What to Do About Frozen Gutters

Winter can wreak havoc on your home, and a common problem is frozen gutters. When temperatures drop significantly, any standing water will freeze. To thaw frozen gutters, pour hot water or apply calcium chloride. You can also manually remove the ice and snow using a roof rake. 

Frozen gutters can’t drain water properly, which can cause water or structural damage to your home. In this article, we’ll cover how you can safely thaw frozen gutters and determine when it’s better to call a professional to do it instead. 

Assess the Situation

Gutters protect your home from water and structural damage by ensuring that water flows from your roof and drains properly. When water in your gutters freezes, it can clog your gutters and cause water overflow. 

Noticing whether you have frozen gutters from the ground may be tricky, but luckily, you can look out for these signs:

• Icicles: Icicles are the most noticeable sign of frozen gutters, especially when they are hanging from your roof’s edge or underneath your gutters. However, they can also be a telltale sign of ice dams, but you’ll need to look for ridges forming near your roofline to determine if you’re dealing with ice dams. 

• Water overflow: Icicles can also be a sign of water overflow, but be sure to watch out for water or ice buildup on your home’s siding.   
• Leaks or damp areas indoors: When your gutters are unable to drain water properly, you’ll notice leaks or dampness in your ceiling, which can lead to mold and mildew. 

Safe Methods to Thaw Frozen Gutters

While thawing your frozen gutters is your highest priority, you’ll need to use methods that are safe for your gutters. Additionally, removing ice from your gutters can be hazardous, so be sure to follow these safety precautions: 

• Avoid thawing your frozen gutters during a snowy or extremely cold day. These conditions will make the process more difficult and increase safety hazards, especially if you’re using a ladder. 
• When using a ladder, always place it on even, level ground. It’s best to ask someone for assistance. 
• Do not thaw your frozen gutters during heavy snow or very low temperatures to avoid safety risks. 

Pour Hot Water 

The easiest DIY method to melt ice in your gutters is to use hot water. However, this can be a time-consuming process if you have long gutter channels. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Garden hose
• Hot water tap
• Ladder

Step 1: Attach your garden hose to a hot water tap. Using a constant stream of hot water instead of bringing a bucket of hot water up your ladder is more efficient and safe. 

Step 2: Let the hot water flow along the length of your gutters until the ice melts. Be sure to pay extra attention to melting the ice near the opening of your downspouts. 

Step 3: Keep a steady stream of water flowing through your gutters until the ice completely melts and exits freely from your downspouts. 

If you want a quicker, more efficient solution, turn to the pros, says James Roback of A.O. Kay Seamless Gutters: “Some companies offer a service to melt the ice with steam. This is probably the safest and most effective option, but the service can be costly [depending] on your area.”

He explains the conditions when you should consider this method instead of pouring hot water into your gutters: “The equipment is typically commercial grade and unrealistic for the average homeowner to purchase. But if the ice is significant enough, it may be the only option.”

Fill Stockings with Calcium Chloride 

Roback shares another safe method to thaw frozen gutters. “Roof melt does exist. It’s made with calcium chloride or magnesium chloride and is generally safe for your roof.” 

This is also known as the ‘stocking method’ because it involves filling a pair of stockings with calcium chloride. The catch? “It is slow working… so best not to let the ice build up too long,” he says. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Calcium chloride ice melt
• Stockings, hose, or nylon tights
• Plastic tarp (as needed)
• Ladder
• Work gloves
• Safety goggles
• Trowel or gutter brush

Step 1: Wear work gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from the chemicals in the calcium chloride ice melt. 

Step 2: Fill the pair of stockings with calcium chloride ice melt. Leave a gap on each leg area so you can tie them in the next step. 

Step 3: Tie each leg of the filled stockings to secure the calcium chloride in place. 

Step 4: Place the filled stockings on the ice in your gutters. Do not place the calcium chloride directly onto your gutters, as it may damage them, especially if they’re made of aluminum. 

Step 5: Repeat the process for the rest of your frozen gutters. You may need large quantities of calcium chloride and stockings to thaw the remaining ice in your gutters. 

Step 6: Periodically check your gutters to ensure the melted ice is draining properly into your downspouts. 

Step 7: Once the ice has melted, remove the stockings. Then, remove leftover slush from your gutters with a trowel or gutter brush. 

Note: Once the ice in your gutters melts, water with calcium chloride can damage any plants underneath the gutters. Place plastic tarps on your plants to protect them from the water from your gutters. 

Use a Roof Rake

If you prefer to remove ice from your gutters without a ladder, using a roof rake is a good option. While you’ll need some elbow grease to do this, you won’t risk damaging your gutters, unlike using a hammer or axe would. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Extendable roof rake 
• Work gloves
• Safety goggles
• Hard hat
• Non-slip boots

Note: Using a roof rake is not recommended for metal roofs because it can easily scratch the surface. 

Step 1: Wear work gloves, safety goggles, and a hard hat to protect yourself from falling snow from your gutters. Additionally, wear non-slip boots to avoid slipping while raking the ice and snow. Do not use a ladder or climb on your roof when using a roof rake. 

Step 2: Extend the roof rake to its full length, then place it against the ice on one end of your gutters. 

Step 3: Place the roof rake’s teeth against the ice in your gutters and lightly pull the rake downward. Ensure that the roof rake is parallel to the edge of your roofline as you do this. Be mindful of where you’re standing, as snow may fall on you. Move away from the falling snow as soon as you can. 

Note: Avoid applying too much pressure when removing ice and snow to prevent warping or damaging your gutters. Additionally, avoid hitting the shingles at the edge of your roof while clearing the ice from your gutters. 

Step 4: Continue doing this as you work your way towards the other end of your gutters. Repeat this process until you’ve removed the remaining ice and snow in the rest of your gutters. 

What Not to Do When You Have Frozen Gutters

While you may be eager to fix the problem immediately, some methods used to thaw them can make the problem worse and damage your gutters. Don’t use the following methods to remove ice from your gutters. 

Break the Chunks of Ice 

“Removing ice once it forms is very tricky,” says Roback. However, he warns, “Many options can damage your roof or gutters. Chopping at it with axes, spaded shovels, and hammers being the obvious example.” 

The impact from these tools can damage your gutters, cause leaks, and loosen fasteners. Additionally, this can become a potential safety hazard for you.  

Pour Salt Directly on the Ice

“Some people might throw rock salt on their roof…this is also a mistake. The salt can rust the nails that hold your shingles to your roof,” he explains.  

Additionally, the water runoff can stain your shingles, bricks, and siding, as well as damage nearby plants. Similarly, don’t fill stockings with salt instead of calcium chloride to melt the ice.  

Use a Blowtorch or Flame Source

This can cause a fire hazard in your home and melt some parts of your gutters, especially those made of plastic. Consider installing heat cables or heated gutters to melt the ice instead.  

When to Call a Professional

While you can DIY thawing or removing ice and snow from your frozen gutters, there are situations where it’s best to leave it to a professional instead. If these apply to you, call a pro to take care of your frozen gutters: 

• You have electrical lines near your roof or gutters. 
• There is persistent heavy snow or very low temperatures that prevent you from thawing your gutters yourself. 
• There are signs that your gutters are sagging or are damaged. 
• Icicles have formed underneath your gutters. 
• There are leaks or mold in your interior ceilings. 
• You prefer to save time and effort, as well as avoid the safety risks associated with thawing your gutters. 

In addition to thawing your gutters with the right equipment, a professional can diagnose problems your gutters may be experiencing, recommend methods to prevent ice dams, and clean your gutters during winter. 

FAQs

Meet the Expert James Roback owns A.O. Kay Seamless Gutters, which he founded three years ago. Based in Rome, New York, Roback and his team offer gutter and leaf guard installation, as well as fascia and soffit repairs. A.O. Kay Seamless Gutters proudly serves homeowners in the Mohawk Valley.

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What to read next: 

• Methods to Remove Ice Dams From Your Home’s Gutters 
• Winter Gutter Maintenance Checklist

Main Image: Frozen gutter on a roof with icicles hanging below. Image Credit: JJ Gouin / Adobe Stock