4 Ways to Effectively Repel Mosquitoes Around Your Home

There’s no denying that the mosquito is one of the peskiest creatures in existence. Around the county, mosquitoes invade yards and even homes every summer, as well as just about every place to which you may travel in the great outdoors. 

Protecting Yourself From Mosquitoes

Follow these tips to take back your outdoor living space from these bloodthirsty insects:

1. Arm yourself. If mosquitoes are a constant presence in your yard, arm yourself with an insect repellent containing DEET. Mosquitoes strongly dislike the smell of this oily chemical, yet at the same time it’s non-toxic to animals and humans. In addition, try wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding colognes, perfumes and scented body products that may attract mosquitoes.
2. Treat standing water. For areas with standing water such as landscaping ponds, birdbaths and drainage ditches, add BTI granules to the water. BTI is a natural larvicide that kills mosquito larvae without harming humans, birds, pets or fish. Also inspect your yard for flower pots, old tires and even toys which have been sitting outside and may contain enough standing water for mosquitoes to lay eggs in.
3. Go green. There are many natural methods for keeping mosquitoes at bay. Citronella candles, for instance, produce a strong scent that masks the smell of humans, as do certain plants including catnip, marigolds, lemon balm, lavender and peppermint. Using fans to keep air moving through outdoor living areas also discourages mosquitoes.
4. Check the gutters. Mosquitoes require only a scant inch of water in which to lay their eggs and multiply, and clogged gutters make an ideal out-of-sight location to do this. As such, it’s important to routinely clean them out to avoid clogs that can create standing water. Consider installing a rain gutter shield like Gutter Helmet® to prevent leaves and debris from entering your gutters and creating the perfect water-logged location for mosquito families to grow.

Invest in Gutter Covers

If mosquitoes are an ongoing problem around your home due to debris-filled gutters, you can solve the problem with one quick call. Call Gutter Helmet today at (800) 824-3772 to speak with a certified installer in your area about installing America’s best gutter covers! If you prefer, you can also submit an online quote request form.

The post 4 Ways to Effectively Repel Mosquitoes Around Your Home appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

It’s hard to keep a positive outlook when the view through your windows is dirty and cloudy. Having clean residential windows makes life better, especially when you are stuck indoors. That’s why now is the time to make an appointment with Superior Pressure Washing

Clean windows make an immediate difference. Your home looks bigger and brighter; plus, you can really see nature’s beauty. When people cannot get out much, having a clear, unobstructed view of nature is a huge bonus. Your mood will improve when the sun starts pouring in once more.

Your home’s appearance is always important, whether you plan to sell it soon or not. Experts note that having your windows professionally cleaned is one fast and affordable way to add instant curb appeal to your residence. After just one appointment, your home will look so much better than before.

Superior Pressure Washing takes a professional approach to this cleaning service. First, their trained technicians inspect your windows and screens for damage. They then remove, label, and stack your screens for cleaning.

The tech who enters your home will wear protective booties and use drop cloths to protect your floors as they clean your window sills, tracks, and inside the glass. The outside tech will clean the glass, sills, and tracks as well, using the safest and most effective methods.

Don’t waste any more of the spring and summer sunshine. Contact Superior Pressure Washing for your free estimate today by visiting their website or calling (301) 949-8000.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorwash.net/

Now that spring is in full swing, many allergy sufferers are feeling the effects of higher levels of pollen, dander and other airborne contaminants. In addition to the issues allergens can cause for people, they can also take a toll on your home’s exterior. Over time, pollen and other allergens can accumulate on homes and cause a number of issues. Keep reading to learn more about pollen damage to homes in Oklahoma City and how to prevent damage.

How pollen collects in homes

Research shows that quantities of seasonal pollen and allergens are increasing across the country. Higher temperatures, increased carbon dioxide levels and increased flooding lead to higher pollen counts and higher levels of mold in the air. As these airborne particles travel, they stick to outdoor surfaces—including home exteriors. Pollen naturally attaches to roofs, siding and gutters, where it sticks around until it’s blown away in the breeze or washed away in the rain.

During the spring, pollen accumulates in very high amounts on roofs, gutters and siding. If you live on a property near farmland, orchards or with lots of flowering plants, you’re likely to experience even higher levels of pollen accumulation. This pollen can cause respiratory irritation, heightened allergy symptoms and other problems for homeowners, but it can also lead to pollen damage to homes in Oklahoma City.

Pollen and home damage

Some types of pollen are relatively harmless, but many trees and plants release acidic pollen that can damage home exteriors. When acidic pollen is exposed to moisture, it starts to oxidize and causes deterioration and damage to roofs, siding and other exterior surfaces. Oxidation can be caused by precipitation, but even elevated humidity levels are enough to initiate this reaction. Even without oxidation damage, pollen can contribute to problems by building up in gutters and creating obstructions that block water flow.

Protecting your home

Here are a few of the best ways to protect your home from pollen damage:

• Clean your gutters: Clean your gutters regularly to remove debris and prevent drainage obstructions. Professional gutter cleaning service is the best way to achieve great-looking gutters without the time and energy required to do this task yourself.
• Invest in cleaning services: Professional exterior cleaning is a great way to get rid of pollen and allergens to protect your home and reduce allergy symptoms for everyone in your household.
• Consider gutter upgrades: If your gutters are in bad condition, it’s a good idea to consider investing in an upgrade. Upgrading your gutters is a great way to protect your home’s exterior from damage throughout the year while improving its curb appeal and boosting its value.

Allergen damage to homes in Oklahoma City

Protect your home from damage with gutter installation and repair services from L & S Seamless Guttering. We specialize in comprehensive gutter services to keep homes protected from the elements. With over 35 years of experience serving the community, our team has the expertise and knowledge necessary to tackle gutter projects of virtually any size and scale. Give us a call to find out more about all the services we have to offer.

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

There are many different types of gutters to choose from, the ones that will be right for your home depend on your property’s specifics. However, one thing that many people overlook is the color of their gutters.

Here are a few things to consider before purchasing new gutters:

The Color Of Your Home 

Before you spend too much time thinking about it, first ask yourself if your gutters will even be visible. If they are on an area of your house that can’t be seen from the curb, you can choose just about any color. Of course, you may still want something that is appealing to you and your family.

Nearby Gutter Colors 

Next, you will want to consider the color of a few other areas of your house. Your gutters will be seen alongside your roof and exterior walls. You may also want to check with your Homeowners Association, to be sure there are no regulations on the specific color you choose.

Roofing Color

 In many cases, people choose either the same color as their roof or walls for their gutters. This allows the gutters to blend in and seamlessly match the rest of the home, which is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want them to be overly noticeable.

Accent Colors

Alternatively, you could choose a color that matches the trim around your windows or doors. You could even choose a color to match window shutters or some other aspect of your home’s exterior. This will make your gutters stand out more while still ensuring they match the overall aesthetics of your property. 

Choosing gutters doesn’t have to be a complicated process, but their color is just one of the many things you need to consider. Bell Seamless Gutters offers a wide range of colors for your gutters. For more help finding the right gutters for your home, contact the team at Bell Seamless Gutters today!

The post Choosing The Right Color For Your Home’s Gutters  appeared first on Bell Seamless Gutters.

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

The post K-Style vs. Half-Round Gutters: A Quick Comparison appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Pest infestations can still strike even the cleanest of homes. Pests are inventive and determined, and the best way to deal with them is to check areas in and around your home where they could be hiding. 

Gutter Helmet® of Cookeville, the local provider to turn to when you want to learn about Gutter Helmet cost, discusses more below.

1. Stuffed Animals and Toys

Bites from bed bugs can be annoying—they cause rashes and infections. These insects thrive on soft fabric, including mattresses, sheets and even your kids’ plush toys. If you spot bed bugs anywhere in your home, you’ll need to call a professional exterminator as soon as possible.

2. Electrical Outlet Covers

Insects such as ants and beetles can find a comfortable home behind electrical outlet covers. A telltale sign is powdery residue seeping through the cracks around the outlet. Call pest control—the pests may be in multiple locations around your home.

3. Garage

Pests thrive in larger areas of your home, including the garage. Since it is usually dark inside and filled with many items, bugs and rodents love taking shelter there. Your garage is an easy waypoint between your indoors and outdoors and can provide food sources like garbage and cardboard boxes.

4. Gutters

Clogged gutters don’t just block water runoff; organic matter such as dried leaves, twigs and other debris can become a shelter or breeding place for bugs, rodents and even some birds. Be sure to clean your gutter system regularly and trim branches from trees near your home.

At Gutter Helmet of Cookeville, we specialize in improving your gutter systems. We can install seamless gutters to replace your old, worn down gutters, as well as Gutter Helmet, the product you need to help prevent leaves and other debris from clogging your new gutters.

To learn more about the Gutter Helmet cost, call us at (866) 985-9982. You may also fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We serve residents of Cookeville, TN, and the surrounding communities.

The post 4 Areas in and Around Your Home Where Pests Are Hiding appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorwash.net/

Commercial properties can vary greatly in building size and style but the vast majority of them have roofs that are flat. When it comes to flat roofs, stormwater drainage can be a challenge as there is no slope from a pitched roof to direct it to the gutters where it can be drained away from the building. Flat-roofed buildings do have a protective membrane to prevent leaks but it doesn’t mean they…

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

The phrase “saving for a rainy day” was obviously coined by someone who knew the expenses associated with the fixing of home drainage problems.

With spring showers in the forecast, it’s especially important to understand the connection between overflowing gutters and downspouts with damage to your home.

With a K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System installed on your home, though, spring showers will be just one less thing to worry about.

How can overflowing gutters damage my home?

Even though overflowing gutters may not catch your immediate attention – they should. Frankly, the damage potentially being done to your home should cause alarm bells to ring.

Beyond the initial discoloration, rot, and warping of your gutters and roofline, the spillover rainwater will find its way to your home’s foundation. This is where the real damage begins. As it overflows the soil, a shift can be created around your foundation, opening the floodgates to cracks and instability. 

Costs associated with fixing water damage from overflowing gutters can easily run into thousands of dollars – and that’s figuring conservatively. 

What can cause my gutter system to overflow?

Several factors can cause water from spring showers to overpower your gutter system.

Debris build-up in the gutters and downspouts. This can include everything from leaves and broken tree limbs, to granules from the shingles and debris carried by the wind. You’d be surprised at what can find its way into an uncovered gutter system.

The pitch and tilt of your gutter system is off. This occurs more frequently than you may imagine. If your gutter system isn’t installed correctly, water from heavy showers can gather in one spot, rather than being guided to a downspout for safe exit.

Your gutters simply aren’t big enough to handle the load. The power of rushing water is incredible. If your gutter systems are too small, the onslaught of water will simply gush right over it and mercilessly pound the ground soil as it finds its way to your home’s foundation. Once the foundation is compromised, water leaks begin to show in your home.

Beyond the damage to your home’s foundation, the overflow and pooling of rainwater can cause huge negative impacts to your landscaping, including trees, shrubbery and plants. They often simply cannot handle being literally drowned by torrential rainwater.

How can a K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System stop my gutters from overflowing?

We’ve designed the K-Guard system for one purpose: to channel rainwater and debris away from your home’s foundation – it’s as simple as that.

• No more leaves and other debris in your gutters. As you can see from reading the above information, a clogged or inefficient gutter system can wreak havoc on your home, which for most people is their largest investment. With a K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System, you’re protecting that investment.

With each K-Guard system, there’s a small opening between the gutter and the hood. This opening is so small, only water is permitted to pass through into the gutter, where it’s channeled to the downspouts. There’s simply no way possible for leaves, pine needles, shingle granules, etc. to find their way into your K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System.

• K-Guard gutters can handle more rainwater. Even if a traditional gutter system is installed properly, most are only 3-4 inches wide. This makes it virtually impossible for them to handle a torrential rain from Mother Nature. 

Our K-Guard gutters, however, are 5-inches wide. Additionally, there are two ways for rainwater to flow into a K-Guard gutter, which is key to preventing windblown water from shooting back underneath your shingles. 

Additionally, we provide you with a 3-1/4-inch wide gutter bottom and 3×4-inch downspout. This enables a large amount of rainwater to flow seamlessly from your gutter system and safely away from your home’s foundation.

• No repair costs or ongoing maintenance required from you. Because excessive rainwater is channeled away from the foundation of your home, you won’t have to worry about the potentially thousands of dollars in costs for structural repairs.

Also, you’ll no longer have a need to routinely clean your gutters of debris clogs. In fact, if your K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System does experience a clog – for any reason – the installer will clean and correct the problem absolutely free of charge. 

In addition to all the functionality provided by K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter Systems is the fact that they’re guaranteed to last, they’re designed to add aesthetic value, and they literally strengthen your house’s roof. 

To discover more about how a K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System can save you time and money while protecting your home investment, we’d like to offer you a free estimate from your closest K-Guard dealer. 

You can also get in touch by completing our online contact form or by calling (614) 568-7777.

This post first appeared on https://www.kguard.com