Ice Dams on a Historic Tudor Home in Scarsdale, NY

Winter in Scarsdale, New York often brings long stretches of freezing temperatures followed by sunny afternoons that trigger rapid snowmelt. While the warmer sun can feel like relief after a storm, those repeated freeze–thaw cycles are one of the leading causes of ice dams on older homes.

Recently, George and his team were called to inspect a 1920s Tudor-style home in Scarsdale where large icicles had formed along the roofline. While icicles may look picturesque, they often signal a more serious issue developing inside the gutter system.

What Was Happening

Behind the decorative row of icicles, a thick ridge of ice had formed along the eaves. As melting snow refroze along the edge of the roof, water began backing up behind the gutter system. The added weight from the ice buildup placed significant stress on the gutter hanger system, causing sections of the gutter to begin sagging.

In homes with complex rooflines — especially historic architecture like Tudors — ice can collect unevenly and put pressure on mounting hardware.

How the Problem Was Corrected

George’s team carefully removed the ice buildup without damaging the roofline or gutters. Once the system was cleared, they:

Reinforced the gutter hanger system

Corrected the gutter pitch to improve drainage

Inspected the fascia board for moisture damage

Flushed the drainage system to ensure proper flow

Because the home had an aging gutter system, the homeowner also discussed options for a future upgrade to a modern seamless gutter system designed to handle winter runoff more efficiently.

Why Historic Homes Need Special Attention

Older homes in Scarsdale and throughout Westchester County often have rooflines that were designed long before modern drainage systems. Without proper gutter maintenance and repair, heavy ice accumulation can lead to:

Sagging gutters

Fascia damage

Water infiltration

Interior leaks

If you notice heavy icicles or gutters pulling away from the roofline, it’s worth scheduling a professional inspection.

Learn more about protecting your home from winter drainage problems with our ice dam prevention services.

Our Customers

“George came out quickly when called and gave us some recommendations and an estimate. We were given an appointment quickly for installation and the gutters were up before we knew it. They were efficient, professional, and neat.”
Barbara N.,Gutter Installation -Westchester
“George is a pleasure to work with, from estimate to job completion. His crew was courteous, professional, worked quickly and cleaned up behind them. I have already recommended George to a friend who also hired George. ”
Kathy H.,Gutter Installation -Westchester
“It went perfect. They explained to me various options.They scheduled work with little wait time, arrived punctually, were very pleasant, worked very efficiently and gave me the type of gutter that was necessary for my location. Between the gutter education and the entire work experience I couldn't be more pleased.”
John O.,Gutter Installation -Westchester
“George was the first contractor to contact me after I sent out notes requesting bids. His response was immediate. I collected 3 other bids which couldn't compete price wise. The next closest bid was over 40% higher. The others were considerably higher. Since George's price was so competitive, I had a lot of questions. George patiently answered them all. When George's crew came out, they were professional and courteous. They first checked-in with George to make sure they fully understood the job and did a great job. When they discovered that design for one downspout was in the wrong place, they suggested a better alternative. After the job was done, they cleaned up as though they were never here!”
Stephen R.,