Deicing your gutters preserves your roof's lifespan and protects your yard and garden. Water can expand and pierce or dislodge your gutters from its placement. With deicing, you can preserve and ensure water doesn't overflow back to your attic or yard. Here are several ways to deice your gutters.
Quality heating cables that run the gutter system's length melts away ice buildup as snow melt reaches your gutters. These require expert installation, so consult a roofer to install your cables thoroughly and efficiently.
Hardware-sourced chemical deicers are effective if used properly. They can thaw ice by breaking down water's properties. Each deicer has its application method, so be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions for efficient deicing and to keep yourself safe.
You can install heat tapes by wrapping it around your gutter system. These tapes will generate heat to warm gutters and keep snow from freezing. It's affordable and easy to install heat tapes-unless you can't climb ladders confidently.
Roofers are the best way to deice your gutters. They have the knowledge, equipment, and tested solutions that can keep your roof from freezing and in good condition.
Helicon has a great article explaining how gutters play an important role in preserving your home's foundation.
When most people consider foundation issues, they automatically think about things like poor construction, changes in soil conditions, natural disasters, and termite infestations. However, one of the most common culprits actually involves poor drainage. Specifically, many homes suffer foundation issues as a result of problems with their home’s gutter system. If you’re unaware of the relationship between your home’s gutter system and foundation, then it’s time to educate yourself.
Water causes foundation damage when it is allowed to pool around the base of a property. Pooling water can saturate the earth along a home’s foundation. That wet soil puts pressure on the foundation. It can cause the foundation to push inward and crack, or it can cause basement walls to bow inward. When the soil dries, it puts less pressure on foundation. It can also erode away. The decreased soil pressure on the foundation allows the foundation to settle. That can upset structures like walls and chimneys, causing cracks, unevenness and leaning. If water continues to pool around the home once the foundation is cracked or weakened, it can cause flooding within the home, or mold growth in the home’s walls.
Gutters are your foundation’s primary defense against pooling water. Gutters catch water as it rolls off your roof and channels to a downspout. The downspout safely deposits the water a safe distance from your home or into a more extensive drainage system. When gutters are cracked, missing, pulling away from the home or clogged, there is a major risk to your home and your foundation. With a failing gutter system, the water that runs off of your roof each time it rains or when snow falls directly against your home’s foundation.
There are two types of erosion that indicate your gutter system is either not present, or not functioning properly. These erosion types can cause negative long-term effects on your home foundation.
Drip Line Erosion – This type produces an eroded area directly under the roofline.
Gutter Discharge Location Erosion – This type produces noticeable erosion around your downspout.
One way to prevent rainwater from eroding soils around the home foundation is to collect and direct the roof runoff away from the home using a well-designed and installed gutter system.
Water that falls from your roofline will decimate the soils surrounding your home foundation. We recommend that, if you do not have one already, a gutter system be installed to capture rainwater and direct it away from the home foundation with a sufficient gutter extension.
At Roper Roofing & Solar, we take care of your roofs and keep it in good shape to face the next storm. We also install high-quality solar shingles and panels for homes in your area. We're a certified GAF roofer who can handle any installation, repair, and replacement. Call us today to get started.
