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The best drainage system deposits rainwater as far away from your house as possible. This limits foundation damage but also helps prevent the discovery of inches of water from a leak when you look in your basement. There are some drainage options, like French drains—a perforated pipe that releases water across a line of small stones—but the best option is always a long pipe that releases water far from the house.

Heated gutters are one line of defense against ice dams. The heavy block of ice forms when warm air escapes from your attic and meets the cold snow on your roof, turning snowmelt into ice. A heated gutter system should pair with proper attic ventilation and the correct gutter design for your home. 

Gutter guards do not cause ice dams, but they can make it more difficult for melting snow to drain by blocking smaller chunks of ice that might otherwise drain away in uncovered gutters. If you find ice dams forming on top of your gutter guards, you may want to remove them for the winter to aid in faster drainage.

You have several other options when choosing gutters beyond faux copper made from vinyl, aluminum, or galvanized steel. You can also install real copper gutters, zinc gutters, wooden gutters, or vinyl, aluminum, or steel gutters that don't mimic the appearance of faux copper. Some homeowners prefer to forgo gutters entirely and instead opt for gutter alternatives like rain chains, box gutters, rain dispersal systems, or French drains.