Ice Issues

Don't let this happen to you. This picture shows what can happen to an open, uncovered gutter during the winter. A sheet of ice let loose from the roof, caught the gutter and kept on going. The gutter has pulled away from the fascia board and in one spot has taken the fascia board with the gutter. This shows just how much power and weight ice can have on your gutter sysytem. To help reduce damage like this from ice, consider installing The Leaf Terminator.

What we would like to address first is the myth that seamless gutter systems create ice. As we know, and want to inform you, gutters do not and will not cause ice. If you think about it, how can a gutter create ice? There is not a special feature in the gutter that makes them create ice; there is no refrigeration device in them. The cause of ice is either because of inadequate insulation, ventilation or both. Open, uncovered gutters are just at the wrong place at the wrong time and get the brunt of homeowners’ frustration and confusion when ice forms.

So, you are probably asking yourself—what is the true cause of ice? Well, it is actually quite easy to explain. Heat loss from your home to your attic area is the primary culprit of ice dams. The reason ice and ice dams form is because warm air leaks from the living space below. The warm air then melts the snow on the roof; this produces water. That water then trickles down to the colder edge of the roof. Once the water hits that colder edge, it freezes and produces ice. The snow that accumulates on the roof acts as an insulator. It traps more heat in the attic, which makes the roof warmer. This trapped heat melts more snow. The more snow that melts and the colder temperatures during the winter, means more ice at the eaves of your roof. And, there you have it, the true cause of ice. But, you are saying, what about the gutters?

This picture shows ice and snow that has formed above the open, uncovered gutter. Like in the description above, once the snow and ice start to melt it is going to drip on the front of the gutter and create icicles. The snow that is accumulated above the lip of the gutter itself needs to melt before the inside of the gutter can flow.

Here is The Leaf Terminator in action during the winter season. As you can see the ice is forming over the gutter. This is actually how The Leaf Terminator is supposed to work. If The Leaf Terminator were not on this gutter, all that ice that is sitting on the top of it would be inside of the gutter weighing it down. When warmer temperatures roll around, that ice will loosen up and slide off the aluminum cover.

Like the picture above, this picture shows The Leaf Terminator taking the brunt of the ice. The ice has built up on The Leaf Terminator and has begun to melt. The icicles that are forming on the face of the gutter are completely normal because the ice and snow has built up higher than The Leaf Terminator, when it melts the water has no place to go but over the gutter. The ice and snow has to melt down to base of The Leaf Terminator in order for the water to begin flowing in its perforated holes. We have stated it before, The Leaf Terminator will not stop your ice build up, but it will but the wieght of the ice and snow on the aluminum cover keeping it out of the gutter itself.

Again, The Leaf Terminator in action. This picture shows The Leaf Terminator with a 90 degree bend holding the weight of the snow. Remember, The Leaf Terminator can handle 1,200 pounds per square foot of snow/ice.

Gutters will not prevent your ice problem. Ice and snow will build up inside of your gutter; it is inevitable. The snow and ice will build up and build up; eventually that build up will become higher than the gutter itself. Once a warmer day rolls around, that build up that you see above your gutter will start to melt. Because the snow and ice is now higher than your gutter, it will begin to drip on the face of your gutter and the ground below. The inside of the gutter is full of ice and snow, so there is no place for that dripping water to flow. It will drip over your gutter, creating icicles, until the snow and ice accumulation melts level to the gutter and the inside of the gutter itself has a chance to melt and flow.

One way to speed up the melting process on your roof or inside your gutter is to throw calcium chloride tablets up there. Now, many people will tell you to install heating cables. We do not recommend this. Over time the heat from the cables will make your shingles very brittle, not to mention there will be a permanent burn mark on them. Also, heating cables, like any electrical cables outside in the snow, are fire hazards.

One fact that was not brought up in these explanations is the amount of weight that ice and snow has inside of the gutter. When ice and snow accumulate inside of your gutter the gutters become strained. The weight of the ice and snow can buckle the gutter, rip the gutter or even pull it from the fascia. Most of the time when a gutter becomes weighed down, it will take the fascia board with it as it tumbles to the ground. How can you help prevent the ice and snow from damaging the gutters in the winter due to weight? One answer—The Leaf Terminator.

The Leaf Terminator not only keeps debris out of your gutter, it helps in the winter, too. The Leaf Terminator is designed to handle 1,200 pounds per square foot of snow and ice. That translates to great news for customers who have extensive ice problems and want their gutters to stay attached to their home in the winter. But, please note that absolutely no gutter cover or gutter protection system can ever eliminate your ice issues or ice damage. Now, let us clear something up, The Leaf Terminator is designed to hold 1,200 pounds per square foot of snow and ice, but it does not warranty that the product will not become damaged because of the weight. No product on the market warranties against ice and snow damage. Their ideology, according to their warranty letter, is that “damage caused by conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer” are not under warranty. One such condition that they speak of is ice dams. Because it can handle 1,200 pounds per square foot of ice and snow, it is the only option that we can recommend to homeowners for a better chance of keeping their gutters secured during the winter months.

How it is installed is the reason why it can withstand the weight. The Leaf Terminator can either be installed under the first layer of shingles or a 90 degree bend secured under the drip edge. The weight that would normally be inside of your open, uncovered gutter is now on The Leaf Terminator. The ice and snow will build up on The Leaf Terminator instead of inside of your gutter. In fact, the installation of The Leaf Terminator actually strengthens your existing gutter system. Conventional gutters are secured to your fascia board with either hangers or large spikes. Since they are hung from a vertical surface, all of the weight is on the fasteners. The Leaf Terminator is secured to the roof sheeting and gutter lip; there are two points of contact for added strength. Now, because the snow and ice is on top of your gutter, what happens when it melts?

When the snow and ice melt off The Leaf Terminator, for the most part, the water will flow into its perforated holes. But, like we explained above with open, uncovered gutters, as the snow and ice build up and build up on The Leaf Terminator, it may drip over the product and the gutter onto the ground below. You will still get the ice, but this product will help to protect the gutter from the weight of it. The Leaf Terminator is made from aluminum and is installed with a pitch, which means that the ice and snow will slide off this product. Ice will accumulate on The Leaf Terminator and on a warm day the ice that has built up will slide off, usually in sheets. Again, The Leaf Terminator will not prevent your ice problem, no gutter cover will, but it will help to keep your gutter attached to your home during the brunt of the winter season.

That’s it. That is everything you need to know about ice and your gutters. We hope that this has cleared up any confusion about the issue. If you still have questions, please feel free to call our office and we will be more than happy to explain any of this information to you. Please remember, this winter season do not blame the gutters or gutter protection for your ice issues; your problem is due to inadequate insulation and improper ventilation.

©2007 Zach Lewis,
Lewis Construction and Seamless Gutter-L & D Enterprises