Installing gutters in winter is possible, but it's not always the best option. At Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters, we have the tools to complete the installation of gutters during the winter months. However, due to the intensity of the weather, there is a risk of damaging the new gutter system. Because a gutter installation eliminates the existing system and replaces it with something new, it can be done in winter.
But it will cost more and take longer than in warmer months. It may be hard to believe, but roof replacement professionals say it's possible to replace gutters during the winter season. Most professionals are trained to provide their services no matter the time of year. However, they must be careful with the materials they handle or it could break even before it is installed. The jury is still out on whether gutters should be installed in a Nordic climate. But omitting gutters doesn't have to create water problems in the basement.
Even if you have gutters, you can have a damp or leaky basement if grading, trails, driveways, decks, or planters allow water to stay against the foundation or run to it. To safely remove gutters, make sure that the slope is tilted away from the building at a speed of 2 inches per horizontal foot as much as possible. When building new homes, place higher houses so that you can level them. Place slabs or other paving material on a slope, on the roof's drip line to trap most of the water from the roof and divert it. Performance tests will ensure that your doors will withstand inclement weather and consistent use throughout their lifespan. We highly recommend seamless rain gutters for optimal performance, as they dramatically reduce the likelihood of leaks.
Consider using a roof rake to remove snow accumulated in the last 3 to 5 feet of the roofline before reaching rain gutters or the edge of the roof. Insulation throughout the house, especially just below the roof, will help ensure that heat stays inside and that melted ice flows properly through your rain gutter system and away from your home. Your gutters may be covered with ice and your roof may be covered by a foot of snow, but even under those conditions, your friendly local roofing and gutter installer should be able to give you an idea of the costs, schedule and scope of work involved. Gutter plugs are also used on roofs with a low slope, where water could flow back out behind the gutters. Gutter overflow can be a sign that the gutters are poorly installed, incorrectly tilted, or poorly designed that are too narrow for your home. Keeping your rain gutters free and flowing is a wonderful way to get rid of this hatching environment, which will help reduce the number of insects in your backyard. But when homeowners see that their gutters need to be replaced and we are in winter season, they tend to postpone replacing them because they think it's not possible. Living in states like Idaho and Washington where it seems to rain endlessly or you live near a lot of trees means debris is likely to build up in your gutters all the time.
The accumulation of ice and snow during winter months can cause significant problems with both your roof and gutter system. A house generally needs wall plugs when the roofline doesn't extend far enough beyond the edge of the gutter. Joints keep the roof and gutters working efficiently and are recommended for homes in snowy or rainy areas like Spokane and Northern Idaho. Winter cycles of frost and thaw cause gutters to age faster than you might expect, forcing you to consider replacing them even in winter. You can also use this time to select size, color and options for your gutter such as Waterloov gutter protectors. The thermal cables installed on edge of roof melt snow; however when it reaches cold gutter it will freeze again and continue to accumulate on gutter.
Rain gutters are strategically placed along roofline to help draw moisture away from both roof and siding.