Gutters don’t like the cold weather.

Winter 2026

This is the first in a series of quarterly articles to help homeowners with things you can do yourself now that can avoid expensive gutter leak repair work later. 

As a local family company, ABV Contractors wants to be your resource when you need us and your source for expertise and advice when you don’t. The article below is one way we can help by sharing simple insights.

Since we’re in the Cleveland area, we all know plenty about tough winters — including all the problems they can bring — some more obvious than others.

One you might not think about is the potential damage that can result from freezing in your gutters or downspouts. It’s easy to think, “What’s the big deal?” After all, if it’s warm enough to rain, then it won’t be frozen anymore, and the gutters can work just like they always do. Unfortunately, this freeze-thaw cycle is what causes the damage. When snow in the gutter melts and then refreezes, it creates what’s called an ice dam.

Here’s an example: Gutters blocked with leaves, twigs, and other debris don’t let the water pass as it normally would. This causes frozen dams that could lead to damage to the roof or soffit. Gutters will warp and crack, so this roof, soffit, and shingle damage can allow water to reach the inside of your home through ceilings, wall cavities, and under flooring. Ultimately, water may then puddle in the foundation area. That’s how leaking gutters can cause water damage along the foundation and even on the exterior of the home.

We know this from experience because ABV Contractors receives most of our calls in the winter due to cracks and leaks in basements and foundations. Gutter downspouts, which guard your home against foundation damage, can allow water to escape when clogged. Disconnected pipes like downspouts or sump pump discharge lines can lead to washout and/or damage to the exterior of the home. 

What can you do? 

Preventative measures are the easiest and least expensive ways to ensure against issues that can damage your home’s roof, foundation, and exterior: 

• Inspect and clear any gutter and gutter downspout blockages 
• Inspect to ensure all gutters and downspouts do not have leaks or disconnections 
• Check that your gutters are properly sloped or pitched to drain correctly and efficiently 
• Trim overhanging branches, which are often the main source of leaves and twigs that create clogging 
• If you don’t already have them, install gutter guards 
• Consider adding deicing cables or tape to promote the melting process inside the gutter 
• Enhance attic insulation and ventilation to inhibit roof heat from melting snow and overloading gutters 
• To check a sump pump discharge line, manually trigger the pump by pouring water into the pit, then immediately outside to verify water flows freely from the pipe’s exit. Check for clogs, ice, cracks, or blockages that prevent proper drainage away from the foundation. You should also inspect the pipe for damage and ensure the check valve moves freely.

If damage to your home’s foundation, exterior, and basement does occur, don’t wait. Call us at 440-951-9420 as soon as possible, because the longer you wait, the more gutter leak repair work will be needed. ABV Contractors Co. is the greater Cleveland area expert in protecting your home’s structural integrity. We’ll inspect, analyze, recommend, and implement what you need and only what you need.