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Why Ice Dams Are Common During Minnesota Winters

If you live around Culver, MN, then you know that ice dams are a common problem during the winter. But why are they more common during our winters? Let’s look at why ice dams are more common during this particular season, their impact on your home and how to deal with them if they form. Finally, we’ll give some tips on preventing ice dams from forming in your home in the first place.

Why Are Ice Dams More Common During Winter?

There are a few reasons why ice dams are more common during our winters. First, we tend to have longer and colder winters than other parts of the country. This means more opportunity for ice to form on your roof. Second, we often get a lot of snowfall during our winters, contributing to the formation of ice dams. Finally, Minnesota is home to many lakes and rivers. When these bodies of water freeze over, they release cold air into the atmosphere and can cause the snow on your roof to melt and refreeze, creating an ideal environment for ice dams to form.

The Impact of Ice Dams on Your Home

Ice dams can cause a lot of damage to your Culver, MN home and be expensive to repair. The weight of the ice can damage your gutters and cause them to pull away from your roof. The ice can also block your gutters, preventing them from draining properly. This can lead to water backup and flooding in your home. In addition, the melting and refreezing of water can damage your shingles and cause them to deteriorate. Ice dams can also create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow.

How to Deal With Ice Dams

If you find an ice dam in your home, it’s important to deal with it immediately. The first thing you should do is remove the snow from your roof to reduce the weight of the ice and prevent further damage to your gutters and shingles. Once the snow has been removed, use heat tape to melt the ice dam. Do not use an ice pick or sharp object to break up the ice as you may also damage the shingles. Follow all safety instructions when using these tools. Once the ice dam has been removed, you can take steps to prevent it from reforming. Or better yet, turn to professionals to help you safely remove the ice dam.

How to Prevent Ice Dams From Forming in Your Home

There are a few things you can do to prevent ice dams from forming in your home. First, ensure your gutters are clean and debris-free, allowing them to drain properly and prevent water backup. Second, seal any gaps or cracks in your roof to prevent water from seeping in and freezing. Finally, insulate your attic to keep heat from escaping through the roof. This will prevent snow from melting and refreezing on your roof. These steps can help prevent ice dams from forming in your home this winter.

The best way to prevent ice dams is to take steps to prevent them from forming in the first place. Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota can help you do this. If you’re in Culver or Duluth, MN, we can offer you various products and services, such as rain gutter covers, to help you keep your gutters clean and free of debris. We can seal gaps or cracks in your roof and insulate your attic. Contact us today at (866) 937-3508 to learn more about how we can help you prevent ice dams this winter.

The post Why Ice Dams Are Common During Minnesota Winters appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

3 Reasons Your Basement Is Damp

Basements are a common part of many homes, but they can be prone to dampness and moisture problems. Moisture in your basement can lead to mold growth and other issues affecting your family’s health or cause structural damage. 

Fortunately, there are ways you can help prevent damp basements with proper gutter maintenance and installation.

The Causes of Basement Dampness

Several factors can lead to wet basements. Here are the three main culprits you can note:

Poorly Installed Gutters

If your gutters are not installed properly, it can lead to water spilling over the sides of your gutter system or pooling at the base of your foundation. This will increase the chances of water seeping into your basement and creating moisture problems.

Clogged Gutters

Gutters are designed to help divert water away from your home and foundation, but if they become clogged with leaves, sticks and other debris, they won’t be able to do their job. 

This can cause water to pool around the base of your house or spill over the sides of your gutters. Either way, this can lead to basement dampness.

Leaky Gutters

Leaky gutters are another common cause of basement dampness. Water can easily seep into your basement through the cracks and create moisture problems if there is a crack or hole in your gutter system.

The Effects of Basement Dampness

Basement dampness can cause several issues, including:

  1. Mold and mildew growth

  2. Structural damage to your home

  3. Unpleasant odors

  4. Increased risk of respiratory problems.

How to Prevent Basement Dampness

Fortunately, there are several ways to help prevent basement dampness.

Regularly Clean Your Gutters

Regularly cleaning your gutters is one of the best ways to ensure they work properly and divert water from your home. As mentioned, clogged drains can cause water to pool near your foundation, so it’s important to ensure they are kept clean and free of debris.

Install Quality Gutters

Installing quality gutters in Duluth, Minnesota, can help ensure that your gutter system is up to diverting water away from your home. Consider a gutter replacement if you suspect your gutters are not functioning properly.

Quality gutters are made with high-quality materials and will be more resistant to leaks and other issues that can lead to basement dampness. Moreover, adding gutter covers will prevent any elements from damaging your gutters. 

Have Your Gutters Inspected Regularly

Inspecting your gutters regularly is another important step in preventing basement dampness. Experienced gutter cleaning service providers can check your gutter system for any issues.

Fix Your Gutter Problems With Our Help

If you’re concerned about basement dampness, you can take preventive measures to ensure your gutters are installed properly and regularly cleaned and inspected. 

Gutter Helmet of Northern Minnesota in Duluth, Minnesota, can help you with all your gutter needs. Contact us today at (866) 937-3508 for a free quote.

The post 3 Reasons Your Basement Is Damp appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Reasons Your Roof Can Leak This Winter

Duluth and Culver, MN, along with other cities in Saint Louis County, are areas that get a lot of snow and ice in the winter, and your roof can take a beating. The combination of freezing temperatures and heavy precipitation can wreak havoc on your gutters, shingles and other roofing components. And if your roof isn’t in good condition, to begin with, it’s even more likely to develop leaks during the winter months.

The Benefits of Winter Gutter Maintenance

It’s the winter season which we all know to be the coldest time of the year! With plunging temperatures, icy weather and increased chances of snowfall accumulation, making sure your home is prepped for the winter conditions can be of great importance! Your home’s gutter system’s primary purpose is to prevent mold, mildew and other water damage by redirecting rainwater away from the siding and…

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

What Are Those Black Streaks on My Roof?

Ensuring your roof looks its best affects your home’s overall appearance and curb appeal. Over time, the elements can make your roof look rundown, causing mold, black streaks, moss, and algae to grow. The bacteria not only looks unsightly but can also lead to health problems and impact your house’s structural integrity.

Staying up-to-date on roof cleaning is a simple and affordable way to keep your roof looking its finest while preventing bacteria buildup. Propel Pressure Cleaning provides the best roof cleaning in Warner Robins, GA. Contact our team today to learn more about our services.

What Causes Black Streaks on My Roof?

So, what causes those black streaks on your roof? An algae called gloeocapsa magma. While gloeocapsa magma is generally a green or blue color, it darkens to protect the algae from UV rays when it groups.

This type of algae can also appear black on certain surfaces, such as your roof. Gloeocapsa magma grows in a distinctive streaking pattern in warm, humid, and dark areas.

You can most often find gloeocapsa magma on asphalt shingles. This roofing material contains fragments of limestone and fiberglass that encourage algae growth and provide a food source.

Are the Black Streaks Dangerous?

Generally, gloeocapsa magma is not dangerous. However, it can begin to compromise the integrity of your shingles after an extended period of time.

The longer algae stays on your roof, the harder it is to clean. Power washing your roof eliminates the algae before it becomes challenging to remove. That’s why regular roof cleaning in Warner Robins, GA keeps your house safe and looking its finest.

How Do I Remove Black Streaks from My Roof?

Cleaning black streaks requires more than just chlorine bleach and a garden hose. To remove black streaks safely and completely, hiring a professional power washing company is the simplest solution. Roof cleaning companies know the best cleaning products to use and the most effective roof cleaning methods.

Roof cleaning companies also have the knowledge and experience to reach hard-to-reach places. They safely and expertly work with pressure washers and on wet, slippery roofs. Hiring a professional for regular roof cleaning is an easy way to prevent the black streaks from regrowing.

Contact the Professionals at Propel Pressure Cleaning Today

Propel Pressure Cleaning is your knowledgeable and reliable pressure washing company in Warner Robins, GA and the surrounding areas. Our team goes above and beyond to ensure our customers are 100% satisfied with their results. We take the time to answer all your questions, address your concerns, and provide honest solutions.

Propel Pressure Cleaning uses the latest technology and cleaning solutions for different roofing materials. We are always on time and treat your property with respect. We offer the most professional roof cleaning in Warner Robins, GA.

Propel Pressure Cleaning is your top-rated power washing company in Warner Robins, GA. Contact us at (478) 200-0315 to learn more about our services and schedule your free estimate today. 

The post What Are Those Black Streaks on My Roof? appeared first on Propel Pressure Cleaning.

Gutterly Gorgeous: Gutter Goals for the New Year

Your gutters give a huge aesthetic boost to your home, providing elegant contrasting lines against your already beautiful exterior. However, even more important than the aesthetic value of your gutters is their practical value. Your gutters protect your home’s walls and foundation from water damage that would otherwise occur if precipitation was not diverted away from your home’s exterior.

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

Do I need to clean my gutters if I have gutter guards?

Do I need to clean my gutters if I have gutter guardsGutters are designed not just to decorate the edges of your roof but to carry water away so it doesn’t erode the soil around your foundation. When they become clogged with leaves or storm debris instead, they fail at this and tend to dump water right where you don’t want it. Gutter guards go a long way in helping gutters perform properly. However, you’ll still need to occasionally clean the gutters and the guards covering them.

The Benefits of Gutter Guards

Gutter guards are advanced covers designed to greatly reduce the amount of debris entering your gutters. Depending on the type of guard you choose, it should stop materials like:

  • Falling leaves
  • Pine needles
  • Broken bits of shingles
  • Twigs and branches
  • Seed pods and pine cones.

However, the exact type of guard determines what exactly it will stop. Even the best gutter guard can’t entirely stop small particles from entering the gutters. This results in the need for occasional cleaning, although it will be far less often than without guards in place. The reduction in gutter cleaning to just once or twice a year is well worth the investment in these gutter guards.

Why Clean After Getting Guards?

You install gutter guards in the first place to reduce the chances of a clog that could lead to water overflowing along the edge of the roof. If you don’t clean the gutters occasionally to remove the small amount of debris that makes it past the guard, you’ll still end up with clogged gutters eventually. The reduction in the frequency of gutter cleaning is also matched by a drop in cleaning difficulty, but you’ll still need to make time for it at least once a year. This also allows you to check the guards and ensure they’re still properly attached.

Deciding When to Clean Gutters

Consider how often you had to clean your gutters before installing guards. In most cases, it’s best to clean the gutters at least once every three months to keep debris under control. Once gutter guards are in place, you’ll likely only need to clean once a year instead. Consider what most commonly fills your gutters to determine when to schedule the cleaning. If you primarily deal with leaves and other tree debris that drops in the fall, aim to clean the gutters at the end of autumn. For areas where spring storms tend to fill the gutter with debris instead, make sure to plan an early spring cleaning to get them ready. Have the gutters inspected and cleaned any time there are signs of a leak or clog, such as water overflowing from the edge of the gutter.

Trees and Gutter Guards

If you live on a heavily wooded property and have mature trees around the home for shade in the summer, you may have to clean your gutters more often than once a year even with gutter guards in place. It all depends on the specific trees around your gutters and what kind of weather occurs over the course of the year. However, it’s still a good idea to use gutter guards under mature shade trees since they’ll block the majority of falling leaves and other debris. You’ll still see a reduction in total cleaning and reduced chances of damage to the gutters by installing the right guards.

Cleaning the Gutter Guards Themselves

The gutter guards themselves can become clogged with debris over time. This is particularly likely to happen if your roof is shedding particles or you have a lot of fine debris like small pine needles falling on the roof. Cleaning the gutter guards at least once a year, preferably after the bulk of the fall leaves have dropped, will ensure the best gutter protection. A clean gutter guard allows water to flow through and into the gutter, while a blocked or dirty guard will send it over the edge and onto the ground near the foundation. Keeping the gutter guards clean is as important as unclogging the gutters.

How the Type of Gutter Guard Affects How Often You Clean

Some gutter guards are more prone to get blocked up than others. Foam inserts can become clogged with everything from particles off of asphalt shingles to pine needles that mat together. Mesh and slatted guards are less likely to get clogged, but they still need cleaning one to two times per year. Check with the manufacturer to find out if your gutter guards lift up easily for manual cleaning. If they’re permanently attached, you’ll want to invest in professional cleaning of your gutters rather than trying to handle them yourself.

Cleaning Other Parts of the Gutter System

It’s not just the gutters and the guards that need routine cleaning and inspections. Don’t forget about the downspouts and any drainage pipes that connect to them. Clogs in the drainage part of the gutter system can lead to water issues and backups all the way to the roof. Use a simple hose test to verify water is still flowing properly any time you’re already up there to check the gutter guards or clean out the gutters.

You may still need to clean your gutters after getting gutter guards, but you’ll enjoy doing it far less often. It’s also easier to clean gutters with guards in many cases due to the reduced accumulation of debris. Choose K-Guard for gutter protection you can trust.

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

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