Clean gutters in the winter: Since we clean gutters when the temperatures are above freezing, we typically suggest that cleanings occur during spring and fall. In regions where freezing does not happen, cleaning gutters in winter is not usually an issue.
If you live in a cold-weather climate within the U.S., such as the midwest, fall quickly turns into deep winter. For many of us, that means more time spent at home, cozied up with a hot cup of coffee, while avoiding the crisp winter air.
If you missed cleaning gutters in the fall, you might have an issue going into winter. These issues are not always evident in the winter because your gutter is frozen, but during the first thaw, they’ll show. The excess debris in your gutters will create an icy mess within your gutter system.
Winter gutter maintenance is just as critical as any other season. What makes the winter period worth discussing is the level of safety involved. To learn more about clean gutters in the winter, please continue reading.
SAFELY CLEANING YOUR GUTTERS DURING WINTER
If you are the type of DIY homeowner, and you’ve taken on the responsibility to clean gutters in the winter yourself, that’s great. We applaud hard-working Americans who want to dive in and work on cleaning and maintaining their gutters themselves. With that being said, DIY gutter cleaning is dangerous, especially in the winter. The key to gutter safety is to stay off the ladder and get professional help. However, if you plan to clean your gutters yourself this winter, please be aware of the following dangers, and note our recommended safety procedures:
- Remember that when you clean your gutters during the year, you’re likely picking out leaves, debris, and other matter with your hands. Although these leaves may be wet from rain, they are not frozen like snow and ice. Use a scooping device to fetch the ice and snow out of the gutters rather than your hand. Using your hand to retrieve snow leads to losing feeling in your fingers, which could make working on a ladder, or being on the roof more dangerous. And of slightly more minor concern, that type of exposure to snow and ice could lead to getting a cut on your hand if you are not careful.
- Furthermore, bring another object to chip any icicles off the rain gutter while you’re up there. Your tool doesn’t have to be anything too special, just a device like a small hand shovel will do. And remember, you don’t want to use your hands, even with gloves, to remove snow, ice, and icicles.
- With ice and snow in your gutters, you are likely dealing with it on the ground. Always use a ladder when attending to your gutters, and during winter, make sure to wear rubber-soled shoes to limit any slipping or sliding.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU CLEAN GUTTERS IN THE WINTER
If you follow the safety protocols outlined above, you can feel a little better about the position you’re putting yourself in to clean your gutters during winter. Once you’re up there, make sure to inspect each of the following:
- First, check for any apparent damage. Whether it’s a hole in the gutter, rotting, or a clog, make sure the damage gets noted and addressed immediately. This check should include cleaning gutters.
- Then, check to see if any water is pooling. You don’t want any pooling water in the gutter system because that means it is compromised. After all, gutters are supposed to make water flow out of the gutter system.
- Third, check to see if there is any seepage. Inspect all gaps and seams between the gutter and the fascia to see if water leaks.
- Once you’ve had a chance to audit all of these aspects of your rain gutters, it’s time to decide how you want to address any issues and if you need to clean gutters in the winter.
- Also, large trees can potentially damage your property during ice storms or high winds since the large branches or the tree itself can collapse over your house. Look to a professional to maintain and to plant trees that best suit your property. We highly recommend JoJacs Landscape and Mowing in the Wichita and surrounding areas.
GUTTER KING WICHITA: A TRUSTED FULL-SERVICE GUTTER COMPANY
What Can We Do in Freezing Temperatures?
- Fascia and fascia wrap
- Gutter & guard installations
What Can We NOT Do in Freezing Temperatures?
- Cleaning gutters (due to freezing, it’s too cold to clean gutters)
- Gutter guards on existing gutters (due to freezing, it’s too cold to clean gutters, which we do before installing guards)
- Repairing or resealing existing gutters
If, after you’ve identified all of the issues with your rain gutters, you’re concerned about fixing the problems yourself, call Gutter King Wichita at 316-680-6708 and we can clean gutters in the winter. We are a local full-service rain gutter company, who has worked on more gutter systems during winter than we can remember.
If the issue feels complicated, like one of your gutters has an ice dam, we would strongly you to give us a call. During the most challenging season, a complex issue with cleaning a gutter is a recipe for disaster, and Gutter King Wichita has insured professionals ready for urgent maintenance requests.
Call us to learn more about our seamless guttering services.