Winter Gutter Maintenance For Dallas Homeowners

Even Texans Can’t Avoid Winter Gutter Maintenance

Many people think Texas doesn’t have a “real” winter. But if you live in Dallas, you know that isn’t true. We might not get feet of snow, but we get something just as dangerous: ice.

For homeowners, ice can be heavy and destructive to their property. If your gutters are not ready, the winter months can cause serious problems for both your roof and foundation. This guide, created by our experts at G.L. Hunt, explains why winter gutter maintenance is essential and how to do it properly.

Key Takeaways: Winter Gutter Protection

• Dallas ice risks — North Texas faces ice storms and freeze-thaw cycles that are dangerous for home exteriors.
• Heavy ice dams — When gutters are clogged, trapped water freezes into heavy blocks of ice. This weight can pull gutters away from the roof, causing winter gutter damage.
• Foundation threats — As ice melts, it overflows the gutter brim instead of draining properly. This dumps water directly onto the foundation, saturating the clay soil and causing shifting or cracking.
• Prevention — The best defense is proactive winter gutter maintenance — clearing debris and checking downspouts before the first hard freeze.

Why Winter Gutter Maintenance Matters In Texas

In Dallas, our trees often keep their leaves late into the year. This means your gutters can fill with leaves right before freezing weather arrives.

When a winter storm hits, it often brings freezing rain. If your gutters are full of dry leaves, this is just a regular, but annoying, chore. But if those leaves get wet and freeze, they become a heavy block of ice.

Did You Know? 

One inch of ice can weigh about five pounds for every square foot. That adds up fast! This extra weight can rip your gutters right off the fascia boards of your house. This is a common form of winter gutter damage that we see after ice storms.

The Hidden Danger To Your Foundation

You might be wondering, “What do frozen gutters have to do with my foundation?” The answer is: everything.

Dallas has expansive clay soil. This soil swells when wet and shrinks when dry. Your foundation relies on stable soil to stay level.

1. The clog — When gutters are full of ice and debris, they form a dam.
2. The melt — When the sun comes out and the ice melts, the water has nowhere to go.
3. The overflow — Instead of going down the drainpipe, the water spills over the edge of the gutter.
4. The damage — This water falls directly next to your foundation. It soaks the soil, causing it to expand and push against your home. This can lead to cracks in your walls and uneven floors.

Essential Steps To Clean Gutters In Dallas

To protect your home, you need to make sure water can flow freely. Here’s a simple plan to clean gutters that Dallas homeowners can follow.

1. Timing Is Everything

Don’t clean your gutters in October and think you’re done. Remember, in Dallas, leaves fall late. The best time to clean them is in late November or early December, after most leaves have dropped but before the first hard freeze.

2. Remove The Debris

You need to get the “gunk” out. You can use a small plastic scoop or even your hands (wear thick gloves!).

Safety tip — Always use a sturdy ladder. If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, please call a professional. It’s not worth getting hurt.

3. Check The Downspouts

Cleaning the open gutters is only half the job. You must make sure the downspout (the vertical pipe) is clear.

• Test it — Run a garden hose to water down the spout. If water backs up, you have a clog.
• Clear it — You may need a plumber’s snake or a strong spray of water to dislodge the clog.

Professional Help For Dallas Gutters

Maintenance is hard work, and at times it can be dangerous. If your Dallas gutters are old, damaged or hard to reach, you might need help.

At G.L. Hunt, we know that gutters are your home’s first line of defense. We check if your downspouts are moving water far enough away (at least 5 to 10 feet) to keep your foundation safe. Our technicians are always on the lookout for any warning signs that could indicate bigger problems. 

If you’re tired of cleaning them yourself, ask us about LeafGuard. This system keeps leaves out so water can always flow, even during a Texas winter storm.

Don’t Wait For The Freeze

Winter weather in Dallas is unpredictable. Don’t wait until you see icicles hanging from your roof to act. By then, the damage has already started.

Take time this weekend to check your gutters. If you see sagging, leaks or clogs you can’t reach, let us help.

Would you like to schedule a free gutter inspection with G.L. Hunt to make sure your home is ready for winter?