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Rain and snow, hail and sleet. Your gutters handle them all. Without gutters, you’d run into some serious problems.

But can they handle ice dams?

High-quality gutters can withstand intense weather, but they’re sometimes prone to obstruction. In cold temperatures, the gutters may then freeze over, causing ice dams. 

Gutter guards may be the solution. The question is whether gutter guards can also cause ice dams.

In this article, we’ll discuss whether gutter guards can really protect your gutters.

What Causes Ice Dams?

Gutters are prone to obstruction. Without regular gutter maintenance, leaves and dirt can begin to accumulate inside them. This blocks them up, limiting or cutting off water flow.

Gutters in winter can then freeze over. Even though water and ice weigh the same, the water at least has a chance to filter out through the blockage. The ice stays there, putting weight on your gutters.

Gutters don’t exist only to redirect the water. They’re there to prevent water damage, among other things. But ice ruins their effectiveness and proves hard to remove later on.

Over time, this ice can accumulate to a weight that your gutters cannot withstand. The result could be a catastrophic failure where your gutter detaches from the roof and walls. This poses a serious safety hazard to you and your family, and may cause damage to your home.

Using Gutter Guards to Prevent Ice Dams

Gutter guards serve as a filter, allowing only water to sit in your gutters. They keep out leaves, sediment, and living creatures. But do they potentially lead to ice dams?

What tends to happen to gutters in winter is that the house heating melts the ice on the roof. This ice water trickles down into the gutters, where the cold temperatures cause it to freeze again. This builds up over time, leading to that catastrophic failure.

The problem is, these gutter guards can cause the same blockages they’re trying to prevent. Rather than stopping the leaves from blocking up at a junction, they block them off at the source.

Can You Install Gutter Guards that Don’t Cause Blockages?

The short answer is yes.

Not all gutter guards are equal. Your roofers may have had little experience or done the job as quickly as possible. They may have only installed gutter guards at a single point along the gutters, increasing the risk of a blockage.

There are several options for gutter guards. You can install a single, long filter over the top of the gutters. This keeps any and all contaminants out, reducing the chance of ice dams.

Alternatively, you can install a fine-mesh filter. This prevents anything from the roof from reaching the gutters in the first place. If ice dams form, they’ll melt off the roof before leading to more serious problems. 

Whatever the case, you should contact the experts. They’ll know how to solve your gutter problems, regardless of the case.

Prevent Ice Dams in Your Gutters

Gutter guards are an effective way to prevent blockages and keep your gutters clear. However, they may lead to ice dams, which could exacerbate a simple blockage and lead to serious damage. Regular gutter maintenance is essential, and it’s best to contact professionals to do it safely.

Looking for gutter experts in your area? Look no further. Contact Gutter Empire today, and ensure ice dams don’t give you a headache tomorrow.

Last updated: October 2025

Vancouver, WA, sure has a great climate in the summer, but when the fall arrives, it brings a lot of rain. From October to May, there’s a 32% chance of precipitation on any given day. And when the rain starts to fall, you want to ensure that your gutters are functioning correctly.

Clogged gutters can quickly lead to damage to the fascia, roof, walls, and windows. And as we get older, cleaning them out becomes increasingly treacherous. That’s why you need gutter guards for peace of mind and to reduce gutter maintenance.

Join us as we take a quick look at everything you need to know about gutter guards for your home.

What Are Gutter Guards?

A gutter guard forms a permeable barrier over your gutters. Simply put, rain and melting snow can get through and drain away. But leaves, twigs, and other junk can’t. 

They’re made of various materials, including vinyl, steel, and PVC. Your gutter guard installation professional will be able to advise you which type is best for your home.

Valor Gutter Guards are the top-rated brand in the US. Some of their innovative solutions include:

• Valor Moss-Away – the zinc insert prevents moss from growing over the gutter guard and blocking it
• Valor Melt-Away – includes a heated element to prevent ice dams and keep gutters working year-round

Valor and Evelyn’s Leaf Solution gutter guards can also protect against:

• Asphalt grit
• Pollen
• Pine needles

Range of Colors

Gutter guards aren’t just functional, they’re also attractive. They now come in a wide range of colors, including bronze, copper, almond, brown, and white. This makes it easier to find a color that matches your existing gutters, blending in with your current facade.

Benefits of Gutter Guards

When professionally fitted, gutter leaf guards reduce the amount of gutter maintenance required.

Rather than needing to be laboriously scooped out and cleaned, gutter guards can simply be brushed off. You can usually reduce your need for gutter cleaning from twice to once a year.

You also prevent water from spilling onto your roof. When water starts pooling in clogged gutters, it can quickly start to rot the fascia boards. You’ll soon have water entering your home, causing numerous other costly issues.

Clogged gutters are also pest magnets. They love the fact that the nesting material is already there, plus a water source. When you create a barrier, you stop rodents and birds from taking up residence.

When heavy rains or snowfall come in the winter, gutter splash guards can help channel the water in the right direction. 

Choose Gutter Empire for the Best Gutter Guards in Vancouver, WA

At Gutter Empire, we specialize in everything related to gutter systems.

We stock and install a range of gutter guards to help you keep your gutters flowing uninterrupted throughout the year. When correctly installed, they can last for years and prevent many expensive problems.

To schedule an appointment, call our office at (971) 777-9899 or submit a request online today!

Last updated: October 2025

Are you a homeowner?

If so, then you understand the importance of basic household maintenance. These chores might seem like a major headache at times, but they are also the best way to keep your home looking great and help reduce wear and tear.

Basic home maintenance includes keeping an eye on gutter damage. After all, your gutters are something you probably take for granted until there’s a problem. Fortunately, this article can help.

Here, we discuss a list of the most common causes of broken gutters, so you can reduce the potential for expensive repairs. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Improper Gutter Installation

Let’s begin by discussing the importance of proper installation. After all, poor installation is one of the leading causes of gutter failure. 

Have you noticed that the gutters on your home have begun to sag? There’s a high likelihood that this type of sagging is due to poor workmanship. That’s because poorly-installed gutters aren’t strong enough to withstand year after year of rainwater, snow, ice, fallen leaves, bird nests, or high winds.

Thus, it’s important to choose a gutter installation company with years of experience in the industry and a long list of satisfied customers.

2. Poorly Pitched Gutters

What do we mean by poorly pitched gutters? Pitch is a term used to describe the downward angle of the gutter. This angle allows rainwater to flow smoothly to the downspout.

An improperly pitched gutter is another example of poor installation. Most gutter installation companies recommend a minimum slope of at least one-quarter inch for every 10 feet of guttering to reduce the potential for trapped water.

Before hiring an installation company in your area, be sure to ask them how much pitch they typically include to prevent debris from accumulating.

3. An Insufficient Number of Pipes 

Another important factor in reducing damage to guttering is the number of pipes used to channel water away from the roof.

For example, each rainwater pipe should never be responsible for supporting more than 15 meters of gutter. Please note that the number of pipes will be determined by the overall size of your home.

4. Joints That Have Become Dislodged

When gutter joints become dislodged, it will lead to additional damage to your gutter as well as damage to your roof.

The best strategy for minimizing this type of damage is to regularly inspect the condition of your gutters and make necessary repairs.

5. Clogged Gutters

Here is another common cause of gutter damage. Clogged gutters from bird nests and fallen leaves are notorious for causing rainwater overflow, which can lead to water damage to your roof.

Use This Guide to Common Causes of Gutter Damage

It’s no secret that your house is a major investment. In fact, it’s probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make.

That’s why it’s so important to take good care of it. Fortunately, this guide to the most common causes of gutter damage will help prevent minor issues from escalating.

Please contact us today to learn more about our gutter guards, gutter installation, and other gutter services.

Last updated: October 2025

Sometimes, it is the simplest inventions that provide the most value for society. Inventions like gutters have become so common that people often overlook how successful they must be, given that practically every home has one. This incredible success explains why the global market for rain gutters is worth more than $7 billion annually!

https://gutterempiregutterguards.com/contact/Of course, the magnitude of that number means that there are many different gutter guard installer services to choose from. The best installers out there are significantly different from the average or the worst installers.

So, how can you ensure that you choose the right gutter guard installer for your situation? Read on to learn all about the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a gutter guard installer!

Find a Gutter Contractor With the Right Experience

Different gutter services may specialize in different jobs. They might specialize in gutter protection, gutter repair, or gutter installation.

You want to find someone with the right kind of experience. That means experience doing the kinds of jobs that you would like them to do for you.

If you need a great installation job done, then you should find an installer with as much experience in installation as possible.

One of the questions to ask a gutter contractor before hiring them is what area they have the most experience in. You might want to ask them this before you tell them what you are looking for. That way, you will know that they are not just telling you what you want to hear.

Spent Some Time Looking at Reviews and Ratings

These days, it is easy to get the inside scoop on various businesses. Past customers leave detailed reviews and ratings to help you choose between gutter installation services.

Explore all the gutter installation services available on Google. You might want to only consider those with sufficiently high ratings. However, you should also take the time to read through the reviews.

The reviews provide extra information that will help you to place the ratings of each business in the proper context.

Look at Past Success

A company might look for it on paper, but a picture is worth 1000 words. If possible, ask to see images of past work.

Companies typically showcase their best work examples. If their best examples are not impressive, you may want to consider finding another service.

Understand How to Choose the Right Gutter Guard Installer 

We hope that some of the ideas in this brief article about how to choose the right gutter guard installer have been helpful for you. Many people end up looking for gutter experts in emergency situations. Unfortunately, in their rush, they often fail to conduct thorough due diligence in finding the best gutter guard installer for their specific situation.

Figuring out the right gutter guard installer can mean avoiding the need to hire someone else to fix a job done poorly. To learn more about the benefits of working with a quality gutter guard installer or where to find experts, feel free to reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!

Last updated: October 2025

Are you tired of your gutters being blocked and overflowing with water and debris? Perhaps you’ve had enough of climbing up a ladder to remove dirty materials from your drains? If either of these scenarios sounds familiar, you could benefit from installing Valor gutter guards. 

But why choose Valor gutter guards? After all, if you’re going to invest in a product, you’ll want to know how it can benefit your home. The good news is that there are several excellent reasons to install these industry-leading gutter guards that can save you hassle and protect your property. 

Let’s dive in and discover why Valor gutter guards are a vital addition to your home.

1. Suitable for Use In Extreme Weather Conditions

Not all gutter guards are created equal, and some may lose their shape, becoming less effective in extreme weather conditions. But, there are countless Valor gutter guard reviews confirming that the robust materials can withstand harsh conditions and keep your gutters protected.

2. Prevents Moss and Algae Build-Up

It can be challenging to clean gutters when there is a build-up of moss and algae, and a high-quality gutter guard is a vital tool to prevent an accumulation of unwanted substances. This means you won’t have to spend extra money on cleaning materials as your gutters will remain in superb condition. 

3. Superior Health and Safety

Working at heights can be treacherous, and a fall could lead to severe injury or death. While you can take precautions to reduce the risk of falling from a ladder, it’s better not to put yourself in danger in the first place. This is especially true in the colder winter months when you are more likely to slip. 

Fortunately, there is no need to be up a ladder cleaning gutters at any time of the year. You can easily search for ‘Valor gutter guard installers near me’ and find a top-class company to fit your protective coverings.

4. Protects Against Ice Dams

When considering the cost of Valor gutter guards, you may find that the price is very reasonable compared to the expense of replacing gutters that have been torn off due to ice dams. You can choose a Melt-Away option for your Valor gutter guard, which prevents the buildup of ice or snow in your gutters during winter. 

5. No Bug or Pest Infestations

If you allow bugs and pests to accumulate in your gutters, they can cause blockages, and critters may eventually decide to enter your property. But a Valor gutter guard can reduce the risk of this occurring, keeping both your gutters and your home cleaner and more hygienic. 

Find Your Valor Gutter Guards at Gutter Empire

If you’re looking for where to buy Valor gutter guards, look no further than Gutter Empire. Our professional team can provide you with expert advice and supply and fit your Valor gutter guards at a cost-effective price. We enjoy building relationships with our customers and can service your guttering when required for many years to come.

To learn more and receive a free quote, contact the Gutter Empire team today.

Last updated: October 2025