How to Deal With Frozen Downspouts in Winter

The post How to Deal With Frozen Downspouts in Winter appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Going to the doctor’s office for a routine checkup is one of the many freedoms that modern medicine allows us. Even though you may not feel sick, it’s always good to know just how healthy you are, and what you can do to remain healthy. Just like you, your gutters should be getting a routine checkup to make sure they’re stable and ready to withstand even the harshest weather.

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

Your gutters can be easy to forget about, but they’re an extremely important part of keeping your Oklahoma City, OK home well maintained. They move water away from your home’s exterior walls, windows, doors and foundation, preventing water from causing leaks and getting inside your house. Gutter repair shouldn’t be put off if it’s needed, but how do you know if your gutters need repair? Here are some signs to look out for that indicate you need gutter repair.

Sagging gutters

One of the most obvious signs that something is wrong with your gutters is when they start to sag or pull away from your home. This can indicate that gutters are so full of water that the weight is pulling them down. Obviously, gutters are supposed to drain water, so something is wrong if this is happening. Sagging gutters can require some serious gutter repair, even if the problem is simply caused by blockages and not a more serious or complicated issue.

Cracks and splits

No one needs to be told they need gutter repair if their gutters have broken in two, but you might not notice small cracks in your gutters until it’s too late. One of the best tips for maintaining rain gutters is to inspect them often so you know when something is going wrong. Though small cracks might not seem like a big deal, they will split and get bigger faster than you might think. If you allow cracks to go unaddressed, water can damage more than just your gutters. Cracked gutters can damage the boards behind them, the shingles above them and even the foundation.

Peeling paint and discoloration

The paint on your gutters is meant to protect them from all kinds of weather in Oklahoma City, OK. If your gutters are very old, there is bound to be some wear and tear, but if you notice peeling paint or flecks of orange color, you might have a water problem. Orange is an early sign of rust, which could mean water is sitting in your gutters. Sitting or pooling water is a bad sign of gutters failing to drain properly.

Water marks beneath gutters

A warning sign beyond peeling paint, water marks or water damage on the bottom of or just beneath your gutters are also signs of insufficient drainage. Be sure to check your gutters at least once a year when there is no rain so you can tell if there are any water marks around your gutters. If you see water marks, that means your gutters are leaking or overflowing when it rains, which can cause damage to your soffit and fascia.

Pooling water and mildew

Gutters are supposed to move water out and away from your home, so if you notice mildew growing near your foundation—or worse, pooling water—it’s clear that your gutters aren’t doing their job. This could be caused simply by a clog or by a more complex issue. Either way, it will be cheaper to address the gutter repair than to allow pooling water to cause damage to your foundation, which requires expensive and time-consuming repairs.

Schedule repairs today

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, contact the experts at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to assisting you!

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

The sight of people falling off of ladders, roofs and other high places is often used for comic relief on TV and in the movies. Unfortunately, in real life, these situations aren’t at all funny. There are far too many things that can go wrong when homeowners attempt to clean their gutters without taking the necessary safety precautions. 

What Not to Do When Cleaning Gutters

You can prevent potentially life-threatening personal injuries by avoiding these common mistakes when cleaning out your gutters.

• Putting convenience ahead of safety. Reaching the second level of a home to clean gutters can be extremely difficult, and generally requires the use of safety harnesses and gutter cleaning tools. When dealing with a difficult roof, plan for safety, not convenience. Never attempt to place a stepladder on the roof of your home in order to reach the second level. An extension ladder is ideal for a structure two stories tall or higher.
• Not having a spotter. Stepladders can be dangerous because they give a false sense of security. Because they’re braced against the ground, many users feel they don’t need a spotter. Regardless of the type of ladder you use, there should always be a second person there with you to act as a spotter and hold the ladder steady at the bottom.
• Overreaching. Ladders are heavy and awkward to maneuver, so it can be tempting to try to reach out as far as possible when cleaning out the gutters to avoid having to reposition it. Don’t overreach, lean to one side or try to move the ladder while on it. Instead, climb down and move it closer to where you need to work.
• Not inspecting the ladder first. All ladders should be inspected for cracks and broken or loose hardware before being used. Note the maximum load capacity or duty rating of a ladder to avoid collapse.
• Improper footwear. When moving up and down a ladder, remember to wear clean shoes with rubber soles to prevent slip-and-fall accidents.

Taking the proper precautions when cleaning gutters is key to a safe, successful experience. However, for many individuals, gutter cleaning is simply too risky and too physically demanding. For these homeowners, a Gutter Helmet® gutter shield installation is a very wise investment. 

Get the Best Gutter Guards in America

With Gutter Helmet gutter shield to keep out leaves and other debris, you won’t have to worry about climbing ladders and risking serious personal injury. To find out more about the best gutter guards in America and to learn about how to clean gutters with gutter guards, call (800) 824-3772 or complete our contact form.

The post Avoid the 5 Most Dangerous Gutter Cleaning Mistakes appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Out of all of the problems you can encounter with an asphalt shingle roof, discoloration from long black streaks is one of the most common. Our cleaners at Propel Pressure Cleaning have years of experience cleaning roofs, so we can explain exactly what causes these black streaks on your roof and how to remove them. You’ll quickly see that our company offers the roof cleaning Warner Robins, GA residents trust.

What Causes Black Streaks?

Rather than dirt or mold, blacks streaks on asphalt shingle roofs are caused by the cyanobacteria Gloeocapsa magma, also called roof algae. Each streak is a colony of countless microorganisms that will grow as they feed on the limestone filler in your asphalt shingles. They’re common in humid areas like Warner Robins and are often found on trees and exposed rocks in addition to roofs.

Algae spores are spread by wind and animals, so it’s almost impossible to give your roof foolproof protection. They prefer dark and moist environments, so you are most likely to find black streaks on the north side of your house.

Why You Should Remove Streaks from Your Roof

While the effects of algae on your roof are only cosmetic at first, that’s reason enough to do something about the problem. Ugly black streaks will reduce your home’s curb appeal and, consequently, its value. A dirty roof can make potential buyers worry about needing to repair the roof in the future due to neglect.

If you leave the algae alone for long enough, they will start to cause structural damage to your roof. The dark layer that protects the algae from the sun makes your insulation less effective. It also holds in large amounts of moisture that will damage your shingles and make your roof a more hospitable climate for other molds and mosses.

Algae also eat away at the limestone in your asphalt shingles. In addition to wearing down their granules until your shingles break, the algae push their roots under and through roof tiles to loosen them.

Preventative Measures Against Algae

Roof algae are too common and easily spread to completely prevent, but you can take steps to inhibit their growth on your roof. Copper and zinc in galvanized sheet metal kill algae when they wash down your roof in the rain, so installing metal strips is an effective way to make black streaks less likely. You can also use asphalt shingles that have copper granules mixed in to make them resistant to algae.

How We Can Remove Black Streaks on Your Roof

When you want those black streaks cleaned quickly and thoroughly, call us at Propel Pressure Cleaning. Our insured and certified team uses professional equipment that lets us work on your roof safely and effectively. With a soft washing technique and commercial cleansers, our technicians will completely remove the algae, along with any lichens or mosses, without damaging your shingles.

Instead of attempting dangerous roof work yourself, turn to the professionals to ensure the job gets done right the first time. We provide the best roof cleaning Warner Robins, GA has to offer thanks to our trained specialists and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call 478-335-3375 today to schedule your roof cleaning or a free consultation.

The post How to Remove Black Streaks from Your Roof in Warner Robins, GA appeared first on Propel Pressure Cleaning.

The post Helpful Tips to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth in Winter appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Everyone likes to find ways to save money, especially now-a-days. Doing major projects on your own can be one way of saving money; however, it is not always the safest or a financially smart way. You may be thinking it is time to replace your gutters or get your first gutter system installed. Gutter installation may seem easy and inexpensive, but the job should be left up to the professionals.

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

It’s one thing to advertise that you have a great product and satisfied customers, but it’s quite another to be able to prove it with excellent reviews.

It’s always best to check product and company reviews before undertaking any kind of home improvement project. If you’ve ever thought about installing Gutter Helmet® and have wondered what our customers think about the product, check out some of our recent gutter guard reviews from around the country here.

Top Customer Reviews

“I just had guards installed, the price was reasonable and the salesman and installer were professional and considerate. I would definitely recommend Gutter Helmet since some of my neighbors used other vendors and didn’t have a good experience at all. I’m glad I found them because this is something I really wanted to get done. It isn’t worth the risk of a fall to clean the gutters out yourself and it is one maintenance chore that you shouldn’t fail to do unless you want major repair bills.”  – Janice W., Facebook, December 2020

“Excellent work done by the Gutter Helmet crew – they were efficient and the new gutters look great. I was impressed that they showed up as scheduled, since there had been a couple of days of rain before the appointment, and I expected they might have to delay the job – but they were there bright and early; they verified where we wanted the downspouts, and installed everything in about 6 hours. The price was pretty much in the ballpark as other companies, maybe a bit on the high end, but the quality was worth it. I would recommend this company – and Dave was very open and flexible, always answered questions promptly.” – Steve S., Yelp, June 2020

“The crew showed up early and were wearing masks and following all the Covid protocols.  They were polite, professional, and did a good job explaining what they needed to do. We had a large 20+ feet long gutter replaced and multiple 2 story downspouts.  They were clean and efficient, new material looks great.  Would recommend them 100% and when we have to replace more gutters will definitely be calling them.  Great job.” – Brian F., Yelp, December 2020

“We used Harry Helmet to install our Gutter Helmets 16 years ago. Their lifetime warranty was always honored for minor adjustments to manage water flow on our roof and annually for maintenance to clean out the gutters. All for the original price. That was a deciding factor in choosing Harry Helmet to perform our roofing needs. The price was competitive and fair, but knowing how well Harry Helmet honors their lifetime warranty is why we chose the Lifetime Warranty option for this roofing job. Their installation team arrived on time and worked until sunset to complete the job. They came back the next morning to clean up and it was like they were never here. No debris was left behind. I highly recommend the Harry Helmet team to anyone looking to redo their roofing.” – Justin S., HomeAdvisor, July 2020

“Installers of our gutter helmets went above and beyond to be sure that everything was done right. They were very friendly and took time to answer our questions.” – Robert H., HomeAdvisor, December 2020

Get Gutter Helmet® for Your Home

These gutter protection system reviews from real people prove that when homeowners need gutter covers, Gutter Helmet is the company to call. To find a Gutter Helmet dealer near you and learn more about the best gutter covers, give us a call at (800) 824-3772 or submit our online form!

The post More Than Just Talk: Our Top Gutter Helmet®️ Reviews appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Winter always brings some complications to homeowners in Oklahoma City, OK. Ice causes all kinds of problems, whether it’s forming icicles on your roofline, causing gutters to warp or crack or creating ice dams on your roof. Ice dams can cause water to pool and flood over your gutters, potentially creating leaks on your roof or the sides of your home. Ice can also weigh down your gutters, causing them to detach and break. Downspouts in winter can definitely freeze and cause damage to your home in Oklahoma, OK. Here are some things you can do to keep your downspouts from freezing this winter.

Always keep your gutters clean

Chances are, some leaves will make it into your gutters even if you don’t have a tree growing directly next to your house. Leaves, twigs and other everyday debris can clog your gutters and cause water to pool, then freeze in your downspouts in winter. To keep downspouts from freezing, you should make sure to clean your gutters every fall before the weather turns cold. Removing leaves, debris and other buildup will prevent clogs and frozen water in your downspouts in winter.

Get gutter guards to help

If you have trouble remembering to clean your gutters thoroughly every fall, or if you just hate doing it, you should consider installing gutter guards. The experts at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK can help you install gutter guards that will keep your gutters clean and prevent your downspouts from freezing in the winter. There are durable protection systems that will last a long time and eliminate the need to dig dirt and other muck out of your gutters ever again.

Make sure your gutters are installed correctly

If you have older gutters or gutters that were installed incorrectly, they could be causing issues for your downspouts in the winter. Properly installed gutters will help prevent ice dams from forming on your roof because they will be adequately sloped. The correct slope of a gutter system allows rain to drain through the gutters to the downspouts. Gutters that are installed too flat won’t properly drain, causing water to sit and freeze overnight. If you have any questions about gutter installation, the experts at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK can help.

Consider using rock salt

Rock salt is the stuff you use to prevent ice from forming on your sidewalks. Many homeowners use it without realizing that it can also help them keep their downspouts from freezing in the winter. Sprinkle some rock salt in your gutters if you notice icicles starting to form, and you will get ahead of any problems you may have with freezing downspouts in the winter.

Get ahead of the problem

Hopefully these tips will help you to keep your downspouts from freezing in the winter. The best thing you can do, however, is have high-quality, long-lasting gutters installed by careful and qualified professionals. If you need new gutters or gutter guards, or if you have any questions about gutters, contact the team at L & S Seamless Guttering in Oklahoma City, OK today.

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

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