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Should You Get a Patio Cover Installed for Summer?

With summer here, you might be wondering what steps you can take to transform your outdoor spaces and get even more enjoyment out of them. If you like sitting out on a deck or patio, one option would be to get a patio cover.

Here are just a few examples of some of the benefits of covering your Oklahoma City patio for the summer.

Give yourself some much-needed shade

The summer sun can get pretty hot, so if you’re really going to enjoy sitting outside on your patio all day long, it can be helpful to provide yourself with some shade. This is especially beneficial if you have a particularly sunny property without a whole lot of natural shade around you. You can sit outside at any time of day enjoying the nice weather, while not having to worry about the sun beating down on you all day or constantly having to reapply sunscreen.

You can purchase either solid patio covers or lattice covers that will still allow a little bit of light to enter while providing you with some extra shade and protection that you wouldn’t otherwise have. Patio covers can also be designed in permanent or easily removable varieties so you can get exactly as much shade as you want, when you want it.

Protect yourself from rain

There’s something extremely soothing about sitting on a covered porch or patio during a summer rainfall. You can stay outside even during inclement weather during the summer when you sit underneath your patio cover.

The patio cover also serves to protect the other items underneath it from the rain. If you don’t protect your patio furniture and the patio itself, it could sustain weather damage over time that can be difficult or expensive to repair, and may necessitate a replacement earlier than you would otherwise prefer. Using a patio cover can save you money from having to replace those items, and also spare you the inconvenience of doing so.

Protect yourself from bugs

Summertime is also the season of bugs, and if you just have open air surrounding your patio, there’s not really much you can do to protect yourself other than wear bug spray and light some citronella candles and hope that does the trick.

When you have a patio cover, though, you can easily hang mosquito netting or use special types of lattice that are designed to keep bugs out, while still allowing air to circulate through the area. This is another way you can use your patio cover to increase your comfort while enjoying the outdoors throughout the summer months.

For more information about the biggest benefits of using a patio cover during the summertime, we encourage you to contact L & S Seamless Guttering to learn more about our patio cover installation services in Oklahoma City. We’d be happy to answer your questions about covering a patio for summer and will walk you through the various options we have on offer. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

10 Gutter and Downspout Runoff Drainage Tips

downspoutGutters play an irreplaceable role in maintaining your home’s excellent condition all year long. By diverting excess water away from your home, gutters work to protect a number of your home’s crucial structural elements, such as landscaping and hardscaping.

Gutters are instrumental in protecting your home’s foundation, preventing flooding and avoiding erosion. What is more, gutters have a positive impact on your home’s exterior, given their ability to reduce paint damage, stains, mildew and mold. Check out K-Guard’s top tips to maximize your gutters’ effectiveness and performance for years to come.

Prioritize Regular Inspections and Maintenance

One of the best ways to ensure that your home’s gutters are in good condition is to perform regular inspections and routine maintenance. Gutter care is a year-long commitment, but it is most pressing at the beginning of the spring and fall months.

During the spring, gutter checks primarily serve to check for damage after intense winter weather, such as snowstorms. Water is prone to freezing within the gutters, which can impair the gutters’ efficiency. During the fall, the priority during gutter checks is removing debris and leaves that may cause blockages.

Checking your gutters during these two times of the year will help ensure that your home is not subject to relentless water flow. That being said, homeowners can facilitate optimal gutter performance by watching out for obstructions of any kind throughout the year. Leaves, in particular, are known to clog gutters, ultimately impeding water flow, which can create more significant issues for your home.

Generally speaking, gutters last between 25-30 years with the proper maintenance. To make the most of your gutters’ lifespan, double-check their connections each year. Homeowners should also take the time to seal or repair any loose joints in the gutters.

Adapt Your Landscaping to Optimize Water Flow

Yet another way to ensure that your gutters function correctly is to adapt your home’s landscaping to ideal water flow and runoff patterns. Start by inspecting your property for any low spots that may be surrounding your home. Fill these low spots as quickly as possible in order to avoid unnecessary water accumulation.

On a larger scale, evaluate your property’s slope and grading. If your property’s grading or slope makes it easier for runoff to accumulate near your home, you may need to hire a professional excavator. Keep in mind that it’s best to keep water flowing away from your home whenever possible.

Homeowners can also take steps to reroute water flow so that it goes into a dry well or a storm drain. This is possible by installing a so-called sump pump, which takes water that’s accumulated in your basement and pumps it in another direction. A plumber can install a sump pump to direct water to a storm drain or dry well near your home.

Last but not least, homeowners can utilize a variety of water collection recipients, including rain barrels, rain gardens and cisterns. These solutions help limit the amount of water that is flowing toward your home, therefore helping you avoid potential long-term damage.

Install High-Quality Gutter Guards

In addition to these strategies to maximize gutter efficiency and optimize water flow, homeowners can also invest in gutter guards. As the name suggests, gutter guards are designed to facilitate water flow into gutters while eliminating outside debris, trash and pests.

By investing in gutter guards, homeowners can considerably prolong the life of their gutters and their home. This is because the longer that your gutters function efficiently, the longer they can protect your home from unwanted water flow and damage. These factors threaten homes’ foundations, exterior, basement flooding and much more.

With these factors in mind, gutter guards are an outstanding solution to the seasonal issues that negatively affect gutters each and every year. Homeowners have the option of different types of gutter guards, depending on their specific needs and preferences. A few options include metal screens, micromesh, sponge guards, reverse curve and slit guards. It’s best to know what kind of debris you are hoping to keep out of your gutters before choosing your gutter guards.

All things considered, gutter guards are a proactive way to extend the life of your gutters and your home. They effectively reduce the amount of maintenance needed on your home each year, ultimately saving you money every year.

Trust K-Guard for Durable, Efficient Gutter Solutions

Established over 25 years ago in Broomfield, Colorado, K-Guard is an established industry leader in gutter protection systems. K-Guard dealers are strategically located in 37 states, making superb gutter protection products widely available for homeowners nationwide. K-Guard prides itself on producing top-of-the-line gutter protection products that make homeowners’ lives easier and reduce the amount of gutter maintenance required annually.

With an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, K-Guard continues to provide spectacular gutter solutions to customers across the United States. For more information about K-Guard’s exceptional offering, call (614) 964-4925 or fill out this quick contact form today.

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

10 Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting for Urban & Rural Homes

Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater run-off from a roof or other surface for future use. The rain collects in the gutters, travels down the downspouts and is then channeled into a barrel or other container for storage until it’s needed.

Thanks to better environmental awareness and the green building movement, rainwater harvesting systems have become increasingly popular in the United States. This is good timing because the reality is that the water we need to run our households and businesses is in very short supply in many parts of the country. Thus, rainwater harvesting just makes good sense.

The Benefits of Rainwater Collection

  • When used in conjunction with a Gutter Helmet® gutter guard system that filters out leaves and debris, the rainwater will be clean and ready to use for any non-potable need.
  • The water is free.
  • Water is conserved, which reduces demand on local wells and municipal supplies.
  • The use of stored water cannot be restricted by your town or city.
  • Rainwater harvesting can be an excellent back-up source of water in emergencies.
  • Rainwater collection systems can be established almost anywhere in urban, suburban and rural areas.
  • Collection systems are simple to set up and can easily be expanded, reconfigured or relocated when necessary.
  • Unchlorinated rainwater is better for plants and gardens.
  • Rainwater harvesting reduces stormwater runoff, which can cause erosion and water pollution.
  • Rainwater collection can solve drainage problems on your property.

For every 1,000 square feet of surface area, you can expect to harvest around 600 gallons of water per inch of rain that falls. Get more details on calculating and planning for a rainwater harvesting system from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Gutter Helmet® & Rainwater Collection Systems Help the Environment

For information about how to incorporate Gutter Helmet® rain gutter covers in your rainwater harvesting system, call (800) 824-3772 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Before you know it, you’ll be saving money on your water bill and benefiting Mother Nature at the same time with the help of the best gutter guards around!

The post 10 Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting for Urban & Rural Homes appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

3 Most Common Gutter Guard Fails

If you have a home that is surrounded by trees and foliage, you might have thought about installing a gutter guard. Every home is different and therefore its gutter needs may be different as well, depending on the type of roof you have and where your home is located. The climate that you live in, including the number of days of rain and sun your get each year, will also make a difference when it…

Source

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

3 Ways to Avoid Excessive Soil Erosion from Spring Rains

A downpour in spring is not uncommon and most people like it because it gives the outdoors a nice, refreshing atmosphere. But here’s a drawback: spring rains can actually lead to excess soil erosion in your property. When this happens, the topsoil is washed away along with its organic matter and beneficial microorganisms and nutrients. In some cases, soil erosion can even wash away contaminants, such as fertilizers, pesticides and petroleum products, which may end up downstream and into the water supply. 

plant to prevent soil erosion

To prevent all these, and keep your landscaping intact, take proactive measures that keep the soil in your property stable. Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota, the area’s premier installer of quality gutter protection systems, shares how.

  1. Start planting. Stabilizing the soil around your property can be simple and labor-intensive. You can, for instance, just use ground covers and plant perennials to hold it in place. They generally work well if the ground is not particularly steep. But if the ground is sloped, you might need to use clump-forming ornamental grasses and native wildflowers instead. They adapt fairly quickly in steeper areas, allowing you to anchor the soil before any plants you’d like to grow are established.

  1. Overseed the lawn. If the erosion has affected the soil in your front yard, make sure to consider adding extra seeds to cover the ground and fill in any bare patches. Overseeding the lawn, in fact, helps increase root density, which in turn, keeps the soil firmly in place even when it starts pouring. Not only that, this creates a healthier environment for grasses and flowers to grow.

  1. Invest in certain erosion control methods. These may include installing barriers, or baffles, which slow down or divert water when it flows downhill, or using riprap, which are rough, loose stones that are spread on slopes to control erosion. You can also have your gutters checked for leaks or alignment issues. When gutters have leaks, water will splash down onto the ground instead of being channeled into a rain barrel or drainage area. The same thing happens when they’re not pitched correctly. To minimize soil erosion, you should take a closer look at your gutters and resolve any issues about their draining performance.

Gutter Helmet® of Northern Minnesota is your one-stop-shop for the highest quality gutter solutions, including the installation of Gutter Helmet® gutter protection systems. We’ll keep your home safe from water damage, and lower the possibility of soil erosion in your property, with our top-tier services. Call us today at (800) 824-3772 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. We serve Duluth, Minnesota, and the surrounding areas.

The post 3 Ways to Avoid Excessive Soil Erosion from Spring Rains appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Protect Your Shingles

Roof cleaning

Calling all homeowners! Protect your shingles with Superior Pressure Washing’s custom roof cleaning solution. Our professional soft washing service removes dark stains and bacteria from roof surfaces without causing damage to your property. The result? A cleaner, safer roof that instantly improves curb appeal.

We serve the following areas of Maryland:

  • Frederick
  • Gaithersburg
  • Germantown
  • Olney
  • Potomac
  • Rockville
  • Frederick

Protect Your Shingles With Our Soft Washing Solution

We never use high-pressure washing or harsh chemicals to clean and maintain roof shingles, even if asked. Our safe cleaning practices protect all our customers and provide peace of mind.

We believe soft washing is a safer alternative to other methods when cleaning roof surfaces, and safety remains the No.1 priority for our trained technicians.

We Take Safety Seriously

Pressure washing often causes more harm than good when cleaning roof surfaces. It can damage shingles, awnings, and other roof components, especially on older properties. That’s why we only use safe soft washing techniques that remove stubborn stains and bacteria.

We extend our safety principles to other areas of your home. Our technicians can move furniture and lawn decorations and cover delicate plants like roses and maple trees if required. We will return any moved items to their original location and rinse plants after soft washing your roof.

[EMBED VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O90-rvzeZk]

Why Choose Superior Pressure Washing?

A safety-first approach

Are you looking for roof cleaning services in Maryland? Superior Pressure Washing always uses the safest cleaning methods that improve the quality and appearance of roof shingles. Call (301) 949-8000 or get a free estimate today!

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorwash.net/

Zinc vs. Copper: Which Premium Gutter Material Is Right for You?

Gutter systems are an essential line of defense against water damage. That is why it’s crucial to pick the right material for your gutters. Premium materials like zinc and copper come highly recommended due to their superior performance and durability. But of course, these two types of gutter materials have qualities that set them apart from each other.

gutter installation

Appearance

Copper features a rustic finish that goes perfectly with historic homes. It’s also a great option for homeowners who want to add a luxurious touch to their homes. Copper gutters can also complement wood and brick exteriors. And, with the blue-green patina that copper gets over time due to oxidation, you can add an old-world charm to your home. Zinc gutters, on the other hand, have a more flexible style. They are available in various colors as well, so they fit more easily into different homes.

Longevity

Zinc and copper are generally longer lasting than other gutter materials like aluminum. However, copper may have an edge over zinc since the former is not affected by salt water. High salt content in the air can cause zinc to permanently stain. So, if your home is in the vicinity of the coast, experts recommend power washing your gutters on a regular basis. If you fail to rinse salt water off your zinc gutters, the material will prematurely break down, slashing 20 to 40 years off the gutter system’s life expectancy.

Cost

Both zinc and copper are considered premium gutter materials. However, copper gutters usually cost more. They can be 10% to 100% more expensive than zinc gutters depending on the extent of installation, the shape of the molds and the soldering required.

Gutter Helmet® of Piedmont is a locally owned and operated business that provides excellent gutter protection products and services. With our gutter guards, you can rest assured that your gutter system will be completely protected. Call us at (844) 204-1015, or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We serve customers in Charlotte, NC, and the surrounding areas.

The post Zinc vs. Copper: Which Premium Gutter Material Is Right for You? appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

5 Essential Gutter Cleaning Tools

Once you’ve made up your mind to tackle gutter cleaning, the next step is to arm yourself with the right gutter cleaning tools. If you don’t have effective tools, the job will be much more difficult, and your safety could even be compromised. Below are some basic yet essential gutter cleaning tools that will help make the chore as easy as possible.

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

Before attacking your gutters, make sure you have all the right tools. Here we list the five that are the most essential to a successful gutter-cleaning project:

  • Sturdy ladder. A stable ladder that’s tall enough to extend beyond the edge of the roofline – which will prevent you from reaching out and potentially losing your balance – is your most important gutter cleaning tool. Be sure to first inspect the ladder for any damage or defects, and be certain to let someone know you’ll be using it to clean out your gutters.
  • Protective gloves. Gloves are essential to protect your hands from the bacteria that multiply in rotting gutter debris, as well as sharp pieces of metal. If the debris is dry, you may choose to just scoop it out with your hands.
  • Gutter scoop. This can be a small hand shovel from your local home improvement store or a homemade scoop fashioned from a milk jug or pop bottle. A gutter scoop allows you to quickly and efficiently remove gutter debris from the base of the gutter trough.
  • Gutter brush. This specially designed brush can be used to scrub dirt and residue from the bottom of the gutter. After using the brush, just rinse the gutters out with a garden hose.
  • Garden hose. There are many tools on the market designed to flush out gutters, but the most economical is the everyday garden hose. After removing debris and scouring the gutters with a gutter brush, use the hose to rinse dirt out of the gutter system.

Eliminate Gutter Maintenance With Gutter Helmet®

If you simply don’t have the time or ability to pull a ladder and all the necessary gutter-cleaning tools out a couple of times a year to clean your gutters, you should consider having one of our professionals install our innovative Gutter Helmet® gutter covers on your gutter system. Gutter Helmet guarantees you’ll Never Clean Your Gutters Again®! To learn more about the best gutter guards and arrange for a no-obligation consultation with your local dealer, call (800) 824-3772 today.

The post 5 Essential Gutter Cleaning Tools appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Do You Need HOA Approval to Replace Your Gutters?

If you live in a neighborhood that is not part of a homeowners association (HOA), undertaking home modifications, like building a fence or replacing your outdated windows, is completely up to you. If you do live in an HOA, however, you will often require approval from the HOA board before performing exterior upkeep. In this article, Gutter Helmet of Northern Minnesota, a leading provider of the best gutter guard system, reveals whether or not you need HOA approval to replace your gutters.

HOA and gutter replacement

Why Pre-Approval Matters

If you fail to ask for approval and your renovation breaks HOA rules, the board can compel you to go back to the drawing board, redo the entire work and slap you with a fine. Generally, you need board approval for remodels that involve components visible from the exterior of your residential property. Exterior elements such as the roof, siding and gutters can influence the look and feel of the HOA, so the board needs to sign off on these modifications.

CC&Rs for Your HOA

Every HOA has governing documents—commonly known as CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions)—that detail what you can and cannot do to your home. It is crucial to read the CC&Rs for your HOA before diving into work. You want to avoid the additional expense and unnecessary hassle as much as possible.

How to Get Approval

Once you have read your HOA’s CC&Rs, it is time to deal with the board. The first step is to fill out and submit relevant project forms to your HOA. If your basic plan is approved, bring in the professionals to carry out the gutter installation or any other exterior remodel. Your contractor will make sure the renovation task remains compliant. Some HOAs prefer to see all-inclusive, elaborate plans created by a trustworthy contractor before work begins.

For reliable gutter installation services or the best gutter guard system, turn to Gutter Helmet of Northern Minnesota. Our certified professionals are committed to providing the comfort and efficiency you need through industry-leading products and outstanding customer service. Call us today at (800) 824-3772 or fill out our contact form to request a free, no-obligation estimate. We work with clients in Duluth, Minnesota.

The post Do You Need HOA Approval to Replace Your Gutters? appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Tips for Maintaining Your Gutters for the Summer

Summer has arrived, and that means warmer weather, more time spent outside and, yes, more rain and thunderstorms. With summer storms on their way, this means it’s important for you to be certain your roof and gutters are in sufficiently good condition to hold up to that weather throughout the season.

One of the most important things you can do for your home’s gutters is have them inspected and maintained by a professional (or, for some simple tasks, by yourself). Some preventative maintenance will go a long way toward helping you save money on what should be unnecessary repairs and potential premature replacement.

Here’s a quick look at some of the steps you can take with your summer gutter maintenance in Oklahoma City to make sure your gutters are fully prepared for the season.

Inspect the gutter system first

The first step you should take before performing any maintenance is to perform a visual inspection of the entire gutter system. First, walk around the perimeter and look up at the gutters. Make sure there aren’t any hanging parts, and that nothing appears to be cracked, leaking or clogged. You should also make sure your gutters are not sagging, and that they’re affixed securely to the fascia.

If your gutters do develop leaks, or if they’re clogged, this could result in water spilling out below where it will pool up on the ground. This could damage flower beds, attract bugs and pests or even seep down into your home’s foundation.

Your inspection will help you determine what action and maintenance, if any, need to be performed.

Clear the gutters

If you notice you have a buildup of leaves and other debris in your gutters, it’s important to remove it so it doesn’t become worse and potentially cause a blockage. Ideally you should clean your gutters at least twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. But if you neglected to do this previously, or if you have more of a need (such as trees that hang over your gutters and drop debris), then you should do it more frequently.

Keeping the gutters clear allows water to flow through the system in the way it was designed to do, and prevents it from overflowing over the edges and causing potential problems on the ground down below.

Call in the professionals

If it does look like you have some issues beyond clogged gutters that need to be resolved, this is when you should rely on the services of a professional. Any type of repairs to the gutters themselves, for example, should be handled by pros. They’ll be able to patch up holes, cracks and seams, and handle issues with sagging gutters or detachment from the fascia. They’ll also be able to ensure the downspout is diverting water in such a way that it will not affect your home’s foundation or your landscaping.

For more information about maintaining your gutters this summer in Oklahoma City, contact the team at L & S Seamless Guttering.

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

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