Guide
Getting your gutters ready for a Quebec winter
Heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles, a thaw in the middle of January: our winters are among the toughest there are for a gutter system. Here's how to get it ready properly, and what happens if you don't.
Why winter is so hard on your gutters
In Quebec, a gutter doesn't just handle rain. It also has to deal with three things that are specific to our climate:
- Freeze-thaw cycles. In the Laurentians and Lanaudière, the temperature drops below zero and climbs back up dozens of times each winter. Water left in a poorly draining gutter freezes, expands, then thaws. Over time, that splits the joints and pulls out the fasteners.
- The weight of snow and ice. A gutter full of ice is heavy. If it's already sagging or poorly fastened, winter is often when it comes down.
- Thaws. When it rains on a snow-covered roof, all that water arrives at once. If the downspout is blocked, it overflows right at the base of the foundation, onto ground that's still frozen and can't absorb it.
A gutter that goes into winter empty, well fastened and with clear downspouts gets through all of that without a problem. A gutter full of leaves doesn't.
The right time for the last cleaning
The rule is simple: after all the leaves have fallen, and before the ground freezes for good.
- North Shore of Montreal, Laval, Lower Laurentians, southern Lanaudière: usually from late October to late November.
- Upper Laurentians, Matawinie, Antoine-Labelle: leaves fall and the frost comes earlier, often by late October. Aim earlier.
- Lots surrounded by conifers: needles fall all year, but mostly in the fall. A later cleaning is better.
The 12-point checklist
Whether you do it yourself or with us, here's what needs to be taken care of before winter.
In the gutter
- Empty the gutter completely: leaves, needles, maple seeds, mud and shingle granules.
- Clear every downspout and check the elbows, where clogs form.
- Test the flow with a hose: water should come out freely at the bottom of each downspout.
- Check the slope: a section that holds standing water will turn into a block of ice.
On the structure
- Tighten the fasteners: tap loose nails back in, add screwed-in hangers where the gutter sags.
- Redo cracked joints, or the frost will open them further.
- Inspect the fascia behind the gutter: soft or stained wood means water is already getting in.
- Trim branches that hang over the roof: they load it with snow and debris.
On the ground
- Point the extensions away from the foundation, but not toward the driveway, sidewalk or stairs: water that refreezes there is a guaranteed fall.
- Remove thin plastic roll-out extensions, which freeze and tear.
- Clear the outlet of buried drains and make sure the grate isn't blocked.
- Disconnect the garden hose and shut off the outdoor faucet's supply if it isn't frost-proof.
Points 1 to 6 are all part of our complete 12-step maintenance. Fasteners, up to 2 joints and up to 10 hangers are included at no charge.
Ice dams: understanding and preventing them
The ice dam is the winter nightmare of Quebec homeowners. Here's how it forms:
- Heat from the house escapes through a poorly insulated or poorly ventilated attic.
- It warms the upper part of the roof, and the snow melts there.
- The water runs down to the edge of the roof, which is cold because it sticks out past the heated wall, and it freezes again.
- A ridge of ice forms. The next meltwater pools behind it, backs up under the shingles and seeps into the attic or the walls.
What really helps
- Having the attic insulation and ventilation assessed by a roofing or insulation professional.
- Going into winter with empty gutters and clear downspouts.
- Clearing the snow at the bottom of the roof with a roof rake, from the ground, after a big snowfall.
What you should never do
- Break the ice with a hammer or a pick: you'll damage the shingles and the gutter.
- Climb a ladder leaning on a gutter loaded with ice.
- Throw de-icing salt on the roof or in the gutter: it rusts steel and damages shingles.
Extensions and drains: the classic mistake
The most common mistake we see in winter: an extension pointing at the driveway or the stairs. At the first thaw, water flows there and then refreezes overnight.
The second mistake: a downspout connected to the foundation drain. Many municipalities actually prohibit it. During a thaw, that connection sends a huge volume of water straight to the foundation, and sometimes into the sewer system. Check what your town's bylaw says.
To compare the options (rigid, hinged, roll-out, swivel, buried), see our guide to the types of extensions.
During the winter: what to watch for
- Huge icicles in a single spot: a sign of a blocked downspout or heat escaping in that area.
- A gutter leaning under the weight: stay away from it and note the spot for spring.
- Water stains on the ceiling or high up on the walls during a thaw: an ice dam is probably the cause.
- Water running down the wall instead of coming out of the downspout.
For safety, never remove a big icicle hanging over a door or a walkway yourself. Block off the area underneath instead.
In spring: taking stock
Once the snow has melted, walk around the house:
- Sections pulled down or bent by the ice.
- Joints opened up by the frost.
- Extensions crushed by snow removal equipment.
- Erosion at the bottom of the downspouts.
Spring, after the maple seeds fall, is also the ideal time for the second cleaning of the year. Our before/after photos show you exactly what winter left behind.
