Homeowners in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and surrounding cities are anticipating more snowfall than average this winter. According to The Old Famer’s Almanac’s prediction for our long-range forecast this winter, our temperatures will be chillier than average, possibly resulting in more ice storms than we often get.
Ice can threaten a home’s exterior, from the roof to the siding and everything in between. One component of a house that works in overdrive all winter to protect a home from drainage issues is the gutter system. Ice can wreak havoc on a gutter system and even the fascia board. Keep reading to learn about the dangers of ice on your gutters and fascia board and how you can keep it at a minimum.
How Does Ice Affect Gutters?
Heavy snow can put excess weight on a roof and gutter system, chip paint, and even make the material corrode depending on a few factors like the material used and the condition of the gutter system. Ice is similar, damaging a gutter system quickly.
Ice can find its way into your gutter system in one of two ways: an ice storm or when stormwater or meltwater that’s already inside or on top of the gutters freezes. While snow presents dangers to a gutter system, ice is denser than snow, putting even more pressure and weight on a gutter system. This excess weight could put even more stress on an older gutter system or one that has previous damage, resulting in sagging gutters that can tear away from the home. This excess pressure can also put a strain on your home’s fascia board.
Ice dams are another way that ice can negatively impact your gutters. Ice dams are thick pieces of ice that form when heat produced from inside the home escapes, melting ice or snow inside of a gutter which then refreezes in frigid temperatures. It’s a neverending cycle during the winter months here in Colorado. Not only are they a nuisance to deal with, but they can also be very dangerous and injure loved ones or anyone who walks near the gutters, like delivery drivers, neighbors, friends, etc.
How Does Ice Affect Fascia Board?
The fascia board runs along a roofline and holds your entire gutter system in place, including the gutters and downspouts. Regardless of the type of fascia board you have installed, it’s responsible for supporting all of this weight and making sure they stay in place. They play a crucial role in protecting your home from drainage issues and need to be kept safe so they don’t warp or rot.
As previously mentioned, ice is denser than snow and can put extreme pressure on the gutter system and fascia board. Unfortunately, ice dams are common, and clogged gutters in the winter months almost always lead to thick ice dams that are very heavy. As mentioned earlier, heavy snow and ice can put excess weight on a gutter system, weighing down the fascia board and damaging them.
A fascia board can also be damaged by ice if the existing gutter system wasn’t installed correctly on the fascia or if it has previous damage. If a gutter system is inefficient, ice and meltwater from snow and ice could seep into the fascia board, causing rot over time. As you can imagine, the cost of replacing the fascia board is steep and requires that other home components be dismantled or replaced.
How Can I Protect My Gutters & Fascia Board From Ice Damage?
Ice damage is common here in Colorado, but fortunately, there are some measures you can take to protect your gutter system and fascia board. If you have half-round gutters or open-top gutters, ensure they’re clean and free of debris before our first winter precipitation each year. It’s best to clean your gutters at least two times per year, more if your home is surrounded by deciduous trees or pines that drop pine needles. Cleaner gutters will result in a smaller chance for ice dams to form.
Ice can still threaten your gutters and fascia even if kept clean. Older gutter systems may not be able to handle the weight of ice and heavy snow or may have damage from a previous storm. Gutter screens and filters won’t fully protect the fascia board either, as they have small openings that allow ice and meltwater to enter the gutter and find their way to the fascia board.
The best thing you can do to protect your gutters and fascia board from ice damage is to install the K-Guard System. Our gutter product has a curved hood that prevents ice damage to the gutters and fascia board, keeping them well protected from the elements. Only stormwater and meltwater can enter the gutter system through a narrow opening, so clogs are eliminated. Our gutters are also mounted in a way that will never void your roof’s warranty, something many other gutter installation companies in Denver can’t promise.
Contact K-Guard today to get the installation process started by scheduling your free estimate. K-Guard is the premiere gutter company in Colorado, providing a leaf-free gutter solution for homeowners for many years. We proudly install the K-Guard Gutter System across the state of Colorado including, but not limited to, the following locations: Denver, Colorado Springs, Littleton, Centennial, Aurora, Boulder, Castle Rock, Broomfield, Fort Collins, and so many more!
