Now that spring is here, it is a good time to do some maintenance on your home’s exterior. Debris and dirt that accumulated over the winter should be removed to prepare for the upcoming warmer months. 

Here is a quick checklist for maintaining your home this spring: 

Tend to The Lawn 

Mow your lawn and check for any dry or sparse patches. Be sure to mow your lawn in multiple directions to ensure an even cut on all sides. After the lawn is mowed you can tend to areas that need attention with water, fertilizer, and seeds if necessary. 

Clean the Porch/ Deck 

Remove any leaves, stray grass, and overgrown weeds surrounding your porch or deck. If you have furniture remove them and wash down the porch and deck with your garden hose. If possible, use the highest water setting to blast away any stuck-on dirt. Wash the furniture before putting them back on the porch . 

Wash Windows 

You probably haven’t noticed how dirty the exterior of your windows have become. In addition to washing the inside it is important to maintain them on the outside as well. There are a few different ways to wash your outside windows, here is a list of five easy ways to clean them

This is a very important step to maintaining your home. Gutters help protect your home’s roof and foundation by directing precipitation off and away from your home. Gutters that have not been properly cleaned put your home at risk for flooding, roof damage, and foundation cracking. It is best to clean your gutters at least twice a year- once in spring and again in the fall. . 

Here is how to clean your gutters: 

Supplies: 

• Extendable Ladder
• Heavy Duty Gloves
• Tarp 
• Gutter Scoop or Small Shovel 
• Helper/ Spotter 

1. Start by placing the ladder against your home. Be sure the ladder is on even ground. Have someone stand at the base of the ladder to hold it steady and ensure your safety. 
2. Slowly climb the ladder and take your time scooping any gunk out of your gutters. Drop it on the tarp so it doesn’t create a larger mess on your driveway and lawn. Cover as much gutter as you can without reaching. Move the ladder as you clean around the gutters so you don’t have to stretch. 
3. Once you have completed the whole perimeter of your house, rinse your gutters with the hose to flush out any remaining debris.

Bell Seamless Gutters provides quality gutters, maintenance services, and rainwater collection in New Jersey. Our skilled professionals can help with all of your gutter needs.  Contact us online to learn more about having your home’s gutter system updated or serviced at your Central New Jersey home or business.

The post Spring Exterior Home Maintenance  appeared first on Bell Seamless Gutters.

Are your gutters prepared for the onslaught of spring and summer storms? Now that the winter weather has receded and the temperatures are slowly inching upward, it’s time to make sure that your home’s exterior is ready to go. You’re undoubtedly mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. You might be shoring up your driveway or refinishing your front porch. But what are you doing in terms of spring cleaning gutter maintenance in Oklahoma City?

Before it gets too hot outside—and before you’re stuck with a failing gutter system—take a few minutes to make sure that your gutter system is performing the way it should be.

Check for structural damage

The first thing to do is take a slow walk around your home. Check your home’s gutters and downspouts to make sure that they’re still in good working shape. Check for signs of stress such as cracks, chips and bends throughout your system. You should also make sure that your gutters are still securely affixed to your home.

If you have other drainage systems on your property, like a subsurface drainage system, it’s a smart idea to check the physical condition of those, too.

Check the fascia

One of the most often overlooked aspects of spring cleaning gutter maintenance in Oklahoma City is the checking of your home’s fascia. The fascia is the bit of material that covers your house where the roof meets the outer walls. To determine whether your fascia is in good shape, look for dips and sags along the edges of your home’s roof. This could indicate that your home is damaged and needs to be replaced.

Clean out your gutters

Over the course of the winter, it’s a good bet that your gutters have gotten small pieces of debris stuck in them. Clumps of mud, leaves and sticks are all common items found in gutters. Take the time to clean out all of this unwanted gunk. You should be sure to clean out your home’s downspouts, too. Otherwise, you could discover that water isn’t draining off the roof correctly, or that clogs have formed.

Going through your gutters inch by inch is also an excellent opportunity to figure out whether or not any critters like squirrels or birds have made your gutters their home.

Let us cover it

You could go to the effort of spring cleaning gutter maintenance in Oklahoma City all by yourself and hope you get it right, or you could contact the highly-skilled pros at L & S Seamless Guttering. We’re proud to offer the best sales, fabrication, installation, repair and cleaning of gutters of every shape and size.

Whether your needs are commercial or residential, we can make sure that your gutters work perfectly. That’s the same promise we’ve made to customers since we first opened our doors in 1982. It’s a promise we’ve been able to keep because of our commitment to providing first-rate service at an incredible price.

When you need the best, call in the experts at L & S Seamless Guttering. You won’t regret it!

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

As tedious as it is, gutter cleaning is a necessary part of responsible home maintenance. 

Free-flowing gutters ensure that your home can handle the large amounts of water that come with heavy storms. Gutters and downspouts are meant to direct the water away from your home’s landscaping, foundation and exterior. Uncleared gutters can result in clogs that disrupt the flow of water, which can lead to water damage and the growth of algae.

The Benefits of Professional Gutter Cleaning

If you don’t have the time or energy to clean gutters yourself, contact a professional cleaning service to take care of your gutter and downspout system for you. Here’s why:

• It saves time. With busy schedules, few homeowners have hours to devote to this time-consuming chore, especially if they don’t have the proper equipment. For efficient, comprehensive gutter care and maintenance, take advantage of a professional gutter cleaning service. 
• Pros can help with repairs. If your gutters are in need of repair, most professionals can easily take care of minor issues like bracket replacement, caulking and slope adjustments.
• Accidents can be prevented. Gutter cleaning requires working on and maneuvering a ladder, which most people aren’t accustomed to doing. This puts inexperienced homeowners at increased risk of falls that can result in serious injuries or even death. Professionals, on the other hand, are used to working on ladders and have the necessary equipment to get the job done quickly and safely.
• You can schedule additional services. In addition, professional gutter cleaning companies may offer other essential home services like power washing, window washing and tree trimming, depending on the contractor. 

Learn More From a Gutter Helmet® Dealer

Because gutter cleaning is recommended at least twice a year, it can become a significant maintenance expense. If you’d like to permanently avoid the hassle and expense of hiring a gutter cleaning company, you should consider investing in the Gutter Helmet® gutter protection system. It can be installed directly on top of your gutters to keep out leaves, seeds, pods, needles and other tree debris year-round. To schedule a free estimate for the best gutter guards around or to learn how to clean gutters with gutter guards, give Gutter Helmet a call today at (800) 824-3778.

The post 4 Smart Reasons to Hire a Professional Gutter Cleaner appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

The post Splash Blocks Vs. Downspout Extensions: A Quick Comparison appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

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Home maintenance is important, but it can get tedious. That’s why many people are tempted to take shortcuts. Unfortunately, some of these shortcuts can do more harm than good.

Read on as we explain the truth about common home maintenance shortcuts:

1. Hot Water Eliminates All Germs and Bacteria 

Yes, hot water can kill some bacteria, but not all. In order for water to eliminate microorganisms on a surface, it needs to be very hot (approximately 212 degrees Fahrenheit). A standard water heater is set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is way below the needed temperature to kill many germs. If you need to disinfect your home, chlorine, bleach or pine oil can get rid of germs more effectively. 

2. You Can Sanitize Sponges by Placing Them in the Microwave

Studies have shown that even after being heated in the microwave, 40% of the bacteria in sponges remined. In order to completely eliminate all of the bacteria, the sponge would need to be exposed to scorching temperatures that would leave it incinerated. 

3. You Can Remove Water Stains by Painting Over Them

Painting over water stains won’t get rid of them. They’ll keep coming back until the root cause, which in this case would be a leak, is addressed. Keep in mind that water follows the path of least resistance. As such, the source of the leak won’t necessarily be in the same location as the water stains. 

3. You Don’t Need to Clean Gutters With Gutter Covers

Well, this isn’t entirely false. Gutter covers can reduce, not eliminate, a gutter’s maintenance needs by keeping leaves and other debris out. The only exception is Gutter Helmet®, the best gutter guard on the market. Gutter Helmet is the only brand on the market with a Never Clean Your Gutters Again® guarantee. 

Want to learn more about Gutter Helmet’s features? Gutter Helmet of Cookeville offers professional gutter protection services, including installations of the best gutter guard on the market. To get a free estimate, call us at (800) 824-3772 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Cookeville, TN, as well as the surrounding communities. 

The post 4 Home Maintenance Shortcuts That Just Don’t Work appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Are noisy gutters a cause for concern? In most cases, yes. That’s because they can be a sign of a more serious gutter issue that, if left unattended, can affect the other parts of your home. 

What are the usual culprits behind noisy gutters? 

Gutter Clogs 

Gutter clogs are the most common cause of noisy gutters. Normally, rainwater should be able to flow to the downspouts and drains. However, without routine maintenance, organic debris can accumulate in your gutters and trap rainwater, causing some of it to spill onto your home’s exterior or concrete pavement and produce a dull clunking noise. 

The noise produced by water spilling out of your gutters isn’t the main problem. If water can’t flow to the drains, overflowing rainwater might seep into your roof’s underlayers or, in serious cases, your home’s foundation. That’s why routine gutter maintenance is a must. 

Loose Brackets 

Loose brackets might also be to blame for creaking noises. Under the combined weight of accumulated debris and rainwater, the brackets supporting your gutters might have buckled. Every time the brackets move, a creaking sound is produced. 

Remedy: Gutter Covers

What if you just don’t have the time to clean your gutters? You can try installing gutter guards, which can reduce your gutter maintenance needs. Gutter covers prevent leaves and other kinds of debris from entering and clogging your gutters, reducing the frequency of gutter maintenance. Keep in mind that gutter covers can only reduce, not eliminate, your gutters’ maintenance needs. That is except for Gutter Helmet®, one of the best gutter covers on the market. It’s the only brand on the market with a Never Clean Your Gutters Again® guarantee. 

Gutter Helmet of Piedmont offers one of the best gutter covers on the market. To get a free quote, call us at (800) 824-3772, or fill out our form here.  We serve homeowners in Charlotte, NC, as well as the surrounding communities. 

The post How to Fix Noisy Gutters appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Most homeowners understand the importance of keeping gutters clean and clear of debris. Clogged gutters can wreak havoc with water drainage around the house, causing damage to landscaping, roofing material, fascia, soffit and siding, and allowing water to leak into your home – a potentially devastating problem. 

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t clean gutters out until they notice a problem, such as overloaded gutters that are sagging or pulling away from the house. It’s important not to procrastinate this important task. Call a professional that can safely and effectively clean your gutters right away if you notice any of these problems, and follow the tips below for saving money on professional gutter cleaning services. 

• Visit the websites. In general, most home improvement and home service companies have a good online presence. By visiting each company’s individual site, you can find out more about their services, and you may even find an online-only discount or coupon.
• Look for discounts. As with any other company, those that provide gutter cleaning services want your business. Be on the lookout for advertisements on the TV, radio, social media or daily deal websites, as well as in newspapers and circulars. In addition, keep your eyes peeled for special gutter cleaning discounts, which are not uncommon this time of year.
• Ask about current specials. Many businesses, including gutter cleaning companies, offer seasonal discounts in order to draw in new customers. Some even provide special discounts for military members  and senior citizens, or for homeowners who contract for additional home improvement services. Call a Gutter Helmet dealer near you to find out about any current specials.
• Compare prices. It’s a good idea to get quotes from at least three professional gutter cleaning companies before deciding which one will best meet your needs. If your top pick gives you a higher quote than the others, don’t hesitate to ask if they’ll match one of the lower prices. 
• Refer your friends. Keep in mind that a lot of home improvement professionals will offer a referral reward to current customers. If you’ve found a company that offers great gutter cleaning services, think about referring your friends and neighbors in exchange for a gift card or discount on the cost of gutter cleaning. 
• Install Gutter Helmet®. When you have America’s #1 rain gutter guard installed on your home, you won’t have to worry about how to clean gutters with gutter guards, and you’ll also save yourself the expense of frequent gutter cleanings. The Gutter Helmet system can be installed over new or existing gutters, providing a lifetime of protection against clogs and water damage.

Connect With Your Nearest Gutter Helmet® Dealer

Save yourself the expense of gutter cleaning when you have America’s #1 rain gutter guards installed on your home. Gutter Helmet installs over new or existing gutters. To learn more about the benefits of our unique gutter topper system, contact us online or give us a call at (800) 824-3772.

The post 6 Ways to Save on Professional Gutter Cleaning appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Hello,

Firstly, we hope that you’re all safe and doing as well as can be under the circumstances.

During these unprecedented times, we wanted to answer a couple questions you may have about our rain gutter and roofing services:

Is Rain Gutter Pros still operating?

Yes. Rain Gutter Pros is still available for quotes and projects under the current social distancing measures with a few adjustments (see below).

What measures are in place to adapt to the coronavirus situation?

Most of our work is done with minimal or no contact with our customers or partners. However, we’ve made a few adjustments to those parts of the processes that typically involved face-to-face interactions:

For your safety and the safety of our employees, our technician will not meet with you personally in order to provide job estimates. Facilitating this simply requires scheduling a time in which our technician can access the necessary parts of your property, after which your estimate will be sent to you by email.

Although the most accurate estimates are provided after we’ve been able to assess a project in person, smaller projects (e.g. gutter repair) may be possible for us to quote by viewing photos provided by our clients.

If you have any questions at all, we encourage you to give us a call at (310) 857-6860 or send us a message.

Take care and thank you for your understanding.

– Oz, Rain Gutter Pros

The post Rain Gutter Services & Social Distancing Measures appeared first on Rain Gutter Pros Inc.

The months of March and April are the best times to prepare your lawn for the rest of the summer. The coldest months are behind us, temperatures are warming up and everything is beginning to grow again. Lawn care can feel daunting in spring as you begin to focus on cleaning up what’s left of winter and prep your lawn for its best season, but it doesn’t have to be. With Ned Stevens’ tips on lawn care for spring, you can truly enjoy getting a dose of fresh, spring air and sunshine while you get your lawn on track for its healthiest season yet.

Getting Your Tools Ready

Maintaining a beautiful, healthy, perfectly manicured lawn begins with the tools necessary to make it so. Early spring is the best time to make sure your lawn care gadgets are up to the task. Make sure to tune up your mower by changing the oil, air filter and spark plug. Clean off all the dirt, dust and oil from winter and last summer by cleaning both the top and undercarriage and removing any leftover dirt or lawn clippings. Check the blades of your mower for any large nicks or gouges or any significant dulling. And, of course, make sure you have enough fuel on hand to fill up the tank.

It’s equally important to check your irrigation system whether it’s a sprinkler system or your hose, or both. Make sure your hose hasn’t suffered any cracking or UV damage over the winter. Check the couplings and washers at each end for damage and replace if necessary.

Clean Up Your Yard

Winter’s seasonal climate can alter the pH of your lawn’s soil. It can also compact the soil and create conditions that are favorable for weeds and disease. Spring is the crucial time to properly clean your yard by thoroughly raking away any sticks, leaves, branches and other debris. Fertilize and mow your yard early in the season to figure out if there are any bare spots or invasive plants that need to be taken care of. Look for uneven ground: low points can cause water to pool whereas high points can be a problem for your lawnmower. Use a shovel to even out your uneven patches.

Prep Your Soil

One of the biggest spring lawn concerns is soil compaction. Compaction occurs when the soil becomes too densely packed. This makes it more difficult for grass to take root and easier for hardier weeds to take over. Compaction is easy to test for: stick a garden fork into your lawn’s soil and if you can’t insert the tines 2 inches into your soil, you know you have a compaction problem. This is easily solved through the use of an aerator.

Watering The Right Way For Spring

It is important to follow a watering schedule in the summer to both make sure your lawn doesn’t dry up too much in the heat while also making sure you are conserving water. In the spring, watering your lawn is a little bit different. Holding off on watering in the beginning of spring is actually recommended. Early in the season you don’t need to rush to water your lawn. Since the roots grow first when the grass begins to grow, it is actually better if the ground is a little dry, allowing the roots to grow deep into the soil. It’s these deep roots that help your lawn to survive those scorching hot months.

Get $25 Off Your First Gutter Cleaning!

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