When you think of the exterior of your house, you normally do not automatically think about the gutters. However, you might want to start paying attention to them because when your gutters begin to not work properly, it can cause frustration and many headaches. In other words, they become a major hassle. Gutters that malfunction create pools of water on the ground and foundation problems…

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This post first appeared on https://gutterpros.com/

Ice is one of the biggest nuisances for homeowners in the winter. Whether it creates slick sidewalks or icicles hanging from the gutters, ice poses a serious threat to your home and to your safety, as well as that of your family. Ice that builds up along the roofline and in the gutters can lead to ice damming, which can result in costly damage to both the interior and the exterior of your home.

Smart Deicing Solutions

If slippery walkways and ice damming are a concern for you, there are several deicing solutions you can try. Here are some of the most common options.

• Heating cables. A heating cable is a heavy-duty electrical cord that gets hot enough to melt snow and ice. Most companies install heating cables in a zigzag pattern along the eaves of the roof, which can be unsightly.

• Heat tape. Heat tape is very similar to a heating cable, and is designed to create an opening under the ice dam just big enough to allow any water that’s trapped above the dam to drain off the roof. Heat tape can only melt a small area of ice around the tape, however, so a gutter full of ice will stay full of ice. And if the downspout is blocked, you’re in a jam.

• Heated mesh. Heated mesh is installed under the shingles, not on top of them. The installation of heated mesh needs to be done at the same time the roof is installed for best results. If you don’t need a new roof, this isn’t a viable option.

• Heated pans. Ice dams can cover large areas on low-slope roofs and cause major leaks without ever forming icicles. A pan is a type of metal flashing that covers a protrusion in a roof, so a heated pan will melt ice on that section. However, it won’t help with ice damming in other areas.

• Helmet Heat®. Helmet Heat is an innovative, self-regulating gutter heating cable that warms up only when needed, making it not only effective, but energy-efficient as well. Helmet Heat installs inside Gutter Helmet® gutter guards, so there are no unsightly wires that could become a fire hazard or cause damage to your roof. Contact us to learn more about why Helmet Heat is your best option.

Request a Free Helmet Heat® Estimate Today

If you’re interested in a smart, simple solution to ice buildup on and around your home, give the experts at Gutter Helmet a call. We’ll arrange for a local dealer to provide you with a free estimate on Helmet Heat heated gutters.

The post 5 De Icing Options for Roofs & How They Rate appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

If you live in a cold-weather climate within the U.S., such as the midwest or northeast, Fall has turned into deep Winter. For many of us, that means more time spent at home, cozied up with a hot cup of coffee, while avoiding the crisp winter air.

However, that does not mean your rain gutters get to share the same interior enjoyment. While you’re inside getting warm, your rain gutters are taking a beating from all the heavy ice weighing them down.

Winter gutter maintenance is just as critical as any other season. What makes the Winter period worth discussing, is the level of safety involved.

Safely Cleaning Your Gutters During Winter

If you are the type of DIY homeowner, and you’ve taken on the responsibility of cleaning your rain gutters yourself, bravo! We applaud hard-working Americans who want to get their hands dirty (so to speak) and work on the care and maintenance of their gutters themselves… but DIY gutter cleaning is dangerous, especially in the winter. The key to gutter safety is always to stay off the ladder completely and get professional help. However, if you plan to clean your gutters yourself this winter, please be cognizant of the following dangers, and note our recommended safety protocols.

• Remember that every other time you clean your gutters during the year, you’re likely picking out leaves, debris, and other matter with your hands. Although these leaves could be wet from rain, they certainly aren’t frozen like snow and ice. Plan to use a scooper to fetch the ice and snow out of the gutters, rather than using your hand. Using your hand to retrieve snow leads to you losing feeling in your fingers, which could make working on a ladder, or being on the roof more dangerous. In a less extreme concern, that type of exposure to snow and ice could lead to getting a cut on your hand, if you are not careful.
• Furthermore, bring another object to chip any icicles off the rain gutter while you’re up there. This doesn’t have to be anything too specific, as something like a small metal camping shovel would do. Just remember, you don’t want to use your hands, even with gloves, to remove snow, ice, and icicles.
• We hate to state the obvious, but if you’re dealing with the ice and snow in your gutters you are likely dealing with it on the ground as well. Always use a ladder when attending to your gutters, and during winter, make sure to wear rubber-soled shoes to try and limit any slipping or sliding.

What to Look for When Cleaning Your Gutters in Winter

If you follow the safety protocols outlined above, you can feel a little better about the position you’re putting yourself in to clean your gutters during winter. Once you’re up there, make sure to inspect each of the following:

• First, check for any obvious damage. Whether it’s a hole in the gutter, rotting, or a clog, make sure the obvious damage gets noted and addressed immediately. This should include removing as much as you’re able to remove out of the gutters (aka cleaning).
• Then, check to see if any water is pooling. You don’t want any pooling water in the gutter system, because that means it is compromised. After all, gutters are supposed to make water flow out of the gutter system. 
• Third, check to see if there is any seepage. Inspect all gaps and seams between the gutter and the fascia to see if any water is leaking through.
• Once you’ve had a chance to audit all of these aspects of your rain gutters, it’s time to decide how you want to address any issues.

Ned Stevens: A Trusted Rain Gutter Maintenance Company

If after you’ve identified all of the issues with your rain gutters, you’re concerned about fixing the problems yourself, call Ned Stevens at 800-542-0267. We are a trusted, and national rain gutter maintenance company, who have worked on more gutter systems during winter than we can remember.

If the issue feels complicated, like one of your gutters has an ice dam, we would strongly urge our clients to give us a call. A complicated issue during the most difficult time of the season to clean a gutter is a recipe for a disaster, and Ned Stevens has insured professionals ready for same-day maintenance. 

Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels

The post Can Gutter Cleaning Be Done in Winter? first appeared on Gutter Talk.

This post first appeared on https://nedstevens.com

If you’ve gone outside in a storm and seen water dripping out of seams in your gutters, or started to feel like they’re not properly draining, then it’s time to consider whether you need gutter replacement or repair in Oklahoma City. However, that can be a challenge—how do you know if you just need some repairs done, or a full replacement of some or all of the materials?

Inspecting and evaluating your gutters is best left to a professional, but there are some steps you can take as a homeowner to help make this decision easier. By preparing yourself for a discussion with your gutter professional, you can work together to come to the right solution.

How to repair localized damage

If the damage to your gutters appears to be confined to one or two specific areas, then you might be able to get away with just performing repairs to those spots. These are usually going to be small tears or breaks in the gutter, which you can actually fix yourself if you’re confident on a ladder. Basically, all you’ll need to do is wash the dirt and grime from the area in question with alcohol, and then use specialty gutter sealant to close up these areas. This can be a messy process, so for best results, make sure you wear disposable latex gloves.

Deciding between gutter replacement or repair in Oklahoma City doesn’t have to be a difficult choice—sometimes it can just make sense to try basic DIY repairs first and see what happens.

When to replace

There are some telltale scenarios when it becomes clear that you’re going to want to replace your home’s gutters rather than attempt stopgap repairs. For starters, seeing that your gutters are consistently separating from each other is usually a sign that repairs won’t be enough. Along the same lines, seeing rusty portions appear is another red flag. Rust usually means things have progressed too much for repairs to do much good, as do damaged or failing fasteners. These fasteners are made to last, so if they’re constantly popping out and falling down into the yard, it’s usually a sign that the gutters themselves are the culprit. At this point, you should know it’s time to replace gutters in Oklahoma City and call in a professional technician.

Other warning signs

The general rule of thumb is that if an issue is confined to one spot, you can probably get away with repairs rather than replacement. If the problem is becoming more systemic and you’re noticing things like stains along your house, eroding paint on the gutter or signs of accumulating water and mildew in the gutters, then it’s probably time to start fresh.

While DIY repair work is usually possible, working with a professional team like L & S Seamless Guttering means gutter repair or a full replacement installation will be done right the first time around. We have almost 40 years of experience in gutter replacement and repair in Oklahoma City, so you know you can rely on our expertise. Give us a call today and let us inspect and evaluate your gutters so you’ll be ready for the precipitation of winter and spring!

This post first appeared on https://lsseamlessgutter.com/

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