On a clear installation day, it’s easy to forget what gutters will eventually face.
There’s no rain. No snow. No visible weight. However, as Ronny from SLATOR-USA explains, the real test doesn’t happen on a sunny afternoon. It happens during rare winter events—when sleet slides, ice builds, and gutters suddenly carry extreme load.
That’s why proper planning matters.
Why Gutter Load Planning Starts at Installation
During installation, gutters appear light and stress-free. Yet winter tells a very different story.
After a major storm, sleet and ice can fill a gutter completely. Unlike snow, sleet doesn’t stick—it slides. As a result, ice settles directly into the gutter, creating sustained weight that can last far longer than a single storm.
Without proper support, that load causes gutters to sag, pull away, or fail altogether.
Bracket Spacing Makes or Breaks the System
This is where many installations go wrong.
Some installers reduce bracket count to save time. Others underestimate future load. Unfortunately, both decisions lead to the same outcome—overstressed gutters.
SLATOR-USA takes a different approach.
By installing brackets at 16-inch to 24-inch centers, the gutter system distributes weight evenly across the structure. That spacing allows the system to carry ice load for a long time, not just briefly.
If installers cut that number in half, the risk increases dramatically.
Why Nordic Steel Gutters Handle Ice Better
Material matters just as much as spacing.
Ronnie points out that Nordic Steel Gutters perform where other systems fail. Steel maintains rigidity under sustained load, unlike aluminum or copper systems that bend, deform, or collapse when overloaded.
In fact, many copper gutters fail not because of material cost—but because they lack sufficient bracket support.
Steel gutters paired with proper spacing change that equation entirely.
Rare Events Aren’t Rare Anymore
Winter storms like this may feel unusual, but they happen often enough to demand preparation.
When gutters fail, repairs aren’t simple:
- Materials are expensive
- Labor is significant
- Damage often spreads beyond the gutter itself
Planning for ice load during installation prevents all of that.
Don’t Skimp. Build for the Load.
Installing more brackets takes time.
Planning for worst-case scenarios takes intention.
But the payoff is clear:
- Gutters stay in place
- Ice loads stay supported
- Homes stay protected
As Ronny puts it plainly: don’t skimp on brackets.
Plan for the load—and your gutter system will survive the storm.