The best way to solve problems is to prevent them from happening. When it comes to gutters, there’s plenty we can do to stop freezing temperatures from wreaking havoc. As the start of the winter season draws near, take advantage of the last few weeks of fall. It’s much easier to do some work on your gutters now before it gets seriously cold. Use this checklist to prepare your gutters for this Winter season.
Winter Checklist: Preparing Your Gutters for Cold Weather
- Clean the Gutters – The debris in your gutters will accumulate and form large bundles that will become blockages when the winter weather arrives. Before the first snowfall, it is wise to clean this debris out of your gutters before the freezing temperatures can turn the debris into heavy ice dams.
- Make Repairs – Through the course of the year, wind and natural wear can leave your gutters in disrepair. The screws which hold the mounting straps to your house can become loose. This loosening of the screws allows your gutters to be blown by the wind, further exacerbating the loosening of the mounting strap and causing the gutters to sag or sway.
- Tighten screws – This will help to ensure your gutters are stable during the winter season. If the screws cannot be tightened, install a gutter hanger to keep the gutter stable until it can be properly repaired during fairer weather.
- Seal End Caps – Ensure that the seals around your gutter end caps are tight and effective. If you suspect them of dripping, don’t hesitate to repair or reapply the seals.
- Trim Branches – The ice of the winter season cling to everything they touch. This includes the branches of trees near your home. Even in Texas, enough ice can build up that it becomes too much for smaller branches to support. This causes them to snap and fall off. These branches might land in your gutters, causing clogs or damages. Once fall arrives, you should take time to trim tree branches from trees around your home to prevent this.
- Add Some Heat – Heating cables are a wonderfully helpful addition to areas of your home that are susceptible to the frigid bite of cold temperatures. Running a heating cable through your gutters is a clever way to prevent ice dams from forming inside of your gutters throughout the winter season. Heating tape is an alternative option for those who don’t want to run an extension cord to power the heating cables.
Let Us Take Care of Your Winter Checklist For You
Cleaning and performing any kind of maintenance with your gutters is dirty, hazardous work. Don’t forget to wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and boots with rubber soles as safety precautions. Or you can skip all of that stress and hire a team of professionals to do it for you!
If you live in San Antonio and you need help with your gutters, contact American Hill Country Gutters today. We proudly provide gutter repair and maintenance services in San Antonio and would love to help!
