My Gutter Is Blocked With Ice & My Roof Is Leaking

Ice Dams

• Freezing rain can cause ice to form in your gutters, although melting snow is a more common source of ice clogs in rain gutters. Ice dams form when the snow on your roof warms up and begins to melt. The water freezes when the temperatures drop, forming bands of ice along your eaves or inside your rain gutters. As new snow begins to melt, the runoff catches against the band of ice, preventing the moisture from draining off the edges of your roof and out of your downspouts. The standing water against your eves can work its way into your house, often causing extensive damage to your ceilings and walls.

Causes

• Certain conditions can increase the risk of ice formation in and around your gutters. Failure to clean leaves out of your gutters in the fall and early winter can lead to clogs that cause the melting snow to back up in your gutters. Incorrectly installed gutters that don’t angle downward toward the downspout also increase the risk of ice dams in the winter months.

Prevention

• Remove the leaves and debris from your gutters during the summer and fall, especially when nearby trees begin shedding their leaves. Pull out any accumulated vegetation or trash to minimize clogs. Placing a leaf screen over the tops of your gutters helps keep the leaves out. Check the slope of your gutters by running water from a hose into the high end of your gutter and watching it emerge from the downspout. Water that backs up or fails to come out the downspout could indicate a clog in the enclosed area of the spout or the absence of a slope along the length of the gutter.

Repairing Leaks

• Consult a roofing contractor, unless you are experienced in roofing repairs. Working on a roof poses a hazard for average homeowners without special skills. Depending on the extent of damage, your roof might require patching with roofing tar and caulking. Extensive damage may require the removal and replacement of shingles, as well as the underlayment and roofing paper. Report any major damage to your insurance company for appraisal and reimbursement.