Snow and ice are heavy and the weight of it in your gutters can cause serious damage to your current gutter system which will allow your home to be subject to water damage once the weather clears and everything starts melting. The problem that you run into is that after the heavy snow your gutter repairs and evaluation is too late. You also forgot to clean your gutters in the Fall so now there is even more weight in your gutter. This is why proper regular gutter maintenance is so important.
Below are some statistics from FEMA regarding snow and ice weight.
Range in Snow Weight – The weight of 1 foot of fresh snow ranges from 3 pounds per square foot for light, dry snow to 21 pounds per square foot for wet, heavy snow.
Ice – One inch of ice weighs a little less than 5 pounds per square foot, and 1 foot of ice weighs approximately 57 pounds per square foot. Ice weighs significantly more than heavy, wet snow per inch depth. In part, this is why it is important to prevent ice buildup on a roof structure and gutters. Ice dams are very heavy and dangerous.
This most recent snow fall is putting serious stress on your gutters and the fascia board that they are attached to. If your gutters are not properly secured or your fascia has begun to deteriorate due to the every day weather conditions your gutters can fall off. A fallen gutter that is not damaged is not as bad as a gutter that is hanging and bent. Once the gutter is bent it can not be repaired.
A yearly gutter maintenance check-up will alert you to any issues that may be going on with your gutters. Spring is around the corner and you might want to take the time to have your gutter system evaluated when you get your Spring gutter cleaning.
Check out more information on the importance of regular gutter maintenance on our website; keltomgutters.com
