Month: April 2021

What Should I Do if My House Doesn’t Have Gutters?

Although they’re small and often not entirely visible, gutters play an integral role in keeping rainwater away from a home’s foundation and preventing basement flooding in Oklahoma City. Gutters also reduce the risk of roof leaks and prevent mold accumulation on your siding, so it’s safe to say that they’re an integral part of a house.

If your home doesn’t have gutters or if your current ones are in poor condition, it’s time to replace them! A house without functioning gutters is bound to have a host of problems that are quite expensive to fix.

Why some houses might not have gutters

Although it seems like a given that all homes have gutters, that’s not the case. Here are a few scenarios in which a house may not have them:

  • Steepslope roof: A home with a steep roof and a long overhang might not be equipped with gutters. This is because the roof naturally directs rainwater past the foundation, reducing the risk of a basement flood. That said, installing gutters is still a good idea in order to protect the landscaping.
  • Old home: Rain gutters in Oklahoma City weren’t commonly installed until the mid-1900s. If a house is older than that, it might not have gutters attached to the roof. Because they’re so essential, we recommend retrofitting any old homes with new gutters ASAP.
  • Arid environment: Houses in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada or other dry climates don’t necessarily need gutters because they get such little rainfall. Even if they do get a few heavy storms each year, the rain probably won’t cause any damage.

Signs that you need to install new gutters

Knowing whether or not you need rain gutters in Oklahoma City isn’t a guessing game. These are a few of the top signs that your gutters aren’t working and that you need new ones:

  • Basement flooding: The first sign that your home needs new gutters is if your basement floods after heavy rains. This flooding occurs because the water accumulates around your foundation instead of flowing down the gutters and away from your home. Eventually, you may develop cracks in your foundation because of the excess water.
  • Rotting siding: Your siding can suffer if your roof doesn’t have a big overhang and your gutters are in poor shape. Instead of flowing harmlessly to the ground, the water can drip down onto your siding, eventually leading to rot or mold growth. New gutter installation is the only way to remedy this issue.
  • Landscaping issues: Troughs or divots in the lawn surrounding your home are unsightly and a sign that your gutters are failing. These holes develop because rain constantly falls directly from your roof onto the grass instead of flowing down the gutters. Letting our pros install new gutters is a quick remedy to this problem.

Call our team to install your gutters

Gutter installation is best left to the pros, specifically our team at L & S Seamless Guttering. Our seamless gutter systems are custom-fit for each home, greatly reducing the risk of basement flooding in Oklahoma City and giving you peace of mind. Contact us today to get an estimate for your new gutters.

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

Why Using Salt Won’t Work in Ice Dam Prevention

There are many ways to deal with or prevent ice dams along your gutters and the roofline. Some homeowners chip them away using a hammer and chisel (which is always a bad choice) while some just drench the affected area with hot water. And then there’s that old favorite–using rock salt. You’ve probably seen what salt can do to roads and vehicles during winter, so it’s not a solution you’ll want to try on something as costly and important as your roof and gutter system.

pile of snow near gutters

Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota, the trusted source of the best gutter guard system in the area, details why you should never use to fix ice dams:

  1. It’s not effective. Rock salt can only melt ice at temperatures down to 20° F. This means it only works if the temperature is on the ‘warm side’ of freezing. Using rock salt to anything lower than that will just be a waste of your time. What’s more, it is not exactly practical since ice dams are made of hundreds of gallons of water. It will take excess pounds of rock salt to clear the sheer volume of ice and snow on your roof and gutters.

  1. It can damage your roofing. While rock salt itself won’t damage your shingles, it does cause corrosion to the nails attaching them to the roof system. When the nails rust through and break, the shingles will become loose, creating openings where water can leak in. Not only that–rusted nails can also cause unsightly streaks and stains in your roof.

  1. It weakens your gutters. Corrosion resulting from rock salt is also common in gutters. This allows for holes and cracks that compromise the system’s draining performance. Over time, the rust will cover the entire system and will need to be replaced.

A Safer and More Effective Fix

If you’re looking for a better way to keep your roof and gutters undamaged from ice buildup, you only need to turn to Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota. We’re not just your source of the best gutter guard system, we also prevent ice damming through our Helmet Heat® Ice Reduction Systems. It can be mounted on any home that uses our Gutter Helmet® gutter protection system, effectively melting any snow and ice on your roofline before it can start building up. Its heavy-duty commercial-grade, self-regulating heating cable increases its heat output when the temperatures drop and decreases it when the temperature becomes warmer. In fact, it creates just enough heat to melt ice, but will not cause the cables to overheat.

Keep your roof and gutters intact by turning to Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota for unmatched solutions. We serve Monticello, MN, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (866) 200-5339 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation.

The post Why Using Salt Won’t Work in Ice Dam Prevention appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

All About Gutter Gadgets

Neat gadgets for improving your life in unique and interesting ways are becoming increasingly popular- many newer products even address problems people don’t know they have. From fancy butter spreading devices to gizmos for cleaning your gutters, there are many creations that attempt to simplify people’s lives. Not all products are created equal, so it’s time we have a talk about popular kinds of…

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

Why Your Overflowing Gutter Is More Harmful Than It Seems

At first glance, a gutter that has water flowing over the sides instead of through the downspout may not seem like a big deal. Sometimes, in a torrential downpour, overflow inevitable because the water is collecting in the gutters faster than it can get through the downspout.

If you see overflowing water in your gutters on a consistent basis though, it’s probably time to identify the problem and enact a solution. After all, gutter systems are in place for a reason, and even though they may seem like a minor aspect of your whole home health, the amount of damage that can occur without proper drainage can be devastating.

Why Is My Gutter Overflowing?

It doesn’t take a home improvement professional to understand that the reason why water isn’t going out through a downspout is because there’s blockage. Probably 90 percent of gutter overflow is caused by leaves, whirlybirds, roofing granules, and other materials that create a roadblock to the drainage system.

It’s important to note that it’s not always debris that is causing your gutters to overflow. Gutters also need to have a slight pitch to them, roughly 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of length. Gutters that are leveled will overflow because the water isn’t forced anywhere, but it should also be noted that too much of a pitch isn’t good either. Not only are radically pitched gutters an eyesore, they’ll also force out water at a faster pace than the downspout can drain it, which also causes overflow.

Dangers of Overflowing Gutters on a Home’s Exterior

Some homeowners might think it’s not that big of a deal that their gutters are overflowing, because who cares if all the water doesn’t get into the drain, right? That sentiment is not true even one bit, because it’s where the water goes instead that can be very damaging.

Storms that bring rain also usually bring wind. The water that is overflowing over your gutters is then almost inevitably going to get blown into the most vulnerable spots on your exterior – around windows and doors.

Even before leaks around these areas start, the moisture exposure will start to rot the wood framing around the windows and doors, which is ultimately either going to lead to a costly replacement ($21,000 national average for the windows alone, according to a 2020 “Cost vs. Value” report published by Zonda) or air leaks that could drive up utility bills and cause early replacement of HVAC systems.

Even if there isn’t always wind blowing water toward windows and doors, soffit and fascia will almost always see some exposure. When soffit and fascia start to rot, there’s some risk of water trickling down interior walls, but you’ll almost assuredly see rodent and insect infestation.

Foundation and Basement Water Damage From Gutter Overflow

Believe it or not, the costliest damage from water flowing over your gutters isn’t necessarily in your windows, doors, or fascia – it’s to your foundation. When gutters are clean, pitched, and properly fastened, they collect water off the roof and disperse it safely away from the home, either out in the yard or the street.

When the rainwater doesn’t make it to the drain, it overflows all around the house, collecting near your foundation. When soil isn’t graded away from the house, that water will all run toward your house. Eventually the soil around your foundation will become soft and saturated, which will allow the concrete to shift and ultimately crack. Once those cracks form, it’s not long before all that water starts finding its way into your basement.

It’s pretty obvious how damaging water in the basement can be, especially in a finished space. Mold, mildew, bacteria, and even the potential for electrocution soon follow. That’s not even mentioning the costly foundation repairs that must be performed to prevent future floods.

Fixing Gutter Overflows

What can be so frustrating about the damages (and costs) that result from overflowing gutters is that they are so easily preventable. The #1 step a homeowner can do to prevent these issues is to simply clean the gutters. An annual cleaning in the spring should be the bare minimum, but it would greatly benefit your home to remove the leaves and other buildup before winter as well. Some people clean their gutters every three months based on their climate and the amount of foliage in the area.

Debris cloggage isn’t the only issue that causes overflowing gutters, though. Gutters may need to have pitch adjusted from time to time, may need to be re-fastened/have fasteners reinstalled, or may require the damaged fascia that is the structural support replaced as well.

Perhaps the easiest way to prevent gutter overflow and also avoid the maintenance costs associated with having to hire a company to clean out the blockage is by installing gutter guards. These simple products attach overtop the gutters and allow water to enter while at the same time blocking leaves and debris from entering the gutter.

Gutter Overflow Summary

The good news is that the fixes for gutter overflows (in the early stages) are much more convenient and less costly compared to the damage that can result if left unchecked for years. Window replacement, foundation repairs, basement remodeling, siding replacement, etc. are much higher end projects than picking some leaves out of a downspout – something to consider.

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

How to Protect Your Garden from Stormwater Runoff

Plants need water to grow, but sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. A proper gutter system will have a downspout for stormwater runoff. However, if you have a garden in this exact same spot, then your precious flowers will be flooded and eventually die. So, what can you do to protect your garden from stormwater runoff? Here are a few tips:

Install downspout extendersHow to Protect Your Garden from Stormwater Runoff

Downspout extenders are exactly as they sound. They can be attached to your current downspouts to extend them further away from their current place. As such, they help force the stormwater moving through your downspout further away from your garden bed.

Use a rainwater collection system

Rainwater collection systems take the water that moves through your gutters and stores it for later use. Not only will this protect your garden from being flooded during a harsh storm, but it will also save you money on your water bills. Plus, rainwater (when it’s not flooding your garden) is more beneficial to plants than groundwater. This is because rainwater has fewer pollutants, making your plants healthier in the long run.

Remove pavement from around the garden

Pavement can worsen flooding, as it prevents water from seeping into the ground. If you have a concrete path or sidewalk along your garden bed, consider replacing it with stone, gravel, or wood chips. These allow water to flow into the ground more easily than with concrete.

If you’re looking to make changes to your gutter system, contact Bell Seamless Gutters today to get started!

The post How to Protect Your Garden from Stormwater Runoff appeared first on Bell Seamless Gutters.

How to Reduce Snow and Ice Damage to Gutters and Fascia

Ice damming is a common problem that occurs when the snow and ice on top of your roof melts down and refreezes along your eaves and gutters. The weight of this buildup can cause unnecessary strain on your gutters, weakening them and hampering their draining ability. It’s something that needs to be promptly dealt with (or prevented altogether) to ensure your gutter system and fascia remains in good shape. 

helmet heat system on gutters

The good news is that minimizing the damage caused by ice dams is simple enough. The trusted gutter protection company in the area, Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota, discusses some of them here.

  • Correct gutter positioning. You can try reducing ice damage to your gutters and fascia board by making sure the system is positioned properly. This means the gutters should be installed a bit lower down so that it’s not directly in the path of sliding snow. But at the same time, you’ll want the gutters positioned in such a way that runoff from your roofing system won’t shoot over them.

  • Proper attic ventilation. Ice dams form because of snowmelt running down your roof, but how do you ensure the buildup on top of the system doesn’t melt in the first place? Easy–just make sure your attic ventilation remains intact. This will expel trapped heat and moisture inside the attic that can thaw the snow and ice on your roof, helping keep the space cool, while allowing for efficient, continuous airflow. Of course, you should still deal with the snow and ice accumulating on your roof. Have the ice buildup removed so its additional weight doesn’t damage the system.

A Better and More Effective Solution

While the tips mentioned above can help minimize ice damage to your gutters and fascia, there’s an alternate solution that can deliver better and faster results. Just turn to Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota. We offer high-quality Helmet Heat® Ice Reduction Systems that melt the ice and snow along your roofline and gutters before they have a chance to build up. They make this possible thanks to a heavy-duty commercial grade self-regulating heating cable. Helmet Heat offers an effective and stress-free way to prevent ice damming for homes that have our unmatched Gutter Helmet® gutter protection system.

To learn more about the specifications of the Helmet Heat® Ice Reduction System, and see if this is a viable option for your home, you only need to call Gutter Helmet® of Minnesota. We serve Monticello, MN and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (866) 200-5339 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation.

The post How to Reduce Snow and Ice Damage to Gutters and Fascia appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

The Downspout Extender, Part 2: Ideas to Create Better Curb Appeal

In a recent blog, we shared what makes a downspout extender one of the most effective solutions to prevent basement flooding. Homeowners who have long struggled with damp, musty basements and crawl spaces are often amazed to learn that adding an extender to their downspouts – which moves snowmelt and rainwater that drains from the roof farther away from the foundation – can be a quick and easy fix.

The Downsides of Downspout Extenders & Some Corresponding Solutions

However, for many homeowners, a long piece of guttering stretching out onto a well-manicured lawn is an eyesore – not to mention inconvenient when it comes time to mow the lawn. For those who want to conceal a downspout extender or simply make it less inconvenient, here are five clever solutions.

  • Hinged extensions. Some extenders feature a hinge where it connects to the downspout, which allows you to flip the extension up when you need to mow the lawn or just want to allow foot traffic to flow more freely.
  • Collapsible vinyl extensions. A roll-up vinyl attachment is another possible solution. This connects at the base of the downspout and automatically extends when there’s water draining. Another benefit is that it’s not prone to dents like metal.
  • Underground pipes. By extending the downspout into an underground pipe, you can hide the extension and direct water to a less conspicuous area.
  • Drainage swales. You can also conceal gutter drainage as a landscape swale – a ditch which looks like a creek bed or grassy meadow that allows water to drain away gradually. A drainage swale can also serve as an attractive landscaping feature.
  • Rain garden. A rain garden is a shallow trench filled with water-loving plants. By building a rain garden, you’ll be able to divert water runoff into a pretty planting bed where it will be naturally filtered. The water will then absorb slowly into the surrounding soil.

Add Gutter Helmet® to Further Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

To learn how rain gutter covers can benefit your gutter system and find out where to get the best gutter guards, give Gutter Helmet a call at (800) 824-3772 or submit our online form.

The post The Downspout Extender, Part 2: Ideas to Create Better Curb Appeal appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

How Do Roof Soffits Help Your Home?

Your roof is made up of multiple intricate components. All of which work together to protect you and your family against the elements while granting your home energy efficiency. One component in particular tends to be overlooked despite its great contributions to your home, which is called the soffit. In this post, your trusted roofing company, State Roofing, shares how roof soffits help your home.

roof soffit

Where Is the Soffit Located?

The soffit can be described as your roof’s underbelly. It’s basically the material between your roof’s eaves where the fascia and gutters are fixed to the wall. If your roof doesn’t have an overhang, then it doesn’t have soffits. When you step outside your home and gander on your roof, do you notice a protrusion that looks like your home’s siding that extends from your home’s facade? If you do, then you’ve finally spotted your soffits.

Why Are Soffit Boards Important?

Your roofing contractor would tell you that your soffits are important since they facilitate passive ventilation for your attic. Keep in mind that a hot and humid attic can be the source of serious roofing and structural damage, like mold growth and rotting. This goes to show how important your soffit boards are. 

Before soffits were the staple choice for circulating air through your roof, gable or hood vents were the go-to choice to create air flow. However, their main problem lies in the fact that they don’t circulate air. They merely spread air in specific locations, allowing mold to grow in spots where it didn’t circulate. Soffits hold an advantage since it draws heat and moisture away from your home and provides sufficient ventilation for your attic.

State Roofing is one of Western Washington’s most experienced roofing companies, boasting over 50 years of experience. We offer a wide range of professional roofing services and roofing options, including asphalt shingles and metal roofing panels.  To request a free estimate, call us at (360) 794-7164 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Tacoma, Kirkland, and Seattle, WA, as well as the surrounding communities.

The post How Do Roof Soffits Help Your Home? appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Let’s Talk About Square Gutters

Squared up, squared off, squared away- let’s face it; squares are all the rage these days, and they are making a strong showing as a simple, elegant, and functional element for the exterior of any home or business. Gutters of any kind are an incredibly crucial part of protecting your home from water and the damage that it can bring, and square or box gutters can add a splash of modernity with all…

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

3 Steps to Protect Your Gutters from Damage

Just like other exterior home components, your gutter serves a critical role in preserving your home’s condition and functionality. However, it will encounter damage over the years due to exposure to the elements. Thankfully, there are many ways to slow down or even prevent your gutters from getting damaged. In this post, the leading gutter and roofing company, State Roofing, shares three steps you can take to protect your gutters from serious damage.

gutter cleaning

Clean Your Gutters Regularly

It’s quite common to find debris and dirt lodged in your gutters. It causes clogs, spillovers or even pooling water. Since water splashes against your home’s exterior and seeps within the eaves, water damage becomes even more likely. To prevent small and even serious issues from occurring, it can be solved by having your gutters cleaned regularly. 

Install Gutter Guards

Your gutter and roofing contractor would tell you that gutter guards are a great addition to your home as it protects your system from leaves and debris buildup. In turn, this prevents congestion and clogging from occurring since it only allows rainwater into your gutters. However, before installing gutter guards, make sure that the ones you’re purchasing are compatible with your current system.

Keep Your Gutters Sturdy

You can secure and fasten your gutters by ensuring that the brackets are attached well to the gutters along the roofline. In turn, this prevents your gutters from loosening or getting torn off during severe weather events. When you spot issues with your gutters, make sure that it is replaced or repaired immediately.

State Roofing is one of Western Washington’s most experienced roofing companies, boasting over 50 years of experience. We offer a wide range of professional roofing services and roofing options, including asphalt shingles and metal roofing panels.  To request a free estimate, call us at (360) 794-7164 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Tacoma, Kirkland and Seattle, WA, as well as the surrounding communities.

The post 3 Steps to Protect Your Gutters from Damage appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

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