and other floorings. Plus, the water itself creates moisture in the home that can lead to mold and mildew problems which can be difficult to get rid of. Mold can compromise the air quality in your home leading to respiratory issues or other illnesses. Ice dam prevention is always the best policy, but if you do get them, we’re here to help.

Preventing Ice Dams Is Important 

Preventing ice dams is important for the health of your home. You can do this by making sure that the roof has proper insulation and venting. Sometimes when your roof gets too much warm air from your home that problem can contribute to the snow melting and refreezing into an ice dam.
There is an additional step that you can take to prevent ice dams. Getting professional gutter cleaning done by a highly trained crew will reduce the risk of a roof developing those dreaded ice dams.

How Gutter Cleaning Prevents Ice Dams

If your gutters are clogged with debris, it’s naturally going to trap water and snow. That water and snow can build up, refreeze, and lead to ice dams. Having your gutters cleaned twice a year, once in the spring and the other time in the fall is going to be your biggest step in preventing ice dam issues during the winter months. 

Clean gutters are important for other reasons too. Pests, insects, and rodents tend to make their home in gutters that have a build-up of debris. They create nests to cause clogging problems and infestations that could get into your home. 

What Happens During a Professional Gutter Cleaning

During a professional gutter cleaning, the staff at Squeegee Squad will clear out your gutters by hand. Then all downspouts will be flushed out so that the gutters are completely clear. We can also check for damaged gutters that are loose and repair those during this time. 

We do this process with special gutter-friendly ladders that won’t damage your roof or other exteriors. 

Call Us if You Have an Ice Dam Emergency

If you have noticed this winter that ice dams are forming on your roof, give us a call today. We also do emergency ice dam removal. With years of experience, you can trust at Squeegee Squad, our tools and expert knowledge give us everything we need to take care of those ice dams quickly. 

This is a residential maintenance project that has to be done with care in order to prevent damage to the siding, gutters, and shingles of the roof. Don’t worry because our highly trained crews have you covered this winter.

Schedule Your Gutter Cleaning Today!