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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.

It’s technically possible to remove some soffit material without removing your gutters, but it’s usually a good idea to remove gutters, fascia, and soffit and then reinstall them in the opposite order. Replacing soffits without removing gutters is likely to leave you with a less professional and clean appearance, and you’re more likely to do damage to your gutters and fascia boards in the process.

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.

The best way to seal gutters is with a combination of waterproof roofing cement and silicone gutter sealant. This powerful duo works to prevent water from escaping through holes and cracks while allowing for breathability. While you can use polyurethane sealants, silicone sealants tend to be more flexible when it comes to climate. Silicone is UV-resistant and bonds well to many surfaces. However, polyurethane sealant bonds better with wood.