Winter always brings some complications to homeowners in Oklahoma City, OK. Ice causes all kinds of problems, whether it’s forming icicles on your roofline, causing gutters to warp or crack or creating ice dams on your roof. Ice dams can cause water to pool and flood over your gutters, potentially creating leaks on your roof or the sides of your home. Ice can also weigh down your gutters, causing them to detach and break. Downspouts in winter can definitely freeze and cause damage to your home in Oklahoma, OK. Here are some things you can do to keep your downspouts from freezing this winter.
Always keep your gutters clean
Chances are, some leaves will make it into your gutters even if you don’t have a tree growing directly next to your house. Leaves, twigs and other everyday debris can clog your gutters and cause water to pool, then freeze in your downspouts in winter. To keep downspouts from freezing, you should make sure to clean your gutters every fall before the weather turns cold. Removing leaves, debris and other buildup will prevent clogs and frozen water in your downspouts in winter.
Get gutter guards to help
If you have trouble remembering to clean your gutters thoroughly every fall, or if you just hate doing it, you should consider installing gutter guards. The experts at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK can help you install gutter guards that will keep your gutters clean and prevent your downspouts from freezing in the winter. There are durable protection systems that will last a long time and eliminate the need to dig dirt and other muck out of your gutters ever again.
Make sure your gutters are installed correctly
If you have older gutters or gutters that were installed incorrectly, they could be causing issues for your downspouts in the winter. Properly installed gutters will help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof because they will be adequately sloped. The correct slope of a gutter system allows rain to drain through the gutters to the downspouts. Gutters that are installed too flat won’t properly drain, causing water to sit and freeze overnight. If you have any questions about gutter installation, the experts at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK can help.
Consider using rock salt
Rock salt is the stuff you use to prevent ice from forming on your sidewalks. Many homeowners use it without realizing that it can also help them keep their downspouts from freezing in the winter. Sprinkle some rock salt in your gutters if you notice icicles starting to form, and you will get ahead of any problems you may have with freezing downspouts in the winter.
Get ahead of the problem
Hopefully these tips will help you to keep your downspouts from freezing in the winter. The best thing you can do, however, is have high-quality, long-lasting gutters installed by careful and qualified professionals. If you need new gutters or gutter guards, or if you have any questions about gutters, contact the team at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK today.
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