How do I protect rain gutters from ice damage?

[CliffordK]

Hmmm, how to keep gutters from freezing? Move to Florida?
David from jax

Every once in a while it snows in parts of Florida.

Although, perhaps wind and rain storms are more of a problem down there.

 

[sandman2234]

Every once in a while it snows in parts of Florida.

Although, perhaps wind and rain storms are more of a problem down there.

"Snow" in Florida is not even considered as a real snowfall by people in most other places who get enough snow to own snow moving equipment! The only reason I have snow moving equipment is because I bought it to move dirt and none of it has ever moved snow!
David from jax

 

[MTGreen]

Commercial metal buildings often have those dams installed -I always assumed there was a liability issue with the snow shedding injuring someone.

What about the kind of louvered dispersal things look like miniblinds? Not sure how they would take snow but they are supposed to keep the runoff from falling straight down and eroding your concrete

 

[plowhog]

they are supposed to keep the runoff from falling straight down and eroding your concrete

Fair enough, but that's also what the gutters do. Except when they get torn apart by ice and snow, which I am trying to prevent.

 

[BlueKnife]

10 years ago, my Morton Buildings sales rep said they want the snow to get off the roof quickly. So no slide stops are recommended.

But I see a few newer buildings with snow blockers. Maybe something changed.

When the snow slides, it makes enough noise - it's a warning to step a little faster out of the way.

If a building is built correctly for the snow load in the region where it stands, the snow does not need to slide off. That said, many incorrectly or poorly built buildings are still standing because metal roofing and/or poor insulation prevents the snow from building up too much.

 

[bigtiller]

If a building is built correctly for the snow load in the region where it stands, the snow does not need to slide off. That said, many incorrectly or poorly built buildings are still standing because metal roofing and/or poor insulation prevents the snow from building up too much.

Thanks, but I think I will stick with the Morton Buildings recommendation. They have been around for a long time.

 

[BlueKnife]

Thanks, but I think I will stick with the Morton Buildings recommendation. They have been around for a long time.

The recommendation of Morton Buildings and that of one of their sales reps isn't necessarily the same thing. No company like that worth it's salt is going to rely on snow sliding off of a roof to keep their buildings from collapsing. Too much risk of an unforeseen variable causing the snow to stay on. They wouldn't have been able to pass building codes in many places and they have too much of a widespread reputation to maintain to risk that, besides the probability of being sued out of existence if a poorly built building caved in and killed someone or caused significant financial loss.

 

[bigtiller]

On any roof with exposed fasteners, the longer the snow stays on, the higher the chance of a water leak as it melts.

 

[BlueKnife]

On any roof with exposed fasteners, the longer the snow stays on, the higher the chance of a water leak as it melts.

That's a whole different subject, of course.

Anyway..... OP, how far does the metal on your roof extend past the eave and what is your roof pitch? If the metal extends a couple inches at least and if the pitch isn't too steep and/or the gutters too wide, you can get the snow to go out over the top of them by mounting the gutters 1-3" lower than "normal".

 

[grsthegreat]

i use raychem heat tape on my buildings. it loops up 2 feet above the gutters, and runs thru gutters and downspouts. i even run it thru underground drain pipes. this is self regulating tape, so it only runs when needed to melt ice. its self regulating.