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Water overflow, foundation damage, and mold growth are risks.

Icicles don't necessarily mean your gutters are clogged or bad, but they can indicate an underlying issue. While clogged gutters can cause icicles to form, the problem could also be an ice dam on your roof from poor insulation. In that case, melting snow can refreeze in the gutter even without a clog. Regardless of the cause, the weight of the ice can damage your gutters or even rip them completely off the house. If you are unsure of the underlying problem, it's best to call a roofing company to assess the issue and implement a permanent solution.

Yes, and repairing such damage is another repair that’s done often. Sagging gutters are usually the result of one of two things: damage or overload. For example, ice buildup over the winter due to clogged gutters can cause expansion, stretching the gutters. A falling tree limb or even a rogue baseball can cause gutters to sag. Sagging gutters can be repaired, but they are often replaced because it can take less time.

Buried downspouts can freeze during cold weather as cold water runs through them. If you’ve discovered your downspouts are frozen, you can carefully pour hot water down the top of the downspout to defrost them. If that doesn’t work, you may need to dig your downspout back up. Avoid trying to break the ice from the exterior using a hammer as this can cause cracks and damage to your downspout.

To avoid freezing the future, consider adding a heating cable to the exterior, which can adjust heat based on the surrounding temperature.