Now that winter is here, you might be stuck with ice in your gutters. Hopefully, you started out the season with cleared gutters, as ice is less likely to build up and cause dams if there is nothing in them when the temperature gets cold.
There are a few things you can do to get the ice chunks out of your gutters in a little time. First, check the downspouts for any blockages. Clear any debris from them. This will allow any melting water from the gutter ice to run off.
Remove any snow with a roof rake by pulling downward, in the direction the roof slopes. If you pull the rake in any other direction, you run the risk of damaging shingles.
Next, use a chisel, a large screwdriver, or the back of a hammer to chip away at a small portion of the gutter ice. Be sure to do this only after all of the snow has been swept off the roof. Just chip enough ice to create an area where water can flow. Be very careful here, as your gutter is already under much strain.
An optional step is to hose down the gutter with hot water. Of course, as the temperature outside gets warmer, the ice will melt on its own. But if you can’t wait that long, go the hose route. However, only use a hose with a spray nozzle that can produce hot water. Of course, the temperature outside must be warm enough that the water from the hose won’t freeze when it touches the ice in the gutter.
Finally, consider installing gutter guards and aluminum heating panels or mesh heating guards. These will stop ice before it solidifies. It can be expensive, but it would save you time and money each winter.
{photo by reegcmo}
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