Snow and ice resistant gutter system

Abstract

A snow and ice resistant gutter system which more effectively and efficiently prevents the formation of ice dams. The gutter system comprises an elongated gutter adapted to be affixed to a building and a heating element for placement in the gutter for melting snow and ice which accumulates on or in the gutter. The gutter includes at least one wall defining a water-carrying channel and an elongated slot formed in the wall. The slot is sized and configured for receiving the heating element therein. The elongated slot has a depth approximately equal to the diameter of the heating element so that the heating element is generally flush with the top surface of the gutter wall so as not to block the flow of water or trap debris in the gutter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to gutters and ice and snow melting systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a snow and ice resistant gutter system. [0003] 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0004] Gutters are often installed on houses and other buildings to collect and carry away water from roofs and other sloped surfaces. Gutters and the sloped surfaces to which they are attached are unfortunately subject to the accumulation of snow and ice, especially in colder climates. Accumulated snow and ice can cause “ice dams” which interfere with the normal shedding and collection of water. As water backs up behind an ice dam on a roof or a gutter, it can flow through small cracks in the roof or spaces between the roof and the gutter. Over prolonged periods of time, the freezing and subsequent thawing cycle of the water expands these cracks, eventually damaging the roof and underlying materials. Ice and snow which a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of gutters and snow and ice melting systems. More particularly, the present invention provides a snow and ice resistant gutter system which more effectively and efficiently prevents the formation of ice dams.

[0009] One embodiment of the invention is a gutter system comprising an elongated gutter adapted to be affixed to a building and a heating element for placement in the gutter for melting snow and ice which accumulates on or in the gutter. The gutter includes at least one wall defining a water-carrying channel and an elongated slot formed in the wall. The slot is sized and configured for receiving the heating element therein. The elongated slot preferably has a depth approximately equal to the diameter of the heating element so that the heating element is generally flush with the top surface of the gutter wall so as not to block the flow of water or trap debris in the gutter.

Problems solved by technology

Gutters and the sloped surfaces to which they are attached are unfortunately subject to the accumulation of snow and ice, especially in colder climates.

Accumulated snow and ice can cause “ice dams” which interfere with the normal shedding and collection of water.

Over prolonged periods of time, the freezing and subsequent thawing cycle of the water expands these cracks, eventually damaging the roof and underlying materials.

Ice and snow which accumulates on a gutter can also slowly pull the gutter away from the building, leaving gaps between the gutter and the building.

Water can then run through these gaps rather than being carried away from the building by the gutter and thus cause damage to the building.

Ice dams also often break away and fall to the ground, potentially causing injury to persons and damage to property below.

Use of such fasteners creates holes in the roofs and / or gutters, resulting in damage due to water infiltration and the subsequent freezing and thawing described above.

This placement of heating cables on top of roof shingles and gutters also creates an impediment to the normal flow of water and can trap leaves and other debris.

Heating cables and other de-icing products can be installed underneath roof shingles to avoid some of the above-described problems, but doing so requires a great deal of labor, especially for existing roofs.

Covering heating cables with shingles also reduces their ability to melt snow and ice and increases the risk of fires.

Another problem with placing heating cables under roof shingles is that melted snow and ice often re-freezes once it drains into the gutter attached to the roof and reaches the gutter downspouts.

Unfortunately, however, the heating cables must either be stapled or otherwise fastened to inner walls of the downspouts or they tend to hang near the centers of the downspouts and catch leaves and other debris.

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