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Why So Many Gutter Cleanings?

We recommend homeowners have their gutters cleaned six times per year on average. This may seem like a large number of gutter cleanings, but hear us out – there’s more going on with your gutters than you think!

Many people might think that gutter cleanings are a seasonal service, only necessary during seasons that bring heavy rain such as spring and summer. Your gutters get a lot of wear and tear during the fall and winter months too, with leaves actually being the biggest culprit! Gutter cleanings are something your gutters and your home benefits from year-round. In fact, making gutter cleanings part of a regular maintenance program helps ensure there won’t be a bigger mess for you to clean up down the line. 

Why Your Gutters Are So Important

Your gutters are designed to collect water from the roof and carry down to the foundation of your home. It’s absolutely necessary for the gutters to be clear so they can do this task! Otherwise, the water will keep building and ultimately have to overflow the foundation of your home without anywhere else to go. This could lead to the water seeping into the basement and open your home to the risks of mold. Clogged gutters can also cause additional strain to your rooftop.

Repairing Damages Is Expensive

The repair for these types of damages can run as high as $10,000. As a homeowner, there is a choice between regular upkeep or potentially letting a bigger issue build up.

Not only do gutter cleanings help the gutter systems, but it also helps prevent further damage to the exterior and interior walls of your home. Regular gutter cleanings are vital to protect your home from water damage and having them cleaned regularly will save you thousands of dollars in possible repair costs in roof damages, exterior damage, or interior wall damage.  

The Benefits of Gutter Upkeep

Regular upkeep for your gutters prevents other types of damages, including:

  • Sagging gutters. The weight of leaves and other debris causing gutters to sag.
  • Gutter clogs. Leaves and other debris falling, clogging the filters and ultimately leaving gutters ineffective.
  • Exterior damage. Leaves that pile up during the fall creates a tinted color in the water that can cause stains anywhere the water trails through once it leaves the gutter.

Our routine gutter cleaning services are easily coordinated with your busy schedule. Our staff can get the job done without your presence required; we will show up, do the job quickly, and leave a service order form on your door so you know it was complete. 

Call Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning today to set up a gutter cleaning with us in order to save time and money down the road! If you’re a new customer, call today and receive $25 off your service or $50 off your first time Diamond Service Plan.

Claim My Offer!

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

Sprucing Up Your Space for the Holidays

It’s that time of year! Fall is passing us by quick and the holidays are steadily approaching, taking our to-do lists from somewhat manageable to oftentimes overwhelming. There are many things to take care of in preparation for the holidays, whether you’re hosting the festivities or going elsewhere. Holiday shopping, cooking, planning visits, getting all your work taken care of before time off, or working more than usual. With all these extra stressors, it’s difficult to keep up in maintaining a pristine condition in our homes—especially the garden which may get forgotten in colder months.

We believe taking care of your home shouldn’t be one of those extra stressors or something that falls off completely! Here are some quick tips for sprucing up your place for the holidays in the midst of all the annual chaos:

First, this is not the time for a deep clean.

(That’s what spring cleanings are for!) When we say “spruce,” we mean spruce! No need to go through every nook and cranny in your home, which are the areas most likely to be dirtied during the holidays anyway. Take a walk through your home with a duster and clean major appliances, except for the inside of your oven. Don’t add more to your plate than you need to!

Clean the carpets and polish the floors.

Your floors have probably survived some traction throughout the summer. Rent a carpet cleaner to help get rid of any stains and use your preferred floor polish to get hardwood floors looking pristine.

Decorate your home’s exterior!

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without decorations. Trade out your Halloween gear for a new fall look for the outside of your home with an autumnal wreath and new pumpkins.

Touch up the yard. 

Fall’s been in full swing, bringing a lot of leaves down ready to be raked! Throw fallen leaves into a yard bag and move up to the street.

Prepare the garden for winter.

Even though temperatures are dropping and your garden won’t be in full bloom, there are still a few things your garden needs to be fully prepared for winter. While you’re sprucing up the home, start by removing rotting and finished plants as well as removing any invasive weeds that have taken over during the growing season.

Light some seasonal candles!

Nothing will make your home feel like it’s time for the holidays more than a couple of scented candles. 

We at Ned Stevens believe in keeping it simple and understand that you have a busy life in addition to taking care of your home. We’re here to provide resources and tips on how to make your journey run a bit more smoothly. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and see how else we can help! Contact us today and receive $25 off your service or $50 off your first time Diamond Service Plan.

 

Get $50 Off Your First Diamond Plan!

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

Ned’s Picks: Best Fall DIY Leaf Art Projects

With fall’s arrival, the leaves are changing colors and there is an abundance of fallen leaves in our yards (and in our gutters!). One option is to rake the leaves and place them in yard bags only to be picked up and tossed away. But why do that when there’s a great opportunity to do arts and crafts with family and loved ones as you prepare for the holidays?

With the kids out of school for fall break, it’s always good to keep their hands busy and creative juices flowing. Try out these DIY fall leaf art projects to help spruce up your yard and have fun!

First things first, here’s what you’ll need in order to best preserve the leaves:

  • Autumn leaves. Collect leaves from your yard in a variety of shapes and colors and then wash gently and allow them to dry. Be sure to grab some small leaves, too, to help fill in detail in your project.
  • An old book. You can press the leaves in an old book to perfectly flatten them, making them easier to use in your project! Leave them in this book for a day for best results.
  • Acrylic spray. Spray with the acrylic sealant on both sides to protect the leaves from crumbling and falling apart.

Once they’re preserved you’re ready to go to try these crafts!

Draw on your leaves!

This one is simple: once your leaves are preserved, you and your family can easily draw designs on the leaves. Draw with metallic sharpies for the best effect in creating autumn leaf art. You can also use your decorated leaves for these other project ideas.

A leaf mandala.

Use removable Scotch mounting putty to arrange your leaves in a mandala or other designs on your wall. You can easily rearrange the leaves if you ever get bored with the design!

A “stained-glass window.”

A quick and easy art project you can use to decorate your home! For this you will need:

  • Wax paper
  • Craft glue
  • Crayon
  • Old sheets of newspaper
  • An iron

Gather your favorite, most vibrant leaves and arrange them on a sheet of wax paper. When you decide on a design, glue the leaves to the wax paper and add crayon shavings for extra design. Cover with a second sheet of wax paper, then place between a sheet of newspaper and iron on low heat in order for it to set. Hang your craft in a window and enjoy your own fall decor!

A leaf garland.

Another quick and easy project to spruce up your interior fall decorations. For this you’ll need:

  • Your favorite decorated leaves
  • A satin ribbon
  • A hot glue gun
  • Pushpins

Take the satin ribbon and lay face down. Arrange your favorite leaves in a line, face down with the stems on the ribbon. Next, use a hot glue gun to attach the stems to the ribbon. Let sit for a couple of minutes to dry and then voila! You have a beautiful, handmade leaf garland that could adorn your door or hallway. Use push pins to hang on the wall or exterior.

While most leaves that fall on our yards are perfect for use in a DIY leaf art project, some leaves get caught in the home’s gutter system and aren’t salvageable. Call Ned Stevens to learn more about our gutter cleaning services and arrange a gutter cleaning today. New customers receive $25 off your first service for a limited time.

 

Get $25 Off Your First Gutter Cleaning!

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

5 Forgotten Home Maintenance Tasks For Fall

Fall is probably the best season to tend to your home and focus on home maintenance. We’ve survived the brutal, hot summer and life begins to revolve around routine again. However, things can easily get lost in the shuffle when there’s so much to get done and the holidays begin to ramp up.

Here’s a quick list of the most important and easily forgotten home maintenance tasks for the fall season:

Cleaning your gutters. 

We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep up on regular gutter cleanings to help save time and money down the line — especially during fall since leaves can actually pose a huge threat in gutter clogs and more serious issues! We recommend having your gutters cleaned at least once per season to prevent damage to your home’s foundation, roof, and interior and exterior walls.

Outdoor spotlight bulb installations. 

Ned Stevens offers exterior bulb light installations with top-of-the-line, 90 watts, 2500 hour bulbs with energy-saving light at only $19.95 per bulb when combined with other services. The outdoor spotlight bulbs might be one of the first things homeowners don’t notice if it goes out, but is extremely important for the security of your home. Bundle this installation service with other home maintenance services with us today to save money and a potential headache down the road.

Clean underground drains. 

After heavy rain seasons, it’s important in the fall to examine the underground drains that are attached to the downspouts which are connected to your gutters. The gutter system collects rainwater and runs it down through the downspouts and into the underground drain to prevent puddling and damage to the home’s foundation. This is a good time to make sure your underground drains are clear to ensure they do their job correctly.

Treat your home to a soft wash. 

Many aren’t familiar with the soft wash option as an alternative to pressure washing the home. The danger of pressure washing is that it can be too hard on your home’s exterior and cause more damage than the cleaning is worth. We offer soft wash services that will leave your home looking pristine using a safe cleaning solution without doing any damage to your home’s siding.

Dryer vent cleaning. 

Dirty dryer vents are the leading cause of home fires. Usually, fires occur when lint and dust build up inside the dryer vent, especially if the vent has become clogged with easily flammable materials that can easily combust. The vent at the front of the dryer is recommended to be cleaned after every use, but the most forgotten utility is the vent in the back. We offer dryer vent cleaning services to ensure your vents are clear and are not a danger to your home.

Ned Stevens offers many services that are important to your home’s maintenance year-round, from gutter cleaning to window cleaning to fence cleaning and more. New customers can receive $25 off your first gutter cleaning service or $50 off your first-time Diamond Service Plan!

 

Claim My Offer!

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

Why Your Gutter Guard Installer Should Be Licensed, Bonded & Insured

Gutter cover installers provide a service just like an HVAC company, roofer and other service technicians. You wouldn’t allow a non-licensed HVAC repairperson or an uninsured roofer to work on your home – so why even consider a gutter guard installer that isn’t licensed, bonded and insured? Yes, you may pay a bit more for installation of an identical product from an unlicensed or insured company, but is it really worth it? Understanding how insurance, licensing and bonding protects you, the homeowner, may make you think twice before hiring a company that does not offer these protections.

Licensing

Although qualifications and regulations vary from state to state, licensing helps you know that the contractor has, at the very least, the minimum experience and knowledge required to pass the state contractor’s exam. The state licensing board will also run a background check on the individual applying for the license and usually check for financial stability. Some states require proof of insurance and bonding as part of their licensing process. Sometimes hiring an unlicensed contractor can result in having to remove newly installed equipment or getting a permit after the fact, which often comes with fines.

Insurance

Not all states require gutter guard installers be licensed – although many gutter contractors do more than install gutter covers on a house so they have a license because of their other service offerings. If you are in one of those states or come across a company that installs house gutter covers without licensing, they still should carry insurance.

Licensed or not, there are three types of insurance you should confirm your contractor has to protect you financially:

  • Liability insurance. This protects you against personal injury or property damage during the course of the gutter cover installation.
  • Workers’ compensation insurance. This covers medical bills and other associated expenses of an employee should they be injured while working on your property.
  • Commercial vehicle insurance. If the contractor’s truck or van backs into your vehicle or home, you want the damage covered.

Many contractors purchase one policy with all three types of insurance since it is often less expensive than three separate policies.

Bonding

There are two categories of bonding. Some contractors have only a surety bond; others have a fidelity bond and some have both. A contractor with a surety bond has the backing of a fund to compensate you financially if they don’t fulfill the terms of their contract. Fidelity bonding means that you’re protected in the event their employee steals from you. Because a gutter cover installer doesn’t need access to the interior of your home, you may find that most exterior contractors only have a surety bond.

Talk to Our Professionals

If you’re considering the installation of gutter covers on your house, be sure to contact Gutter Helmet. Not only are our products time-tested and patented, if we authorize a contractor as a Gutter Helmet® gutter guard installer, you can be assured that the company is licensed, bonded and insured. Call (800) 824-3772 or contact us to learn more about our products and be connected to your nearest installer.

The post Why Your Gutter Guard Installer Should Be Licensed, Bonded & Insured appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

What Kind of Rain Gutters are Right for My Home?

Homes come in a variety of different architectural styles, both traditional and modern. But which gutter style is right for your home? Here are five of the most common gutter styles, and their usage.

K-Style Gutters

K-style white gutters image

Available in virtually any material, K-Style gutters are a classic look that blends well with many traditional housing styles.

K-Style gutters are the most common (and arguably versatile) gutter style in the US. Their styling appears similar to crown molding. They hold a large amount of water and are available in a wide variety of materials. K-style gutters are best suited for homes where a flat fascia has been installed.

Half-Round Gutters

Copper half-round rain gutter

Copper half-round gutters are often chosen for their compatibility with traditional aesthetics.

Largely self-cleaning due to its shape, the half-round gutter can carry a lot of water due to it’s wide diameter of 150mm. Due to its practical shape, these style of gutters work well with virtually any style of architecture — they are most commonly used in Southern California, or on Spanish-style homes.

Box Gutters

Box gutters image

Box gutters are often chosen for modern architecture and industrial applications

A perfect fit for modern architecture, box gutters feature a minimalist style. These can be made flat on all sides, or with a small box trim at the top. These gutters are often made in steel or copper, so that they can be soldered together with the downspouts. Box gutters with a fascia profile are made to look like fascia boards, visually integrating the gutter system with a house’s roof lines.

 

The post What Kind of Rain Gutters are Right for My Home? appeared first on Rain Gutter Pros Inc.

How Does a Leaf-Free Gutter System Work?

leaf-free gutterYou tell yourself the same thing every year, “this is the last time I’m climbing up this ladder.” You’ve been dreaming about the day when your roof is leaf-free, you can put the blower and ladder away and get your mind off cleaning out the gutters and onto important things like family, fun and friends.

Even though you’ve been toying with the idea of leaf-free gutters for awhile now, you may be holding back because you still have questions about how these leaf-free systems work, and which system would be the right one for your situation. 

No more leaves, twigs, debris or clogs!

You’ve got better things to do with your time than cleaning out the gutters. Not only that, but it’s just not safe!  If you have an inefficient gutter system like your current one, it can wreak havoc with your home’s foundation and roof, causing all kinds of problems from water stains to rotting fascia boards. 

Traditional, open-top gutters notoriously collect leaves, pine needles and other debris that cause gutters to clog, thus preventing effective water drainage.  The result of that bad drainage can lead to a whole host of issues that aren’t obvious until you’re left to deal with the results, like wall and ceiling damage due to water leaks or seepage.

A good leaf-free gutter system can offer peace of mind and never requires climbing ladders to keep gutters clean. And because they look as good as they protect, a leaf-free system is a smart investment that blends in beautifully with your home and can ultimately boost your property value.

How the K-Guard leaf-free system works

A leaf-free gutter system is designed to do one thing — to channel rainwater and debris down and away from your property’s foundation and surrounding areas for maximum efficiency and protection.  

That’s why the K-Guard leaf-free gutter system is built to exacting standards using innovative patented, high-strength hanger design of all-weather high-impact polymers for optimum durability and performance.  And because our gutters are a full 5 inches wide, they’re able to drain water more efficiently than smaller leaf-free gutters or gutter covers.

K-Guard system offers unbridled durability and protection:

  • No gutter sag, no maintenance high-strength hanger design keeps its form no matter what the external conditions. No need to tend to gutters ever again!
  • Better capacity for better drainage K-Guard gutters are a full 5-inches wide and can accommodate larger, 3×4-inch downspouts for more water/debris drainage than other, smaller systems.  
  • Long lifespan, no more clogs – both gutter and hood are made of heavy-duty aluminum that is non-corrosive and practically invincible against extreme weather conditions. No clogs ever!
  • Blends right in with your home – most gutter systems have sharp corners and vertical faces, whereas K-Guard gutters’ smooth, curved appearance blends in effortlessly with your home. With a wide variety of colors available, you can find the perfect solution. 

Other systems just can’t compare

We may be a tooting our own horn, but we think we’ve got the best gutter system around. The competition is tough, but our K-Guard system is tougher, so when you compare apples to apples, other systems just don’t measure up.

  • Larger 5” size – K-Guard 5-inch gutters are a full inch larger than traditional gutters and can hold 70 gallons per foot
  • High performance, patented design K-Guard gutter systems replace your gutters as a whole and are engineered to work together for optimum performance and durability. 
  • No hindrance to shingles – unlike most gutter systems, K-Guard attaches to fascia boards and rafter tails instead of roof shingles, so if any other unrelated issues arise you can rest assured your roof warranty won’t be affected. 
  • Two drainage channels instead of one – regular gutters only have a single drainage channel, which sometimes can’t prevent windblown water from going up under roof shingles. K-Guard gutter systems have two drainage channels that flush away water quickly and efficiently.
  • No cleaning or declogging needed – K-Guard Gutter Guards are designed and patented to never need any cleaning inside the gutter, unlike other systems that require seasonal declogging.
  • Good looking, custom-fit while competitors’ gutter guards are designed to fit onto existing gutters, K-Guard gutter systems are engineered to attach to your home without obstructing the roof or roofline.  In contrast to the sharp corners and vertical faces of other gutters on the market, they also feature a smooth, curved design in a variety of colors to complement your home. 
  • Lifetime no-clog warranty – non-corrodible, heavy-duty aluminum K-Guard gutter systems never sag and are built to withstand adverse weather conditions. Innovative, patented, high-strength hanger design ensures optimum performance and durability.
  • Free professional installation in just one day – to make sure you’re getting the very best of your new gutter system, K-Guard contractors will come to your property with specialized equipment and install it for you in just one day.
  • K-Guard quality and experience – with an unprecedented reputation for quality and excellence in home drainage systems since 1998, K-Guard has been field-tested with over 35 million feet of gutter guard systems installed across 37 states. You can trust your property is in good hands!

So what do you say? Are you ready to put down the ladder and pick up the phone?

Call us today at 614-568-7777 and let’s get started.

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

The Gutter Pros Fall Checklist

Most people make a significant effort to prepare their gutters for fall and even more so to clean out their gutters after fall is over. Have you ever considered taking care of your gutters during fall? Keeping an eye on your gutters during the fall is a great way to ensure the protection of your gutters and your home. Follow our fall checklist this season to keep your home in tip top shape.

1. Clean gutters throughout the season

Fall causes many debris to fall right into your gutters. Ensuring that your gutters are clean before fall is essential and cleaning them out when fall is over is necessary, but what about cleaning your gutters routinely during the fall? This helps to eliminate the possibility of heavy debris harming your gutters and ensures that your gutters will continue to keep the water away from your home during those months. Routine cleaning helps to keep your gutters protected from potential damage as well as your home.

2. Leaf removal / raking

Clearing the leaves from the gutters is important, but so is clearing the leaves out of your yard. Ensuring that leaves are not causing water to gather in your yard is essential to ensuring that your home is protected from water damage. Raking your yard regularly throughout fall is important and should be done routinely.

3. Check downspouts and drainage to be sure gutters are functioning properly

Checking to make sure that water is able to flow through your gutters and downspouts is good practice to be sure that your gutters are not clogged or causing any major issues to your home. Pouring water down your gutters and monitoring to see if it flows through is a great way to see if your gutters are functioning as they should or if they may be clogged.

4. Ensure Gutters are sturdy and aligned properly

As debris gathers in your gutters, your gutters may begin to get weighed down and could become loose or unaligned. This can cause leaks in when the rain comes or even broken gutters. Checking routinely while cleaning to make sure your gutters are attached firmly and aligned properly will save you from a lot of bigger and more costly problems in the long run.

This fall checklist helps to ensure that you won’t have to do an intense amount of damage control once the fall is over. Routinely taking care of your gutters during the fall season can save you from repairs or serious damage to your home or gutters. The Gutter Pros are a highly skilled company and would love to help with all your gutter needs this fall.

Call The Gutter Pros today! 443-880-4813

This post first appeared on http://www.thegutterpros.net

Comparing Costs: Are Rain Gutter Guards a Good Investment?

Most homeowners agree that the idea of rain gutter guards is appealing. After all, the best gutter guard products are designed to ensure you never have to spend money on a gutter cleaning company or waste your own time cleaning your gutters. The right product, installed professionally, can and will provide you with a positive return on your investment.

The Cost of Professional Gutter Cleaning

Although the cost varies based on the size of your home and where you live, the nationwide average cost of gutter cleaning, according to HomeAdvisor, is $157 – but may go as high as $225. To make the math a bit easier, we’ll estimate the cost at $150. If you have your gutters cleaned twice a year as recommended, you’re spending $300 per year. In 10 years, if your gutter cleaning company never raises their rates, at the very least, you’ve spent $3,000!

Time Spent

If you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer and take care of your gutters yourself, you need to find the time to do it. Most homeowners spend several hours on the task. That’s because there’s a lot of up and down and moving of a ladder around the home. You’ll also need to dispose of the muck you remove.

Time isn’t the only thing you’ll need if you do this job yourself. You’ll also need to invest in the tools the first time you do it. You’ll need a ladder high enough to safely reach the top gutter on your home, a tarp, bucket and cleaning tools. The tools may cost $200-250 but what is your time worth? And is the frustration worth cleaning them, season after season?

Investment in Rain Gutter Guards

Just as the cost of gutter cleanings varies, so does the cost of rain gutter guards. As you get quotes from different gutter cover installers, you should look at three things:

  • Material
  • Installation
  • Warranty or guarantee

Not all rain gutter guards are the same. What they’re made of and whether you install them or have them professionally installed will greatly influence the price. Of course, the warranty also matters. A gutter cover product with a one-year warranty will likely cost less than one with a lifetime guarantee.

Go With the Best in Gutter Protection

Gutter Helmet® products are rated the best gutter guard products on the market. Not only are they professionally installed, they’re made of heavy-gauge aluminum and come with a Lifetime Performance Warranty plus a Lifetime Materials Warranty. For most homeowners, it takes about 10 years to recoup a gutter cover investment; however, with Gutter Helmet, you’ll never have to worry about paying for gutter cleaning or new gutter covers again! To learn more about our superior product and exceptional warranties, call (800) 824-3772 or chat with one of our online agents to be connected to your local Gutter Helmet installer.

The post Comparing Costs: Are Rain Gutter Guards a Good Investment? appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Gutter Colors Do Make a Difference

Just because gutters are used on your home primarily for practical reasons doesn’t mean they can’t also become an aesthetic feature. There are plenty of options available for you to either make the gutters stand out with some accent colors or make them fade back against the existing colors you have on your home’s exterior.

The biggest tip we can give is to never let the color of your gutter influence the colors you use for your trim. The popularity of white gutters isn’t because they make a better design option or because they give the best curb appeal—it’s simply because that’s what’s most widely available, and it’s not likely to clash with existing colors.

But you don’t need to let gutter manufacturers determine how you’ll choose the rest of the colors for your home. You do have some choices when it comes to your gutters and downspouts, even if it feels like those choices are a bit more limited compared to other types of exterior design elements.

Here are a few examples of some of the options available to you to better customize the appearance of your gutters and to stay up to date with modern gutter trends in Oklahoma City:

  • Matching to siding: One of the safest choices you can make with your gutters is to match the colors to your siding. This is the best step to take if your goal is to make the gutters as unnoticeable as possible. Contrary to popular misconception, you should be able to paint your gutters—you just need to be sure you use the correct kind of paint and follow the proper processes to ensure that the paint does not wear off over time.
  • Matching to trim: If you wish, you can match your gutters or downspouts to the color of the trim on your house. This is still a process that’s used to blend the gutters into their surroundings, but it’s just a bit less subtle than it would be if you matched them to the siding. Your gutters are likely to run up along the trim at some point, which means the matching colors will blend with each other.
  • Metallic finishes: You’d be amazed at how many different types of finishes there are for gutters if you’re willing to do some extra investigation into your options. Some copper or aged bronze gutters can be used on certain architectural styles to create a stately, luxurious appearance. Again, though, this is really only a viable option for certain types of facades.
  • Matching to roof: Gutters can essentially disappear if you decide to match them to the roof. The main challenge here is making sure the downspouts aren’t completely obvious, because you’re always going to want to have matching gutters and downspouts.

For more information about the options you have with regard to gutter colors, we encourage you to contact L & S Seamless Guttering today. We’d be happy to keep you abreast of the latest gutter trends in Oklahoma City.

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

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