Month: July 2022

If you regularly care for and maintain your gutters and downspouts, you can be sure that they’ll perform their function of channeling rainwater away from your home. However, they can still get damaged by raccoons and other small animals that like to climb over them to look for shelter and food on your roof. If this is happening frequently to your roof, it can gradually damage your gutter system, which can lead to costly repairs.

If you want to stop raccoons from climbing your downspouts and prevent them from invading your property, here are a few effective tips to consider:

Refrain From Leaving Pet Food Outside

If you tend to leave food and water outdoors for your pets, make sure to bring them back indoors by nightfall. Leaving them out during the day should be fine, but because raccoons are nocturnal creatures, they may get attracted to the pet food left outside your home. Any fallen fruit within your property can also fall into your gutters, which can attract them and lead them to climb your gutters. To avoid this, make sure to trim overhanging branches and pick up any fallen fruit that you see in your yard. 

Consider Metal Coverings and Screens

By closing off access to your gutters and roof with a metal grid screen or some kind of covering, the raccoons are unable to climb over even if they try. Having this type of protection can effectively deter them from making their way up and down your downspouts. Of course, they should be firmly attached to the gutters and downspouts so that animals can’t easily pull them apart. You can also check out our gutter protection systems that help prevent debris from accumulating o=in your gutters, which may otherwise attract raccoons and other small animals!

Apply Grease on Your Downspouts

When raccoons climb onto your roof, they have to hug the downspouts firmly to prevent them from falling. By applying grease on the downspouts, they’ll slide downwards and won’t be able to climb properly. Automotive grease or non-food grease is usually recommended. Apply it on all four sides of your downspout. It should also be applied to a high point on your downspouts to maximize its effectiveness while also preventing yourself from having contact with it accidentally. 

When it comes to quality gutter guards, Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota is your best choice for the job! Call us at (866) 937-3508, or fill out our online contact form. We serve our customers in Minnesota, including Duluth and the surrounding areas.

Being a homeowner is a great undertaking and likely one of the biggest investments you will make in your life. In order to protect that investment, it is important to actively care for your home. This means knowing when to call a professional in time of need. 

Here are the four types of contractors you should have in your contact list.

1. Roofer: Because your roof is your home’s main defense against inclement weather, you need to make sure that it is properly taken care of all year round. A roofer can repair cracked shingles, torn flashing, damage around vents and more to prevent leaks and water damage from occurring.

2. Gutter cleaner: When it comes to home maintenance, clogged gutters are a big no-no. If your gutters are filled with leaves, twigs, animal droppings and other debris, rainwater or snowmelt will not drain properly away from your home, potentially causing a host of problems, including mildew growth, soil erosion and basement flooding. With a trusted roofer and gutter cleaner on call, you will not have to worry about these things anymore.

3. Electrician: In cases of electrical malfunctions, an electrician can fix the problem safely. Even minor electrical repairs present risks that only a trained professional should handle. So, unless you are one, do not attempt to fix these electrical problems to avoid creating significant damage and, in extreme situations, a fire hazard.

4. Plumber: Patching up leaks and unclogging drains are something you learn to do on your own over time, but you may still need the help of a certified plumber for bigger complications, such as water heater or sump pump failure.

For top-notch gutter solutions, such as providing the best gutter guards on the market, turn to Gutter Helmet® Systems of Alabama. Our team is dedicated to making the lives of the residents in and around Chelsea, AL, a lot more comfortable. Call (866) 598-7525, or fill out our contact form to get a free quote.

Although the heat can be frustrating to deal with, several tasks need to be done in the yard, regardless of how uncomfortable the weather can be. In fact, some chores are best done during summer and before fall arrives.

In this post, Gutter Helmet — a trusted provider of the best gutter system protection — shares a few tips that will help you perform your chores more easily and safely.

Constant Hydration

Doing yard work in the sun and heat will naturally make you sweat. Sweating is your body’s natural way of cooling you down, preventing you from overheating. When you sweat, you need to hydrate so that you can replenish the fluids in your body. Without enough fluids, you will run into issues while doing physical labor. Drink at least a cup of water every fifteen minutes to avoid heat exhaustion and other issues.

Remember to Take a Break

After doing physically demanding tasks, you should take a break and allow your body to recover. Doing everything in one go is OK if you have a few tasks. If you have a lot on your to-do list, it’s best to take breaks in-between and establish a pace.

Dress Light & Wear Protective Gear

Wear light-colored clothes and protective gear, such as a hat and long sleeves, to protect yourself from heat and sun. Lighter colors absorb less heat from the sun, keeping you cooler. Sunglasses are also recommended as protection for your eyes against UV rays. 

Gutter Helmet is a trusted provider of leading gutter guard systems. We install high-quality gutter protection that means our customers never have to clean their gutters again! If you need help with clogged gutters, our team offers professional service that will meet your expectations. Request a quote by calling us at (800) 824-3772 or filling out our contact form.

Mosquitoes are a common sight during the warmer months. Aside from itchy bites, these creatures can carry diseases and viruses, such as dengue fever, malaria, Zika and West Nile. Do you have pets at home? It may help to know that mosquitoes can also transmit several diseases and parasites that can harm dogs and horses. 

Here are some mosquito control mistakes to avoid this summer. 

Failing to Get Rid of Standing Water

If there is one thing mosquitoes need to multiply, it’s water. Female mosquitoes only need around one inch of water to lay eggs. They can lay a substantial number of eggs at once, meaning it wouldn’t take long for an infestation to happen. To avoid swarms of mosquitoes on your property, get rid of standing water in tires, buckets, birdbaths and toys. If you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, make sure it stays covered, and clean it regularly. 

Neglecting Your Gutters

Keeping your gutters clean and in good shape can help eliminate mosquitoes in your home. Over time, leaves, branches and other debris can clog gutters. When this happens, water will not drain properly from them, encouraging mosquitoes to use them as breeding grounds. 

At Gutter Helmet® of Cookeville, we are here to help make your gutters easier to maintain. We install superior gutter protection systems to help prevent clogs and reduce the number of times you need to clean your gutters. 

Forgetting to Close Trash Cans

Covering trash cans will do wonders in keeping pests out of your property. When open, they can attract bugs, mosquitoes and even rodents. You’ll know the lid is secured once you hear a clicking sound. As long as closed properly, it should remain concealed during storms, preventing water that could draw mosquitoes from entering.  

Investing in quality gutter guard systems can help keep homes protected from water damage and ward off mosquitoes. Turn to Gutter Helmet of Cookeville for your gutter protection needs. Call us at (866) 985-9982, or fill out our contact form to set an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Cookeville, TN.

Gutters are a vital component in a roofing system, redirecting water runoff toward the drains. They also serve an aesthetic purpose of enhancing the home exterior’s visual appeal. Of course, regular care and maintenance are necessary for them to stay in good condition, but if you want your gutters to stay both functional and aesthetically pleasing, you need to select the right material.

Zinc Gutters

Compared to other metals, such as steel, aluminum and copper, zinc offers a natural defense against rain and the other elements. One of its notable features is its zinc-carbonate patina finish, which develops as a result of weathering and lends the gutter material its anti-corrosive properties. Zinc also naturally keeps the mold, fungus and mildew at bay, which makes it ideal for climates that don’t have a lot of moisture and little sunlight.

Zinc is also one of the more affordable gutter materials compared to copper. It’s also more sustainable as it maintains its function and surface health for many years with minimal maintenance. The material can also be recycled infinitely and doesn’t lose its physical or chemical characteristics in the recycling process!

Copper Gutters

This material offers a uniquely elegant appeal that can help any residential home stand out in the neighborhood. Although it’s one of the most expensive in the market, it’s also considered one of the best long-term investments for your roof as it is highly reliable and durable. With regular care and maintenance, a copper gutter system can last for decades! 

Like their zinc counterparts, copper gutters form a blue-green patina on their surfaces –  also a result of long-term exposure to the elements. This coating is also what protects the material from corroding and is also a natural fungicide and algaecide that prevents organic growth from developing. This material has also been in use for roofing and gutter applications for centuries and it can be found in many historical structures around the world.

Which Should You Choose?

Both zinc and copper last much longer in ideal conditions than aluminum and other gutter materials. However, choosing between these premium products boils down to your preference, budget and architectural home style. Zinc gutters are a great choice if you want as much design flexibility as possible as they come in a wide variety of colors. Then again, you can’t go wrong with copper gutters, especially if you want a more rustic or class feel to your historic home exterior.

Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota is the local name to trust for gutter guard installation. Call us at (866) 937-3508, or fill out our online contact form. We serve homeowners living in and around Duluth, MN.