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Homeowners usually clean their gutters in the fall, ahead of the snowfall and freezing temperatures. But that does not mean you cannot have your gutters cleaned during the winter. Gutter cap installer Gutter Helmet® discusses more here.

Gutter Cleaning Prevents Winter Problems

Cold weather can be especially harsh on your gutters. Unlike in the warmer seasons, backups from clogged gutters can freeze in the bitingly cold months, leaving more problems in its wake. Ice dams can form if the downspouts are blocked with fallen leaves and other debris. All this extra weight can cause your gutter system to sag and pull away from your roof.

Since winter brings all the snow and ice, it is good to have your gutters cleaned by professionals. This is particularly beneficial if your gutters are prone to developing ice dams. A gutter cleaning specialist can safely remove debris from your gutters and remedy any problems, like cracks or loose sections, while you stay warm and cozy inside your home.

How to Protect Your Home With Gutter Guards

Many people are now opting to have a gutter shield or guard installed. While you cannot prevent snow from falling on your roof, you can prevent it from wreaking havoc on your gutters with an effective gutter guard protection system. 

Gutter covers like Gutter Helmet shed rain and snow off the gutters. They also have a feature called Helmet Heat®, which keeps the roof free of ice dams, providing enough space for water to run off into your downspouts and the drainage system located in the ground.

Gutter Helmet is a premier source of the best gutter guards on the market. Call us today at (800) 824-3772 to learn more about our top-notch products and services, or fill out this contact form to request a free, no-obligation estimate.

You might assume that not having any trees planted around your property means you don’t have to worry about leaves and twigs collecting on your roof. You might even think that ignoring the task of cleaning your gutters is okay. Even so, clogs in the form of slim, sludge and silt may still appear on your gutters. You might be wondering from where these unwanted debris come. 

From Where Does Gutter Slime Come?

Green gutter slime is essentially the algae that grows as a result of local climate conditions. This can impede the water runoff and damage the roofline if they’re not properly cleaned. It can also catch dirt and other debris which can turn into clogs that prevent the water from draining properly. 

What Causes Gutter Sludge and Silt?

Gutter sludge and silt are algae and moss lumped together, but they can also consist of other fine organic material that came from your roof and into the gutters. Once they fill your gutters with dirt and debris, they can cause trouble to your roofing system. They can also be difficult to clean without the right equipment. However, they can still be prevented if you have a proper gutter protection system installed.

How to Keep Your Gutters Clean

While regular cleaning is always recommended to keep your gutters free of slime and sludge, it can become tedious if it happens too often. You’ll need a gutter protection system to keep them off your gutters, but don’t just choose one from any other manufacturer. Only the best gutter covers are worth investing in to avoid clogging problems. 

If you’re looking for a stylish yet resilient gutter protection system, there’s only one name you can trust. Call Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota today at (866) 984-6166 to get a free estimate! You can also fill out our online contact form to get started. We serve residents in Minnesota, including Monticello and the surrounding communities.

Snow, ice, and wind can turn your holiday season into a disaster. In turn, it can chip away paint, dent your exterior and ruin your gutters. Luckily, we have compiled a list of maintenance guidelines that will protect your gutters during the worst winter weather.

Remove Debris From Gutters

A simple solution to gutter damage is routinely removing leaves and other debris from your gutters. Keeping your gutters free of clogs will have them working correctly, preventing a host of water-related problems, like overflows and basement flooding. Also, consider installing a de-icing system to ensure no ice dams will develop in the extreme cold.

Check for Structural Damage

Your gutters are important to your exterior. Be mindful of any discoloration, rotting, or other water damage. Fix any cracks or gaps in your gutters as quickly as possible to save on costly repairs in the future.

Keep Surrounding Areas Clear

It also matters how well-kept the surrounding areas of your gutters are. Prune trees to prevent branches from scraping your roof and leaves from falling into your gutters. In the winter, snow and ice can form on tree branches, causing them to crash down and collapse on your gutters.

Invest in Gutter Guards

Gutter guards are designed to prevent leaves from accumulating in the gutters and causing clogs. Not only can this protection system promote the healthy flow of water through your gutters and downspouts, ensuring runoff is effectively drained away from your home, but it also helps alleviate ice damming in the bitingly cold months.

Bring in the pros to minimize gutter cleaning and maintenance. Gutter Helmet® installs some of the best gutter protection systems in the business. Just give us a call today at (800) 824-3772 or fill out this contact form to request a free, no-obligation estimate.

Mold and mildew can negatively affect the indoor air quality of your home and cause health risks to its residents. One of the easiest ways to beat this growth in the winter months is by performing preventative maintenance. Gutter Helmet® shares some tips here.

Repair Leaks in the Roof

Mold can grow and spread at a fast pace. The longer you put off patching up a leak in the roof, the more likely you are to experience mold and the damage that comes with it. So at the first sign of a leak, call a roofer to fix it. Otherwise, you could pay for mold remediation and other costly repairs.

Keep the Flooring Dry

In rooms where moisture is an issue, use area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. This type of washable flooring can be particularly beneficial in entryways where moisture from the outside can quickly cause the growth of mold. In case you do have carpeting to the door, make sure you vacuum the area regularly to keep it dry.

Use Exhaust Fans

Steam in the bathroom and kitchen produces copious amounts of moisture. Turn on the exhaust fans, including the one in the oven’s hood, for 20 to 30 minutes after taking a shower or cooking to minimize the formation of condensation in these rooms.

Clean Your Gutters

Clogs in the gutters can cause water to overflow or back up to the roof where it can leak into the home. This can cause the growth of mold on the ceiling and walls. By staying on top of gutter cleaning and maintenance, you can ensure that runoff effectively drains from your home.

Gutter Helmet installs gutter protection systems to minimize the need for gutter cleaning and maintenance. Give us a call at (800) 824-3772 or fill out this contact form to request a free estimate.

Dirty and clogged gutters are a recurring issue during fall. Spending an entire day getting rid of the mess is no one’s idea of a good time, which is why most homeowners will try to find an easier and more convenient gutter cleaning alternative. Some will most likely claim that gutter vacuums are exactly that, but it pays to read up on them more. Here are some of the pros and cons of using gutter vacuums to clean your gutters:

Why You Should Consider Them

A gutter vacuum resembles a standard home vacuum, except it’s designed to extract large debris from your gutters. It generally comes in wet/dry models so it can easily pull out both wet and dry materials from the gutters without damaging them. What makes these vacuums good is the fact that they won’t require you to climb any ladders or scoop out the debris with your hands. That’s because gutter vacuum kits usually come with extensions, allowing you to reach and clean your gutters even with your feet planted firmly on the ground. This makes the task safer and less stressful to do.

Why You Should Reconsider Them

Gutter vacuums are not without downsides. For one thing, they’re more effective at extracting loose debris. It may not be possible to use a gutter vacuum to draw out debris that is already stuck at the bottom of the gutters. To prevent this, you’ll need to vacuum your gutters more frequently, which means spending more time and effort on a task you’d rather just avoid. And there is a way to avoid frequent gutter cleaning. 

Pick the Much Better Alternative

Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota has got you covered. We offer high-quality Gutter Helmet® gutter guards that are more effective than vacuums at keeping your system clean and clog-free. They come with a patented nose-forward design that stops leaves and other loose debris from ending up inside the gutters in the first place. Instead, they are shed to fall harmlessly to the ground, allowing rainwater to drain smoothly and efficiently through the system. 

Get Started on Your Gutter Helmet® Installation

Keeping your gutters clean with gutter guards is the way to go. Compared to gutter vacuums, our Gutter Helmet guards have no drawbacks — just benefits that make them a worthwhile investment for every homeowner. Get in touch with us by calling (866) 937-3508 or filling out this contact form. We proudly serve homeowners in Duluth, MN, and other areas in St. Louis County.

Gutter protection systems such as gutter screens and gutter guards provide efficient filtration and safeguard against water damage. If you choose the wrong system to install over your gutters, it could invite all sorts of problems. Here are some of them.

Debris Buildup

Fallen leaves, pine needles, and other small debris can enter through the gutter cover and build a mat of mulch as time goes by. This debris buildup can be difficult to remove, allowing seeds to take hold. Some covers that install below the roof edge can also provide a surface where debris can collect and hold moisture that can rot the fascia.

Overshoot

During heavy rainfall, fast-moving runoff can run past the gutter cover and rot window sills, erode foundations, or wash away foliage. Your gutter protection system should be able to effectively handle the volume of water your roof receives during harsh weather conditions with no overshoot.

Substandard Quality

Sheet metal covers can be easily damaged by a ladder or a falling tree branch, while expanded screens can collapse under excessive debris load. Gutter Helmet® gutter guards are made of durable but lightweight aluminum. Their tensile strength and ribbed surfaces can withstand powerful winds and heavy snow loads.

Pest Infestation

Open and recurved gutter protection systems can invite insects, birds, rodents, and other pests that can enter your attic and wreak havoc on your home. When you work with a reputable gutter guard contractor, you can expect the installation to seal the gutter and fascia entirely so that even the smallest insect will not infiltrate your gutters.

Gutter Helmet installs industry-leading gutter protection systems. Our commitment to product innovation has made us the leading name among American gutter guard companies. Contact us today at (800) 824-3772 or fill out this contact form to request a free quote.