Month: February 2021

How Healthy are Your Gutters?

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.

Source

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

Five Signs Your Gutters Need Repair

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/

Avoid the 5 Most Dangerous Gutter Cleaning Mistakes

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.

How to Remove Black Streaks from Your Roof in Warner Robins, GA

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.

Helpful Tips to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth in Winter

The combination of melted snow and warm indoor temperatures makes winter one of the prominent times for mold and mildew growth. Although there are measures you can take to get rid of this issue, the best treatment is still prevention. 

Mold and mildew prevention

Reduce Indoor Humidity Levels

Daily activities like taking a shower or boiling water on a stove increase your home’s humidity levels, allowing mold and mildew to thrive. While you can invest in a dehumidifier, you can also open windows or turn on the exhaust fan in your bathroom or kitchen for up to 30 minutes. 

Dry Wet Areas

Keeping things dry is a good rule of thumb for preventing mold and mildew. Make it a point to wipe off water from walls and shower doors after taking a bath or shower. Do the same for your windows if you see some condensation forming on the glass. Also, move your wet clothes to the dryer as soon as they are ready.

Improve Your Home’s Airflow

During the colder months, moisture content can collect on your walls, floors, furniture and other surfaces. Plus, the heat generated by your HVAC system to keep your indoors warm doesn’t help much. To prevent this, air out your home occasionally. Aside from opening windows, keep the doors inside your home open to facilitate air circulation.

Keep Your Gutters Well-Maintained

Your gutters should be in good condition all year round. Make sure water is flowing freely toward the downspouts and away from your home. Gutter systems tend to collect moisture and debris, creating the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. Aside from cleaning your gutters, consider investing in a gutter protection system.

As one of the leading Gutter Helmet® dealers, Gutter Helmet Piedmont serves the gutter protection needs of customers in the area. Aside from gutter guard products, we also sell and install gutters and retractable awnings. Give us a call at (844) 204-1015, or fill out our contact form. We serve homeowners in Charlotte, NC, and the surrounding communities.

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

This website nor its owners are an actual service provider, this website is a referral service. When you place a phone call from this website, it will route you to a licensed, professional service provider that serves your area. For more information refer to our terms of service.

© GutterServiceNearMe.com

(877) 959-3534