Marathon County gutter guard guide (2026)

Updated October 29, 2026. General information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so check with the office listed before you start.

Key facts

Topic	What to know	Source
Snowfall	64.3 inches a year (1991–2020 normal, Wausau Downtown Airport)	Wisconsin State Climatology Office
Precipitation	33.91 inches a year; wettest month June (4.67 in), driest February (1.08 in)	Wisconsin State Climatology Office
Ice dams	Caused mainly by attic heat melting roof snow that refreezes at the eave	NDSU Extension
Local trees	Sugar maple, paper birch, red oak and bigtooth aspen dominate Rib Mountain's forest	Wisconsin DNR
Contractor credential	Dwelling Contractor credential needed to obtain building permits for one- and two-family homes	Wisconsin DSPS
Contracts	Written contract required in many cases; must list price, work and dates	ATCP 110.05
Digging	Notify Diggers Hotline at least 3 days before excavating	PSC of Wisconsin

What do Wausau gutters have to handle?

The Wisconsin State Climatology Office, part of UW–Madison's Nelson Institute, publishes 1991 to 2020 normals for the Wausau Downtown Airport. Normal yearly precipitation is 33.91 inches and normal snowfall is 64.3 inches. June is the wettest month at 4.67 inches and February the driest at 1.08. That means a gutter here spends a long stretch of the year under snow and ice, goes through freeze-thaw cycles, takes the spring melt and then handles the year's heaviest rain in early summer. Strength and drainage matter as much as capacity.

Why do ice dams form?

North Dakota State University Extension calls heat from inside the attic the major cause of the snowmelt that forms ice dams. Warm air leaks into the attic through openings for plumbing, wiring and recessed lights and around attic hatches. It melts snow on the upper roof, and the meltwater refreezes at the cold overhang. NDSU's recommendations:

• Seal openings into the attic, including recessed lights and hatches.
• Insulate; it says attics in northern climates need roughly 18 inches.
• Ventilate with soffit plus ridge or gable vents, and use baffles so insulation doesn't block soffit airflow.
• Clear the lower roof with a roof rake from the ground, staying away from overhead power lines.

An older University of Minnesota Extension fact sheet on ice dams makes a related point about heat tapes: they melt only a few inches around the cable, can create secondary dams and use a lot of energy. Heat cable in gutters and downspouts can help keep a path open for meltwater, but it doesn't solve attic heat loss.

What falls in local gutters?

The Wisconsin DNR describes the forest on Rib Mountain as second-growth woods dominated by sugar maple, paper birch, red oak and bigtooth aspen, with basswood, white ash, red maple and hickory in places. Similar trees shade yards across the Wausau area. Maple seeds and birch catkins are small enough to slip through larger-hole guards. Oak leaves come down late in fall, sometimes after the first snow.

Which guard fits which situation?

Guard type	Strong point	Winter consideration
Stainless micro-mesh	Stops seeds, catkins and needles	Needs a rigid frame to carry snow
Perforated aluminum	Lower cost, good for broad leaves	Small seeds get through
Hood / reverse-curve	Sheds big leaves	Curved nose can ice over
Foam or brush insert	Inexpensive	Holds water and debris, can freeze in place

What credentials should a gutter installer have in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has no license specific to gutter installation. The Department of Safety and Professional Services issues a Dwelling Contractor credential to the owner, partner or chief executive of a contracting business that obtains building permits for one- and two-family dwellings. If your job needs a permit, the contractor pulling it needs that credential, and you can check it on the state's LicensE public lookup.

Wisconsin's home improvement practices rule, ATCP 110, also protects homeowners. Under ATCP 110.05, a written contract is required when you have to pay before the work is finished, or when the seller solicited the job away from its place of business, such as at your door or by phone. The contract must include the seller's name and address, a description of the work and main materials, the total price, the dates or time period for starting and finishing, and any warranty. You must get a copy before work starts or any payment is accepted, changes must be in writing, and the seller must provide lien waivers if you ask for them.

Do gutters need a permit?

Check locally. The City of Wausau's residential permit page lists fences, decks, accessory buildings, new homes and metal roofing requirements but doesn't mention gutters, and directs questions to its Inspections office. The City of Schofield says re-siding needs a permit only when the material changes and doesn't mention gutters either. Weston and Rib Mountain are separate villages with their own offices.

Before anyone digs

Buried downspout lines mean digging. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin says state law requires notifying Diggers Hotline at least three days before excavating. Dial 811.

Hiring checklist

• If a permit is needed, confirm the contractor's Dwelling Contractor credential on LicensE.
• Get a written contract with the price, work description, materials and dates.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance.
• Get the guard product, gutter gauge and size, hanger spacing and downspout plan in writing.
• Ask how the guard and gutters handle snow load and sliding snow.
• Get warranty terms in writing, and ask for lien waivers at the end.

Seasonal checklist

• After the late oak leaf drop: clear gutters and downspouts before they freeze.
• Winter: rake the lower roof from the ground after big snows.
• Spring melt: make sure downspouts are open and extensions are attached.
• Early summer: watch a June storm and note where water spills over.

Sources

• Wisconsin State Climatology Office: Wausau climate data
• NDSU Extension: Prevent ice dams
• University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service: Preventing Ice-Dams on Minnesota Homes (1979)
• Wisconsin DNR: Rib Mountain Talus Forest State Natural Area
• Wisconsin DSPS: Dwelling Contractor
• Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 110.05: Home improvement contract requirements
• Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: Diggers Hotline
• City of Wausau: Residential documents and permits
• City of Schofield: Permit information
• Wikipedia: Wausau, Wisconsin
• Wikipedia: Weston, Wisconsin
• Wikipedia: Rib Mountain, Wisconsin
• Wikipedia: Schofield, Wisconsin