4 Ways that Rain Gutters Improve Your Home… AND Make You a Better Person!

A lot of people are aware of the practical benefits of having a functioning rain gutter system. However, some people aren’t aware of the fact that rain gutters are scientifically proven to make you a better person and the world a better place!

1. Rain Gutters protect the foundation of your house from water damage that’s caused over a number of years… AND 9 out of 10 women said that a man’s rain gutters are the FIRST thing she looks at in a potential partner (and vice versa for the ladies)!
2. Rain gutters can be used as valuable water collection and irrigation systems in dry climates such as LA… AND rain gutters are cited by experts as the primary cause of the post war economic boom, liberal governing systems and the subsequent period of peace and prosperity!
3. Rain gutters can add significantly to your home’s curb appeal and ultimately your homes value… AND angel/puppy hybrid is born every time a K style gutter is installed correctly to the fascia board on a home!
4. A functioning gutter system means a less insect-friendly environment on your property… AND psychologists say that having a functional rain gutter system and eating one banana every night at 1:34 AM is a virtual guarantee of increased intelligence!

So… now that you know the secret to happiness and wellbeing, what are you waiting for?

 

The post 4 Ways that Rain Gutters Improve Your Home… AND Make You a Better Person! appeared first on Rain Gutter Pros Inc.

The year’s end is quickly approaching—and it’ll fly by even faster once the holidays kick in. In the midst of buying gifts and sprucing up your home for the holidays, plenty of ideas for New Year’s resolutions begin to pop up. Where does home maintenance fall on your list of new year’s resolutions?

 

How Can I Make Better New Years Resolutions for Home Maintenance?

One of the most common things psychologists talk about during the New Year’s season is despite the fact that a large percentage of the population makes resolutions, very few of these people follow them through to attain the goal. Whether it’s lack of accountability, busyness or lack of motivation, it happens.

When it comes to your home maintenance goals for next year, there’s a better way.

Here at Ned Stevens, you can make resolutions for your home’s maintenance and never break them, especially with one of our service plans! We offer our Diamond and Platinum Service Plans to keep your home maintenance schedule fine-tuned and comprehensive, always working around your schedule. 

That way, you don’t have to jump hoops to make sure your home gets the care it needs and you can tend to those other 2020 resolutions you’ve got working!

Our Diamond Service Plan helps you understand exactly what services your home needs throughout the year and when. We recommend that your gutters get cleaned and serviced six times a year—yes, having your gutters regularly cleaned will save you time and potentially thousands of dollars in the long run—and we offer all six cleanings in this service plan. The service times include:

 

March Service

The winter brings heavy ice and winter debris, sitting in your gutters for months causing them to sag and pull off from your home. Other debris from surrounding trees will clog your gutters, potentially leading to greater water damage on the interior and exterior of your home. By the time March rolls around, it’s high time to have those gutters serviced—and just before April brings in all its showers.

 

Spring Service

We’re not joking about the April showers. Once they pass, trees and plants will begin to bloom, shedding off debris from the trees. Your gutters should be inspected and cleaned to make sure they are in the clear in time for summertime thunderstorms. We recommend gutter cleaning in May or June.

 

Summer Service

By the time August is hitting, so are the thunderstorms. These storms will cause major debris to fall from the trees and some of it undoubtedly falls in your gutters. This debris tends to be larger, as the storms tend to bring down branches and twigs as well, which puts your home’s foundation at risk. Be sure to get your gutters cleaned once every August.

 

Fall Service

Fall is the busiest season for your gutters as the leaves begin to tumble down off the trees! Leaves are actually the number one culprit for sagging gutters and gutter clogs. That’s why we recommend you get 3 services every fall season: one in October, one in November, and one in December. That way, you know with certainty that your gutters are clean and ready to take on whatever the fall and winter will bring.

 

We know this is a lot to keep up with, but with Ned Stevens, all you need to do is order a service plan and consider it done! We are open most holidays and have extended hours to accommodate busy schedules. The best part is, you don’t need to be home in order for us to complete the service. We arrive, do our job, and leave a notice on your door to make sure you know it’s been completed. 

Call today and order either our Diamond or Platinum Service Plan to get a jumpstart on your home maintenance resolutions today! Or, call us now for a single service and receive $25 off if you’re a first-time customer.

Get $25 Off Your First Gutter Cleaning!

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

Winter is here and we’re already seeing significant snowfall. With that snowfall often comes the formation of ice dams on a roof. Although the ice dams also create beautiful icicles, they’re not good for your home. In fact, significant ice dam build-up can cause your gutters to sag, bend or pull away from your home. They also damage shingles leading to a roof leak as the snow and ice melt. In extreme cases, the weight may even lead to a partial roof collapse. 

In addition to considering a rain gutter guard system with a heated gutter guard, you should also make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent ice dam formation with a roofing inspection.

Step 1 of Ice Dam Prevention: Proper Ventilation & Insulation

If you’ve recently had a roofing inspection, repair or new roof installed, your roofing company should have verified that your roof has proper ventilation and insulation. Both are key to ice dam prevention. If you haven’t and know that your home is prone to ice dams, it’s not too late to talk to your roofing company or insulation company about proper insulation. It may be too late to add ventilation, but your roofing company can let you know if that’s a contributing factor.

Step 2: Clean Gutters

Clean gutters allow snowmelt to flow freely down your gutters and out your downspouts. A clog anywhere in the system is the first step in the formation of an ice dam. If you don’t already have a rain gutter guard system on your home to prevent clogs, you should consider one to help prevent clogged gutters. When leaves and debris can’t get into your gutters, you’re less likely to have a clog that leads to the formation of an ice dam.

Step 3: A Heated Gutter Guard

Let’s assume you have proper insulation, ventilation and a quality gutter guard system already installed on your home – and you’re still dealing with ice dams. The next step in prevention is a heated gutter guard system. When you choose Gutter Helmet®, arguably the best rain gutter guard system on the market, you can also have your authorized installer add Helmet Heat®. Helmet Heat melts snow and ice so that it drains through the gutters like rainwater so you don’t have the significant build-up of ice and snow you would have otherwise.

It’s true you can use a snow rake to remove snow from your roof but that can also lead to costly repair. Homeowners often damage their shingles or gutters using this method. Sometimes the falling snow or ice leads to personal injury. Plus, the time it takes to remove the snow and then move it away from your home and off your sidewalk, driveway and walkway can be significant.

Let Your Local Gutter Helmet® Installer Help

Authorized Gutter Helmet installers understand proper attic insulation and ventilation. They can look at your roof and attic and either advise you on changes or make the changes for you in addition to installing new gutters. Keep your home and family safe from roof and gutter damage with the help of Gutter Helmet and Helmet Heat. Call (800) 824-3772 to be connected to your local installer for a free estimate.

The post A Heated Gutter Guard Protects Your Home in Winter appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

 

While pressure washing is a great way to boost the curb appeal of your home or commercial property, not every surface is safe for pressure washing. A professional in pressure washing in Warner Robins GA will be the one to identify surfaces that are safe- and unsafe- for pressure washing service provision.

Nine things that you should never pressure wash include these surfaces:

Asphalt Shingles

You should not pressure wash asphalt shingles on your roof as it will remove the granules that protect your roof. Furthermore, the pressure can knock off your shingles, causing repair issues and possibly water damage. A professional pressure washing technician will be able to distinguish the areas of and around the roof that are safe for pressure washing- as well as the best techniques to get the job done.

Stained Wood

It is also wise to avoid wood surfaces such as outdoor furniture. The pressure and heat of the power washer can pull stain off these surfaces, so they must be done with care and with a special, soft-touch technique that is gentler to the surface.

Lead Paint

Another surface that you should not pressure wash is lead paint. Lead paint should not be pressured washed as it can damage, crack, and strip the paint, sending particles into the air and surrounding area. Lead paint is highly toxic and dangerous; it should be avoided whenever possible and you should not pressure wash these surfaces.

Old Mortar

Weathered brick walls and old mortar can be damaged by pressure washing as it can strip the granules and any other loose material causing further damage to your surface. Avoid old mortar and loose bricks with power washers and, instead, use a gentler cleaning method to remove algae, dirt, and debris from these surfaces.

Vehicle

Thinking about pressure washing a vehicle? Don’t do it; pressure washing your vehicle can cause small dents and chip the paint which can then lead to rust. Use a soft cloth and wash your vehicles by-hand for optimal results and the least chance of dents, dings, or damage.

Windows

Using high pressure from a power washer on windows can break them and send glass flying. Don’t create a dangerous situation and broken glass; avoid pressure washing windows or other glass surfaces.

Gutters

Avoid using high pressure to clean your gutters as it can damage your fascia and even knock your gutters loose from the home structure. These can easily be cleaned using a garden hose and inexpensive plumbing snake- or talk to a professional in the area about gutter cleaning services.

AC Units

Pressure washing your air conditioning units can destroy the delicate metal fins which can compromise the air flow. This can also cause water to seep into the AC unit, which could mess up the electrical circuit. Steer clear of your units when pressure washing the house.

Living Things

Though it may seem obvious, you should never, ever pressure wash living things, like humans, pets, or plants. The heat and pressure can cause physical harm by penetrating skin, destroying plants, and causing injury. Be careful.

Hire A Professional Today!

So, now you know what you should not pressure wash; what surfaces are safe for pressure washing? Pressure washing is ideal for so many exterior surfaces on and around your property, from your shutters to your garage and decks to doors.

Propel Pressure Cleaning is fully trained and insured and only use the latest pressure washing technology to protect your surfaces and investments in Warner Robins GA. Looking for top-notch pressure washing in Warner Robins GA? Call Propel Pressure Cleaning today!

The post 9 Things That You Should Never Pressure Wash appeared first on Propel Pressure Cleaning.

Gutter covers aren’t a new invention. Since the 1980s, many products including gutter inserts, plastic and metal screens, and metal gutter shields have come and gone because they haven’t provided a proven solution. Most often the problem lies in the design of the product, especially in how the gutter cover is affixed to the gutter itself. 

Gutter cover brackets have three jobs:

1. To securely attach the plastic or metal gutter shield to the gutter.
2. To strengthen the existing rain gutters.
3. To help support the weight of snow, ice and debris that lands on the gutter system.

How Different Gutter Protection Systems Attach to Gutters

Because there are so many gutter protection system designs, they all attach in a slightly different way. Here are some ways that different materials and designs are affixed to the gutters or home.

Plastic or Metal Screens

Although some of these products are screwed to the fascia or even to the edge of the roof deck, most are simply laid over the gutter and pushed up under the last row of shingles. They’re easy to install because they don’t do much other than sit on top of the gutters. They don’t provide any additional structural support and they can only hold as much weight as the material itself.

Gutter/Gutter Guard Combination Systems

A one-piece system attaches to the fascia board and replaces your existing gutters, and includes internal plastic brackets to support the hood. As you might guess, these brackets will eventually crack just like any other plastic that’s exposed to the elements. When that happens, the entire section of the gutter and gutter guard must be replaced, so you’re left with a significant repair expense. If your gutter sustains damage from a tree branch or other accident, you’re left to replace the entire section.

Metal Gutter Shields

There are many designs that include both a ribbed and solid panel gutter cover. They do not use the roof as support for the cover, but instead insert a screw through the lip of the panel into the gutter. These products claim the strength of the panel will support the gutter cover, but independent testing has proven these metal gutter shields can support only 35 pounds of weight.

One ribbed gutter cover brand is supported by a plastic clip system which includes nails inserted into the fascia board. The sun and weather can soon take a toll on plastic brackets, leading to cracking and breaking under heavy weight and over time.

Unlike the previous products, Gutter Helmet® is supported by a 48-gauge aluminum bracket with twin beams that transfer the weight of the helmet from your gutters to your roof, making it the strongest and best gutter cover on the market. The inventor of Gutter Helmet understood that a gutter protection system has to reinforce the existing gutter system, not replace it. In this way, Gutter Helmet is designed to increase the life of your gutters.

Get a Free Gutter Guard Estimate

Save yourself the hassle and headaches of a problematic gutter cover system that will not last. Choose Gutter Helmet®, the best gutter covers for strong, solid protection! Call us at (800) 824-3772 to discuss your gutter protection needs. We’ll happily arrange a free in-home consultation with your local Gutter Helmet dealer.

The post Why Gutter Cover Brackets Matter appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Between the business of the holidays and the shrilling cold temperatures of the winter, outdoor home maintenance is probably the last thing to cross your mind. However, maintaining regular gutter cleanings is more important than ever this time of year. Here is everything you need to know about what the winter can bring for your gutters and ultimately, your home.

 

Why Is Winter Tough on Gutters?

Believe it or not, winter is one of the most difficult seasons for your gutters. Spring brings showers, the summer brings its thunderstorms, and the fall brings down massive amounts of leaves—all precipitations can clog your gutters potentially causing more damage to your home’s foundation, interior, and exterior. But every winter brings serious losses from frozen gutters and other weather-related accidents.

With the winter comes heavy ice and other debris. Just like how the summer’s thunderstorms can bring down branches and twigs, snow and ice storms do the same but also bring bigger consequences. Your gutters are vulnerable to freezing in the winter and forming ice dams around them, as well. This puts a lot of weight on your gutters causing them to sag, except this weight is usually heavier than what lighter seasons bring. Additionally, by the time winter arrives, your gutters are likely so cluttered with leaves that the melting snow and ice has nowhere to go except overflowing and damaging your home’s roof or foundation.

 

What Are Ice Dams?

One of the biggest threats to your home’s maintenance in the winter is ice dams. An ice dam is the ridge of ice that forms around the edge of your roof, preventing melting snow from draining off the roof and through your gutters. Ice dams can lead to water damage on the exterior and interior of your home, but these things can be easily prevented with a gutter cleaning.

In addition to having your gutters properly serviced, we’ll be sure to check the insulation and ventilation in your attic. Improper insulation and ventilation is actually the root of most ice damming and gutter back-up. Ice dams form because the warm air from the inside of the house warms the underside of the roof causing the snow and ice to melt. The melted water then runs down the roof until it reaches the cold overhang where it freezes, forming ice dams and icicles. These prevent runoff water from flowing freely through your gutters and forces the water into the walls or ceilings of your home. 

 

How Can Ned Stevens Help?

Don’t let the winter weather keep your or your gutters down this year. We stay open for the holidays and have extended hours to make sure we can work with our clients’ schedules and get the job done. Call today to arrange your first gutter cleaning service and receive $25 off! Or consider purchasing one of our great service plans—the Diamond Service Plan and the Platinum Service Plan—to receive great benefits that will help you save hundreds of dollars throughout the year. 

 

Get $25 Off Your First Gutter Cleaning!

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

Are your gutters clogged and hard to clean? Check out our handy infographic to learn about the best tools for cleaning your gutters and removing gutter clogs.

The post Infographics: Tools to Make Cleaning Your Gutters Easier appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Carports are extremely common alternatives to garages in certain parts of the country. If you’re interested in providing your vehicle with a bit more protection, the carport can be a slightly less expensive option. Here are just a few examples of some of the main carport benefits in Oklahoma City, OK:

• Protection from the weather: The most obvious benefit of a carport is that it will keep your vehicles shielded from the elements all year long. That means protection from rain, snow and sleet, as well as long-term exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This level of protection can vary depending on how enclosed the carport is—it will have a roof, and perhaps sides, but will never be fully enclosed.
• Extra living space: If you don’t want to park your car in your carport, you can instead use the carport as extra space outside to sit and relax. You can quickly and easily turn it into a porch to sit and enjoy the outdoors by yourself or with guests.
• Shade: Carports provide plenty of shade, which can be beneficial in several ways. For your vehicle, keeping it in the shade protects it from ultraviolet rays, and also prevents it from heating up too much on hot summer days. It can be quite uncomfortable to step into a car that has been baking in the sun all day long! In addition, if you do decide to use the carport as a porch or patio every now and then, it will be pleasant to have some shade covering you so you can remain comfortable even on hot days.
• Storage: Carports can be used to store a wide variety of vehicles beyond just cars. If you have boats, trailers, snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles or other types of vehicles or large equipment, you can easily add a carport on your property to store them, particularly if you don’t have room in your garage or other existing structures. Carports with walls can also have pegboards installed for you to store tools, boxes or other items as you wish.
• Convenience: Carports do not have doors—they are open areas with a roof on top, and maybe a wall or two. The lack of a door can be extremely convenient when you get home and have items you need to carry with you. This also cuts down on the amount of energy expended using your carport versus a garage, which has electrical components it uses to operate.
• Home value: You can improve your home value by adding a carport, particularly if you do not already have a garage. Buyers are not as likely to take an interest in a home that has neither a garage nor a carport.

These are just a few examples of some of the primary carport benefits in Oklahoma City, OK. For more information about why you should choose a carport for your property and how you can begin the process of getting one, contact the team at L & S Seamless Guttering today.

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

A properly functioning rain gutter system is essential for the wet weather we experience here in Tacoma. While there are several ways to take on rain gutter maintenance yourself, sometimes, you just have to turn to the pros. And when it is time to hire a rain gutter service company in Tacoma, you’ve got to know what to look for if you want the job done right.

Here are some quick guidelines to help you decide which company will take away all your gutter installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement stress and deliver high-quality work that will keep your home safe and protected from our wet weather.

Years of Experience

A company who really knows what they’re doing will have the years of experience to back their work. The only way to truly be able to handle any potential rain gutter issues is to have the practice in all kinds circumstances. For instance, at Tacoma Gutter Service, we have more than 30 years of experience in the rain gutter industry; we’ve worked with every style, material, and shape imaginable! We’ve seen it all and have done it all.

From single-family homes to huge commercial buildings and projects, you want a gutter service company that has a wide range of experience on all types of structures. Experience also helps a rain gutter company give you the most accurate estimate of the time and cost it’ll take to finish a project.

Quality & Variety of Products Offered

Attempting to install or repair gutters on your own can be overwhelming. Just a quick internet search will present you with hundreds of products and materials. A great gutter service company will not only offer you a wide variety of high-quality products to choose from, but they’ll help you sift through all the available options—taking both functionality and aesthetic into account—to help you find the best for your project.

Warranties, Guarantees, and Transparency

At Tacoma Gutter Service, we stand behind our installation and repair services as well as all the products we offer our clients. That’s why we offer a 10-year warranty on all our gutter installations! If you want confidence in what you’re paying for, make sure the professional gutter company you hire also has warranties and/or guarantees on their work.

On top of that, any gutter company you work with should offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees or fine-print costs. During your initial estimate, you should be given an accurate idea of the overall time and cost that will go into your project.

Personalized Service and Estimates

Speaking of estimates, the company you’re considering should always visit your property before giving you a price quote. The architecture of your home or building can greatly affect the type of rain gutters you need; materials and the size and number of pieces you’ll need are all contingent on your home’s structure. You should also be given several options—or at least an explanation of options—during your estimate. For example, you might be tempted to purchase a cheaper material, but a different gutter system might be more cost-effect in the long run, either through an increased curb appeal or because they’re more durable. Your gutter company should be able to explain all this, without pressuring you into choosing a certain brand or style.

Excellent Reviews and Reputation

You may be tempted to overlook a few bad reviews in an attempt to save money, but it could cost you in the long run! Paying close attention to reviews or asking your neighbors or friends for recommendations on who they’ve worked with in the past could save you a major headache. And if you’re unsure about the quality of a particular company, err on the side of caution and look for another. Online reviews, word of mouth, and a company’s overall reputation are typically accurate indicators of what you can expect during the completion of your project.

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If you’re looking for a rain gutter company that exemplifies longevity, dependability, and experience, look no further than Tacoma Gutter Service! Call us at (253) 927-7111 or visit us online to get a free estimate from Tacoma’s most trusted gutter experts.

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

As you go through the process of selecting new gutters for your home, you might be surprised at just how many options are available to you. Between the kinds of design options and the materials that can be used, it’s understandable why you might be overwhelmed by all of the choices you have in front of you.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the differences that exist between the types of gutters in Oklahoma City:

• K-style: Of the various types of gutters, the five-inch aluminum K-style gutters are far and away the most popular. These gutters have a unique gutter profile that resembles a decorative crown molding. They’re also occasionally referred to as ogee gutters, a reference to the Roman ogee type of profile on molding and trim. There is not a K shape to these gutters—the name of the gutters is actually a reference to the gutter’s alphabetical listing in the 12 most common types of gutters. It occupies the 11^th spot on the list, and K is the 11^th letter of the alphabet.
• Half-round gutters: Half-round gutters, meanwhile, do have a shape that reflects their name. These gutters have a half-circle with the open side facing the roof. However, there’s a good reason why contractors tend to avoid using these gutters when possible. For one thing, they’re only about half as deep as the K-style gutters, which means even slight level problems or small debris buildups could result in the gutter overflowing. In addition, the gutter does not have a flat back, which means there will need to be underside gutter hangers to hold them up instead of hidden hangers.
• Fascia gutters: On homes that do not have wooden fascia to hide the rafter tails, fascia gutters are used as a sort of replacement. The smooth face of the gutters performs the same function of the fascia boards, hiding the rafter tails. This is a very common type of gutter in the American West, due to the architectural style of some of the buildings in that region.
• European gutters: European gutters often come in half-round styles, and are designed with naturally weathering materials like copper. These types of gutters have been used for centuries. They are not necessarily a feasible option for all homes, however, because they must complement the architectural style of the home—otherwise, they’ll look severely out of place.

Among these different types of gutters, you’ll also have different options for materials. Far and away the most popular gutter material is aluminum, because it is highly resistant to corrosion, is very lightweight (which makes it easy to work with) and comes in a wide range of stock colors. Perhaps best of all is that it is more affordable than many other types of gutter materials. Still, other materials like galvanized steel, copper, galvalume, zinc and vinyl are available, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

For more information about the different types of gutters in Oklahoma City, contact the experts at L & S Seamless Guttering today.

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