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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.

Calcium chloride does not do significant damage to gutters when used properly and in moderate amounts. If you use too much too frequently, it could eventually cause corrosion in your gutters. Rock salt will harm your gutters, though.

If you don't want to install gutter guards, the most common and inexpensive alternative is regular gutter cleaning, either annually, biannually, or as soon as they start to fill up. Using a leaf blower attachment can make this process easier. Other products designed to reduce cleanings include gutter screens (made of wire mesh, nylon, or foam), which are typically less expensive than a full gutter guard installation. You can also find guards and inserts designed specifically to protect your downspouts or opt for a whole gutter system like LeafGuard, which integrates the gutter and guard into a single product.

One of the biggest causes of gutter leaks is clogged gutters. If your gutters are full of debris and leaves, water will back up and eventually overflow outside of the gutter. Other common causes of gutter leaks include loosened gutter fasteners, faulty gutter slopes (sagging gutters), separated joints, and cracks or holes.