Gutter Drain Pipe Frozen

The only guaranteed way to keep the pipe from freezing is to bury it below the frost line which ranges between 32 and 48 inches in most areas of the snow belt.

Gutter drain pipe frozen.

Frozen downspouts can cause costly damage. Disconnect the gutter downspout from where it connects to the drain pipe. Pitch of pipe and type of pipe. Add a steeper slope to your piping.

Water is less likely to freeze inside your pipes if the flow of water is continuous. The first tip has to do with the initial installation of the underground gutter extension. It also makes it harder to manage during cold climates. Here are 3 tips to help prevent freezing of those pipes.

Consistently frozen downspouts require immediate attention. Turn on a garden hose to its most powerful setting and run water through the drain pipe. Lay out the pipe lengths and fittings. Over time the ice may back up into your gutters themselves thereby creating extra weight on your entire guttering system.

Check to see if water and debris come out the other end of the pipe. Proper pitch in the drainage tubing is crucial. If you let your gutters dump water into your french drain you may find your french drain gets clogged with debris which will make it less effective. However consistently frozen or frozen solid downspouts may require immediate attention especially if weather conditions will be less than ideal for the foreseeable future.

The tubing needs to have a 1 4 of drop per foot of pipe. This can lead to your gutter and downspout tearing away from your roof or siding leading to more costly and larger problems such as water leaks and improper drainage. Digging a trench that deep is only practical when the end of the pipe drains into a dry well or is connected to an existing drain line.