Snow VS Gutters : Are Your Gutters Prepared For Winter?

Montgomery County Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban

October 1, 2025

Preventing Ice Dams In Gutters

January 30, 2026

Published by Tony Waldron on January 26, 2026

-SNOW VS GUTTERS-

ARE YOUR GUTTERS PREPARED FOR WINTER WEATHER?

We hope you’re staying warm and safe during this cold winter season. With forecasts calling for heavy snow and freezing temperatures, it’s a good time to understand how snow and ice impact your gutter system, and steps you can take to ensure your gutters are prepared for winter weather.

Snow may look light and fluffy, but as it piles along the roof and gutters, it becomes extremely heavy. That added weight puts stress on the gutters, mounting brackets, and the roofing eave, especially when the melting snow is not able to drain properly as it thaws.

Common Gutter Issues We Encounter During Heavy Snowfall

GUTTERS PULLING LOOSE OR SAGGING
ICE ACCUMULATION NEAR DOWNSPOUTS OR DAMAGED GUTTERS
DOWNSPOUTS BURST OR SPLIT OPEN
OTHER DAMGES TO THE GUTTER SYSTEM OR HOME
ICE DAMS ALONG THE ROOFLINE

Gutters Pulling Loose or Sagging – The most common issue we come across during heavy snow is gutters pulling loose or falling off of the home. The added weight of snow and ice can cause gutters to sag or pull away, especially gutters that are nailed-in using gutter spikes.
Ice Buildup Near Downspouts or Under Damaged Gutters – As roof snow melts, it drains through the gutters and often refreezes into ice once it reaches the ground. Watch for ice buildup near porches, sidewalks, driveways, and areas under gutter sections with ice accumulation.
Downspouts Splitting or Bursting at Seams – When the melting snow can’t drain through the downspout, the trapped water can cause the downspout to burst open as it refreezes into ice and expands. A good rule of thumb is when downspouts become encased in ice they often take on damages.

Damage to the Gutter System or Home – Beyond pulling loose or falling, gutters can bend, tear, or crease as trapped water freezes and expands. In the photos below you can see how ice from a clogged downspout seeped into the window frame and caused damages.

Ice Dams Along the Roofline – Gutter related problems do not typically cause ice dams, but they can worsen ice buildup and contribute to other forms of winter damage. When gutters are clogged with debris, sag, or are installed with improper slope or pitch, melting snow and ice cannot drain properly. This trapped water can freeze inside the gutters, leading to icicles, frozen downspouts, and heavy ice accumulations that add stress to the gutter system and roof edge. While these conditions are different from true ice dams, they can still result in gutter damage, fascia issues, and safety hazards around the home.

Steps You Can Take to Prepare Your Gutters For Winter Weather

Make sure that the gutters are cleaned in late fall to ensure they are clear of clogs going into winter.
Stay on top of minor gutter repair issues that can affect gutter functionality.
Upgrade outdated gutter systems before damages to the home occur.
Ensure downspouts are directing water away from walkways.
Perform visual checks of gutters and downspouts after major snowfall.
Schedule seasonal gutter cleanings to keep the gutter system clear of clogs throughout the year, and to catch issues before they worsen.

Prepare Your Gutters For Winter Summary:

Winter weather is one of the toughest tests for any gutter system. Clearing all debris and clogs from the gutters after the autumn leaves fall is imperative to ensure gutters are prepared for winter. The most common times for fall gutter cleaning are November through December depending on where you are located. A good rule of thumb is to clean them out after the leaves finish dropping, but before the first major snow of the year. Additionally, seasonal gutter cleanings are one of the top forms of preventative maintenance homeowners can utilize to save a lot of money on home repairs.

It’s important to know that mounting gutters with gutter nails (aka gutter spikes) was phased out about 20-30 years ago. Therefore, most gutters hung with gutter spikes have just about reached their life expectancy and should be replaced. Upgrading outdated gutter systems to modern gutters with proper hanger systems provides added strength and long-term protection.

For areas that receive excessive snowfall, we recommend upgrading the gutter systems to continuous hanger gutter systems that are designed to handle heavy snow and extreme temperatures. We use and recommend the Double-Pro system by Alu-Rex as they are specifically designed to withstand harsh Canadian winters.