The Maryland "February Thaw": 5 Signs Your Gutters Survived (or Didn’t) This Winter
- Shepherd & Sons Inc.
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Mid-Winter Warning
February in Central Maryland is a roller coaster. One day it’s 25°F in Towson, the next it’s a 50°F "thaw" in Columbia. This constant freeze-thaw cycle is actually more dangerous for your gutters than a single heavy snowstorm.
As the ice melts this week, Shepherd & Sons wants you to look for these five "red flags" before the heavy spring rains arrive in March.
1. The "Daylight" Gap
Walk around your home at noon. Do you see daylight between your gutter and the fascia board? Ice is heavy—often weighing several hundred pounds when a gutter is full. This weight frequently pulls nails or hidden hangers loose.
Pro Tip: If you see a gap, don't wait for spring. A sagging gutter can rot your fascia board in weeks.
2. Frozen "Beards" (Icicles)
While they look pretty, icicles hanging from the bottom or behind your gutters are a sign of Ice Damming. This means water is backing up under your shingles. As a licensed MHIC contractor (#51349), we see this lead to interior ceiling leaks every February.
3. "Tiger Striping" and New Stains
Notice dark vertical lines on the front of your gutters? This is "Tiger Striping." It happens when debris-filled water overflows because the inside is still blocked by frozen slush. It’s a sign your system's capacity is being
pushed to the limit.
4. Split Seams (The Case for Seamless)
If you have old sectional gutters (the kind with plastic or caulked joints), February is when they fail. Ice expansion "pops" those seams open.
Our Solution: We custom-fabricate seamless aluminum gutters on-site to eliminate these weak points entirely.
5. Ground Erosion
Look at the mulch or soil directly under your gutters. Are there deep pits or "splash marks"? This means your gutters overtopped during the thaw. In Maryland's clay-heavy soil, this leads to wet basements and foundation cracks.
Why Trust Shepherd & Sons This Season?
We’ve been serving Central Maryland since 1997. We don't use subcontractors, and we provide a full satisfaction sign-off on every job. Whether you’re in Howard County, Anne Arundel, or Baltimore, we know exactly how our local humidity and "wintry mixes" affect your home’s drainage. Don't wait for the April Showers.
