Gutters are an important part of your home’s drainage system, and they must be kept clear to function properly. However, during the colder winter months, gutters can freeze over, making them difficult to clean, causing water to back up and potentially damaging your home. Below are some tips on how to keep gutters from freezing in colder weather.
Add Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride, or salt, can help prevent gutters from freezing by lowering the freezing point of water. You can add salt to your gutters by sprinkling it around the perimeter of your home or by adding it to a bucket of warm water and then pouring it into the gutters.
If you choose to use salt, be careful not to damage your gutters when adding salt, as it can corrode metal. If the metal corrodes, gutter repair in West Palm Beach may be necessary.
Use Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are covers that fit over your gutters and help to keep leaves, twigs, and other debris from clogging them. Gutter guards can also help to prevent ice from forming in your gutters by keeping the water inside from freezing.
When using gutter guards, choose a style that fits snugly over your gutters and is made of weather-resistant material. Professionals in gutter repair in West Palm Beach can help you select the best type of gutter guard for your home.
Install Heated Gutter Cables
Heated gutter cables are wires placed inside your gutters and run the length of them. The cables work by heating the gutters, which prevents the water inside from freezing.
Heated gutter cables are easy to install and can be found at most home improvement stores. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing heated gutter cables. However, if the gutter cables are installed incorrectly, gutter repair services in West Palm Beach will be necessary.
Slope Your Gutters
Gutters should be sloped so that water can drain properly. If your gutters are not sloped, water can pool in them and freeze, causing them to become clogged and damaged. This necessitates for gutter repair services in West Palm Beach.
You can slope your gutters by attaching brackets to the underside of your gutters and then screwing them into the fascia board. The brackets should be spaced so that the gutters are sloped at a rate of 1/4 inch for every 10 feet.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
It’s important to keep your gutters clean year-round, but it’s especially important in the winter. Debris in your gutters can cause them to clog and prevent water from draining properly. This can lead to gutters freezing over and becoming damaged. The best gutter repair services in West Palm Beach can prevent such issues.
You can clean your gutters by using a garden hose to flush them out or by using a small hand shovel to remove debris. If you have a lot of debris in your gutters, you may need to hire a professional to clean them.
Following these tips can help prevent your gutters from freezing in colder weather. You will also help extend your gutters’ life by keeping them clean and free of debris. K & B Seamless Gutters offers the best gutter repair services in West Palm Beach. We can help you choose the best type of gutters for your home and climate, and we offer a variety of gutter guards and heated gutter cables to help prevent your gutters from freezing. Contact K & B Seamless Gutters today for a free estimate!
