When the weather outside is frightful, the inside of your gutters can be, too. Ideally, you can avoid any major clogs with twice-yearly gutter cleanings in spring and fall. But sometimes, come winter, your gutters can still get filled with everything from sticks to pine needles to dirt to snow to ice. And if nothing’s done about all that, your gutter system runs the risk of needing expensive repairs or a total replacement. If that happens, you’ll know it’s time to figure out how to clean your gutters in winter — and we’ve rounded up a few tips to help you do just that.
1. Check the Weather
For safety reasons, cleaning gutters amidst freezing temperatures is not recommended; even experts don’t typically offer gutter cleaning as a service during the winter months, especially if you live in states known for extremely cold weather.
Not only can freezing rain and snow make surfaces slippery and ladder usage all the more hazardous, but attempting to chip away at ice buildup in your gutters and icicles hanging from your roof can lead to serious damage — to your home and potentially to yourself.
So, before you decide to DIY it, ensure the temps are well above freezing and follow proper safety guidelines:
- Wear eye protection/work gloves
- Cover yourself in old clothing you don’t mind getting dirty (long sleeves/long pants)
- Wear rubber-soled shoes (helps prevent falls)
- Practice ladder safety (more on that next)
2. Safely Use Your Ladder
Remember this: It’s never a good idea to use a ladder when no one else is around. Anything could happen, especially in cold, wet seasons — you could slip and fall or get pinned underneath the ladder, for example. Practicing proper ladder safety means:
- Wearing rubber-soled shoes to help prevent slippage
- Having someone with you to spot you on the ladder
- Never climbing to the very top rung
- Ensuring your ladder is on a stable, flat surface
- Not using a ladder during an active storm
3. Defrost Any Ice Dams
An ice dam occurs when melting snow refreezes at the point where your roof and gutter system meet. If left alone, the extra weight it puts on both your roofing system and your rain gutters can cause some serious damage — we’re talking dislodged shingles, total gutter breakage, and consequently, leaks inside your home.
How do you know if you have an ice dam? The picturesque icicles hanging from your roof are one telltale sign. Other signs include water damage inside your home and ice collection on outside walls.
Rather than going at these blockages with an ice pick (that can cause structural damage, too), you can clear away excess snow with a roof rake or thaw the ice dam by pouring hot water over it.
Another idea? Fill an old pair of pantyhose or knee socks with ice melt made of calcium chloride (not that rock salt stuff, as that can corrode every part of your home’s exterior, not to mention make runoff toxic to plants and animals), and lay it on top of the clog. (Note: calcium chloride may also damage plants, so cover them to keep them protected as long as the ice melt is being used.)
If you live in a climate that’s prone to extremely cold weather in winter, you may want to consider a long-term preventative method, such as installing heated cables on your roof.
4. Clear Away Gutter Gunk
Just don’t tackle this job bare-handed; it’s imperative you wear gloves and use a gutter scoop. During the winter season, that buildup of leaves, dirt, and other debris will likely be frozen (or just about frozen), and on top of the regular detritus, there may be snow and icicles.
Not following the above advice could lead to frostbite at worst and cold, numb fingers and hands at best — which can jeopardize your safety on the ladder. Can you imagine slipping on a rung and trying to keep from falling with hands that can’t feel anything? No thanks.
If the clog is a small one, all you’ll need is a garden hose to clear it. And, perhaps this winter has been on the dryer side. If that’s the case, another option is to skip the ladder altogether and use a gutter vacuum, instead.
Another tip: Lay out a tarp underneath the gutters you’re cleaning, so the crud from the clogs you’ve cleared can land on the sheet and easily be wrapped up and thrown out.
FAQ About Cleaning Gutters in Winter
An essential element of regular home maintenance, gutter cleaning ensures these channels remain clear and able to funnel runoff from your roof through the downspouts, redirecting water flow away from your walls, yard, and your home’s foundation. Benefits of having clean gutters include prevention of:
-Water damage, gutter spillage, and gutter sagging
-Critters (and plant life) calling your gutters home
-Standing water, erosion, and foundation damage
-Siding stains/mold growth
First, consider calling in professional help for anything that requires installing things on your roof; it’s super dangerous to mess around up there if you’re a novice. The pro will evaluate your roofing system and gutters to help determine the best recourse. A few preventative options include:
-Installing heated cables
-Strengthening interior insulation
-Caulking/sealing any air leaks
-Cleaning clogged gutters before winter
Honestly, it’s not recommended if you live in an area with regular winter weather. Experts say the best times to clean your gutters are spring and fall, especially fall once the leaves have all tumbled from the trees.
Sometimes, though, winter gutter cleaning can’t be avoided — leaving a clog or ice dam to get worse is not a good look and will only lead to a need for gutter repairs. If you must clean your gutters in winter, make sure the temperatures have risen above freezing.
Now, if you live in a state that stays warm year-round (or at least doesn’t suffer from extreme winter weather), cleaning your gutters during the winter months shouldn’t be a problem.
When to Hire a Professional
Gutter maintenance is safest for homeowners to DIY when temperatures are warm and weather hazards are at a minimum. Otherwise, call in a gutter cleaning professional near you. Expert gutter cleaners have all the necessary tools and assistance needed to finish the job safely, and that includes climbing on rooftops as needed.
While you’re at it, have a tree care specialist evaluate any trees that are dying and may need to be cut down to prevent them falling. Or, enlist the help of a landscaping pro to trim any large trees with branches that hang over your roofing system and gutters, so they don’t break off under heavy snow, ice, and wind, and fall on your home.
Main Image Credit: georgeclerk / Canva Pro / License
