Is Your Home Ready for a Durham Winter?
If you live in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, or anywhere across the Durham Region, you know that our weather can be unpredictable. We get the stunning fall foliage, but we also get the harsh freeze-thaw cycles that follow.
While you might be busy swapping out snow tires or checking your furnace, there is one crucial exterior feature that often gets overlooked until it’s too late: your gutters.
At Durham Gutters, we see the damage caused by neglected eavestroughs every spring. The good news? It is entirely preventable. Here is why getting your gutters cleaned or inspected right now is the smartest investment you can make for your home this season.
1. The “Ice Dam” Danger
The biggest enemy of a Canadian roof is the ice dam. When your gutters are clogged with wet maple leaves and debris, melting snow from your roof has nowhere to go. It gets trapped in the gutter and freezes.
As heat escapes your home, it melts more snow on the roof, which runs down and hits that block of ice. This water can back up under your shingles, leading to leaks inside your attic, damaged insulation, and ruined drywall ceilings.
The Fix: Clean gutters allow melting snow to drain away freely, preventing the buildup of heavy ice dams.
2. Protecting Your Foundation
In the Durham Region, we often experience “thaws” in January or February where temperatures spike and snow melts rapidly. If your downspouts are clogged, that water pours directly over the side of the gutter and pools right next to your foundation.
Over time, this water pressure can cause cracks in your foundation, leading to basement leaks and costly structural repairs.
3.Unwanted Winter Guests
Clumps of wet leaves and twigs in your gutters create a warm, insulated nesting ground. Rodents, birds, and insects are constantly looking for a winter shelter. A clogged gutter is an open invitation for pests to move in—and potentially chew their way into your attic.
Why DIY Isn’t Always the Answer
We love the DIY spirit, but cleaning gutters in late autumn or early winter can be dangerous.
- Ladder Safety: Cold winds and slippery rungs make ladder work hazardous.
- Freezing Debris: Wet leaves often freeze into solid blocks that are difficult to remove by hand without damaging the aluminum.
- Proper Inspection: A professional doesn’t just clean; we look for loose brackets, pitch issues, and minor leaks that need sealing before the snow flies.
How Durham Gutters Can Help
We specialize in protecting local homes against the elements. Whether you need a one-time seasonal cleaning, a repair for a sagging section, or the installation of premium Gutter Guards to keep debris out permanently, we have you covered.
Our Winter-Prep Services Include:
- Thorough removal of leaves and sludge.
- Flushing downspouts to ensure proper flow.
- Resecuring loose spikes or hangers.
- Installation of leaf guard systems for low-maintenance protection.
Ready for Peace of Mind?
Don’t wait until you see an icicle hanging off your eavestrough or a water spot on your ceiling. Protect your biggest investment today.
