Freeze-Thaw Cycles Impact on Gutters
How Spokane’s Winter Weather Threatens Your Home’s Gutter System

Winter in the Spokane area brings snow and cold, but that’s not the only thing! The winter season also brings a hidden threat to your home’s water-management system. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can devastate your gutters. That’s why understanding this risk is key to avoiding costly repairs.
When the daytime sun melts snow or ice on your roof, the runoff flows down toward your eaves and gutters. At night, however, when the temperature drops, that water can refreeze at the gutter edge or in the downspout, creating what is commonly known as an “ice dam,” or a ridge of ice that blocks sheet-flow of melt water. Our experts at Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters note, "ice dams (or icicles along the roofline) are formed when temperatures are at snow-melting levels (right around the freezing point)."
Once the gutter or downspout becomes blocked by ice, the system can no longer channel water away from the roof and foundation. The overloaded gutter hangs heavy with ice and water, putting extra stress on brackets, fasteners and the fascia, which results in sagging gutters, pull-away joints or even cracked sections. At Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters, we caution that “Ice dams can tear off gutters, cause water to pour into/onto your house, and even loosen shingles.”
You may be wondering what you can do to protect your home if you live in Spokane and North Idaho? First, proactive maintenance matters. Ensure gutters and downspouts are free and clear of debris so melting snow can flow unrestricted. At Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters, we recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice a year, especially before winter sets in.
Second, consider installing winter-specific safeguards for preventing ice build-up: heat cables or snow breaks. Heat cables, installed inside gutters or downspouts, will keep the metal warm enough so that melting water continues to flow rather than freezing. Snow breaks (also called snow guards) on a metal roof help stop a sudden avalanche of snow which can overload gutters.
Lastly, timing is everything. Installing these systems in the spring or summer gives you a head start before freeze-thaw pressures arrives. At Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters, we urge homeowners to install a set of heat cables in early summer before rough weather hits.
In short, if you own a home in the Spokane or North Idaho area, don’t underestimate the potential for damage from freeze-thaw cycles. With clear gutters, proper downspout flow, and winter-ready systems like heat cables or snow breaks, you can protect your gutter system and therefore your roof, walls and foundation, too. A little preparation now can help prevent a lot of frustration later.
Installing rain gutters is a specialized service. The crew at Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters is here for you. Founded in 1992, our family-owned business employs a team of tradesmen and experts who offer over 100 years of combined and accumulated experience, industry-knowledge, and local support. As lifelong residents of the Spokane area, we take pride in the service and products our team provides. If you have questions about gutters, we have the answers. Contact Rainman Seamless Rain Gutters for more information.











