In our last blog post, we talked about why gutters freeze and how to prevent them from freezing. Today, we’re giving you some helpful tips about what not to do when removing ice from the gutters, plus what you should do when your gutters are frozen.
If you need new gutter guards, which can help with frozen gutters, call Alamance Insulation and Gutters. We are happy to serve many areas in North Carolina, including but not limited to Burlington, Greensboro, Elon, Mebane, Durham, and Raleigh. We’re happy to help with all your gutter needs. Stay warm out there!
Here’s What Not To Do When Removing Ice From The Gutters
We’ll explain how to prevent frozen gutters from forming in the first place—but first, let’s take a look at what not to do when ice has already formed.
Pour Salt Directly On Ice: One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to defrosting frozen gutters is to use salt directly on the ice. While this can help to slowly melt the ice in some cases, it can do more long-term harm than good. Salt can corrode and damage gutters over time, which will only make your situation worse. Not to mention, it is going to be a very time-consuming method if you decide to go this route.
Using Salt Filled Stockings: Another commonly used method is a pantyhose filled with salt. The thought behind this method is to not allow the salt to damage the gutters by keeping it contained in the pantyhose. While this is a relatively safe method, it is going to take a seriously long time to get the job done. While it may be ok for smaller jobs, this is not going to be the route you want to take when dealing with larger ice problems.
Here’s What You Should Do When Your Gutters Are Frozen Solid
Frozen gutters are a common problem for many homeowners and there are many ways to deal with the problem once it’s happened. Take a look at some of the best ones here:
Use Hot Water: One of the easiest and most effective ways to unfreeze your gutters is by pouring hot water onto the ice. It is no secret that hot water melts ice, but getting hot water up to larger roofs may be a pain. A common method that is used by many who use this method is hooking up a water hose up to your hot water supply from your water heater. This will give you a constant stream of hot water that can be used to defrost the ice that is stuck in your gutters. For those who are dealing with a smaller, more convenient spot, a pot of hot water may be easier to use.
Use a Roof Rake: Ice dams can make frozen gutters harder to defrost as they only add another barrier of ice and snow that has to melt. To help reduce the chances of ice dams forming, use a roof rake after a snowfall to prevent ice dams from forming. A roof rake is an extended rake that allows you to knock down any built-up snow on your roof and keep ice from building up near your gutters. They can also be used to clear off any branches, leaves, and debris that have gathered on your roof that would otherwise fall into your gutters.