What is winter without any significant snowstorms or accumulations? Well Storm Stella is about to hit! Final predictions for Storm Stella are sitting at 1-2 feet of total snow accumulation. What was originally a winter weather advisory has now been updated to a blizzard warning.

This warning is expected to impact our area Monday night late through to Tuesday evening. With such large accumulations, it is important to not only be prepared, but to understand expectations for this storm, specifically when it come to your gutter system.

Preparation For Storm

As we begin to prepare for the winter Storm Stella, we want to review some preparations, expectations, and to dos. Here are some things you will see in this blog:

Snow removal
Preparation checklist
Expectations for each unique gutter system
Ice damming definition, and expectations
FAQ’s

Snow Removal:

Recommendation: It is our recommendation that the snow be removed from your roof after a cumulative snowfall of at least 8 inches or more within the first 72 hours following the end of snowfall. Proactive snow removal is the best prevention method for ice damming, and the potential damages associated with ice damming, and ice and snow buildup.
Our Services: Snow Removal is extremely time sensitive and labor intensive. Because of this, we are offering snow removal services on a limited-availability basis.

Checklist For Storm Stella:

Make sure your heat cable is turned on – READ MORE
Make sure gutters are clean
Shovel around downspouts

Gutter System Expectations:

Open Gutter System: With open gutters, there is a channel around 5” deep for the snow and ice to fill up in. It is not until that channel is filled up that the ice and snow will begin to freeze over the edge causing icicles. So although you may not see icicles right away, the gutter is building ice inside of it.
Gutter Guards: If you’ve recently had guards installed and this is your first big storm with them, do not panic if you see icicles forming right away. This is because with guards, the snow and ice will not accumulate inside of your gutter but will form on top of the guards, and over the edge more quickly. But this means the guards are protecting and preventing your gutters from this buildup of ice inside your gutters which could cause your gutters to come down or split when this interior ice expands.
Heated Gutter System: a heated gutter is designed to slowly melt the ice and snow to eliminate the dangers associated with heavy ice damming buildup overtime. It is important to note that this is a slow melt and it will not instantly vanish any snow and ice from your gutter…READ MORE
Read more on winter expectations HERE

Blizzards & ICE DAMMING:

Definition: Basically ice damming is when the heat in your home escapes through your attic and makes your roof warm. After it snows the warm part of your roof melts the snow and that water flows down to the bottom of your roof, which is still cold. Once the melted snow and water reach the cold roof, some of it freezes into ice and traps the remainder against your home. This water can be forced back under your shingles. It then can find its way into your attic, ceilings, and the interior walls of your home.
Extreme high to extreme low temperatures are an ideal recipe for ice damming. This means, going from 40-50 degree temperatures, to single digits in a short span of time. In turn, causes melting and refreezing.
Read more on what’s normal vs. abnormal HERE.

FAQ’s:

Are icicles bad? What should I do about them?
Why do I have icicles/ice now that you installed gutter guards? I’ve never had them previously!
What is an ice dam and why am I getting them?
What kind of ice melt can I throw on the roof? And what about in the gutters to help melt the ice?
Will using a roof rake damage my gutters and/or guards?

READ ANSWERS HERE

How Storm Stella Will Affect Your Gutters