Gutter Drain Pipe Frozen

Lay out the pipe lengths and fittings.

Gutter drain pipe frozen.

Water is less likely to freeze inside your pipes if the flow of water is continuous. Pitch of pipe and type of pipe. The tubing needs to have a 1 4 of drop per foot of pipe. Unfortunately we have winters in minnesota and these water drainage systems can freeze.

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. Add a steeper slope to your piping. Over time the ice can back up into your gutters creating additional weight on your entire gutter system. Here are 3 tips to help prevent freezing of those pipes.

Consistently frozen downspouts require immediate attention. 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. It also makes it harder to manage during cold climates. Frozen downspouts can cause costly damage.

Over time the ice may back up into your gutters themselves thereby creating extra weight on your entire guttering system. 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. Check to see if water and debris come out the other end of the pipe.

Turn on a garden hose to its most powerful setting and run water through the drain pipe. The first tip has to do with the initial installation of the underground gutter extension. 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.