Get matched with top gutter repair and replacement pros in Canby, MN

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.

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.

It is possible to repair your own gutters, but we don’t recommend it. First, gutters need to sit at a precise slope to direct water toward the downspouts but also appear level from the yard, and this task is challenging to get right through DIY gutter repair. Second, any mistakes you make could be costly if they cause water damage or foundation damage. It might seem unnecessary to spend $400 on professional gutter repair, but it pales in comparison to what you might pay if you make a mistake doing the work yourself.

There are gutter repair experts who specialize in gutter maintenance. These professionals can help with clogging, leaks, sagging, or other issues. An experienced pro should also be able to tell you when a repair won’t be enough and a full replacement will be necessary. Keeping your gutters in great shape is how you prevent bigger problems from forming.