Do Gutter Guards Cause Ice Dams? [S1 EP28]

Do gutter guards cause ice dams?
This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions we receive from homeowners. In Episode 28, we will show you how the gutter guards react to the accumulation of snow and ice on the gutter guards surface.
Once again, the results are different on each side of the garage. The south side, which receives more sunlight, acts differently than the north side, where ice has formed a layer on top of the gutter guards' screens.
This is a long episode, but worth watching, as we uncover one of the greatest unknowns about leaf filters and gutter covers.
Your mileage may vary based on the wintery conditions at your home, but this video will help settle the debate about how gutter guards handle the formation of snow and ice on the tops of the covers.
Gutter Guards featured in this week's episode include:
• LeafFilter
• MasterShield
• Gutterglove Pro (old style)
• GutterLove (now known as MicroMax and referred to as LeafLock in video)
• Homecraft / HydroShield (dealer installed / available online as a DIY install)
• LeaFree solid gutter cover
• Leaf Solution
• Gutterglove Easy-on (sold by Costco, and available under different brand names at Lowe's, Home Depot and Ace Hardware stores)
• Clean Mesh (sold online and at Menard's)
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[@bferaday]

Hi! Interesting comparison and timely. I was just wondering if you know of any comparison of dark coloured covered gutters versus regular white ones. I’ve only had maybe 1-2” of snow and already have 5-7” icicles on both sloped and flat roofs on the south side and ice build up on top of the gutter covers. My thinking is that if they were black then that may reduce ice build up on top of the gutter covers but I’m not sure. Thanks. 😊

[@gutterguardsdirect]

@bferaday, it's logical that a darker colored roof, gutter, and gutter guards would help snow and ice melt more quickly. We shot other snow and ice videos in 2011, and I believe that I mentioned this in one of the videos that you can see here: ua-cam.com/video/xYiWEpE1E40/v-deo.htmlsi=BeTKD9gb2mmh92EP

[@kimberly2320]

Any issues with ice dams? Are the mesh guards the best?

[@gutterguardsdirect]

Hi Kimberly. Gutter guards don't cause ice dams per se. It's more of an issue with lack of insulation in attics.
This (www.gutterguardsdirect.com/gutter-maintenance/icicles-go-better-with-gutter-guards-than-open-gutters/) and this (www.gutterguardsdirect.com/buying-guides-reviews/icicles-hanging-from-your-gutter-guards-is-good/) article might help.
Generally speaking, I believe that micro mesh gutter guards do a better job minimizing icicles than solid gutter covers. They also typically do a better job preventing leaves and debris from getting inside your gutters.
I would buy a gutter guard that is best suited to your leaf problem rather than finding the best one for snow and ice, simply because debris is a bigger problem for most folks than snow and ice, but micro mesh gutter guards will likely produce smaller icicles than solid aluminum gutter covers.

[@beckysartor]

Just say no to Leaf Filter!!