How do I protect rain gutters from ice damage?

[CloverKnollFarms]

That'd be caused by incorrect installation or an incorrect product for the application. Doesn't mean all ice guards are at fault.

My thoughts exactly. All of us in the north have them, never a problem. Sounds like poor construction

 

[grsthegreat]

Nope, ive seen them happen on lots of buildings up here. Problem happens when we get large ice buildups on roofs. Mine had nearly 3’ of ice trapped behind the dams.

i was worried ice dams were going to cause my building to collapse.

now, i just let everything shed off and move mess with tractor. At least everything now sheds instead of just continuing to build up.

 

[BlueKnife]

Nope, ive seen them happen on lots of buildings up here. Problem happens when we get large ice buildups on roofs. Mine had nearly 3’ of ice trapped behind the dams.

i was worried ice dams were going to cause my building to collapse.

now, i just let everything shed off and move mess with tractor. At least everything now sheds instead of just continuing to build up.

There are lots of buildings up here (I'm a contractor in North Idaho) that are built poorly or incorrectly for the region. Wind and snow load, roof pitch, roof size, building insulation level, building orientation, heat leakage etc. all factor in when picking the right product. Plenty of folks don't consider all of the factors and pick the wrong product or install it incorrectly. Plenty of folks in this region also rely on steep, metal clad roofs and poor insulation to keep their building that isn't constructed for the snow load from collapsing.

All that said, there's nothing wrong with letting the snow slide off the roof if it's not gonna get in the way too much. The snow on my place slides off and builds up to the point where I can step from the pile right onto the eave of the roof on my lean-to. Helps keep the wind out of there.

 

[nyone]

I have seen even ladder style snow stops on commercial metal buildings rip right off. I wouldnt try to stop the snow. I would try to lower the gutter enough that it wont get hit by sliding snow/ice.