Important information
Ice Damming & Gutters
There has been a misconception that gutter causes ice damming. In fact, ice dams are formed onto the overhang portion of the roof, which is located close to the gutters. Thus it is easy to think that ice damming is associated with the position of the gutters. In some cases ice damming can be related to the gutters, however this will only occur if the gutters were improperly installed. In addition, ice dams can also be found on houses without gutters.
In Alberta, winter weather can be tough on our house, especially if we are not well prepared for it. One of the most common problems that we have been encountering during our winter is ice damming on our roof. Ice damming is known to occur when the snow from the roof slowly melts down and refreezes at the edge of the roof. This mainly occurs in poorly designed ventilation systems. The snow accumulated onto the roof acts as an insulator for the roof which traps the heat in the attic and increases the temperature of the roof. This temperature fluctuation of the roof melts the snow and water runs down the roof. Since the extremities of the house don’t heat up as fast, they are still cold by the time the water reaches the edge and gutter. The cold surface leads the water to refreeze and create a dam. As more snow gets accumulated on the roof, this process will continue and the dam will get larger, causing greater damage.
Preventing Ice Damming
We are recommending maintaining a consistent temperature between the roof and the eaves. This can be done by regulating the temperature inside the house, preventing the hot air from reaching the attic. Make sure to seal any leaks that air could filter itself to the attic. You can also upgrade the insulation in your house and add ventilation to the outside.
If possible, we are also recommending that you safely remove snow from the roof on a regular basis, or call a professional to do so.
Regular maintenance and check throughout the year will also help prevent clogged eaves and increase longevity of the material.
Gutter Guards
When the gutters are clogged and cannot drain properly from leaves and debris, the water flows back towards the house and/or falls to the ground. Water will inevitably leak into the roof and into the foundation of the house. Gutter guards can be placed on the eaves to prevent any leaves or debris from accumulating into the gutters. With the gutter guards, the water can freely flow down the eaves throughout the year.
Additionally during the winter season, gutter guards can help maintain proper function of the gutters. They are known to add extra supportive strength to the eaves and can support the weight of the accumulated snow.
Water Diverter
Wanting to recycle the water? Let us know and we will show you how to push the clip and change the direction of the water into your collecting barrel. It can also simply be switched to another direction for maintenance or gardening purposes.
Drip Edge
When the water starts leaking behind the eaves, the main reason is due to curled or short shingles. However, improper slope or clogged eaves can also cause the eaves to overflow and create water leakage.
To prevent water leakage, we are recommending doing regular maintenance and checking your eaves. It may also be time for new shingles? If you are still having water leaking with fairly new shingles and the gutters have proper slope and are clean, you may want to look into installing drip edges around your house. Drip edge can extend the shingle to ensure water runs off dripping directly into the eaves and not getting behind.