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Gutter cleaning is usually at the bottom of the list for homeowners when it comes to fall maintenance. Although dirty and sometimes dangerous, this task shouldn’t be avoided for long, as wet fall weather can lead to major problems such as gutter clogs and flooding, which can damage both your home and your landscaping. When cleaning your gutters, be sure to avoid the following mistakes:

• Not using the proper tools. In order to clean your gutters thoroughly, you need to be sure you’re using the right tools. Don’t cut corners by trying to use equipment like a shop vac or a leaf blower to clean the debris out of your gutters. Sure, this may save a little time initially but, ultimately, you’ll just end up redirecting the debris to your roof or some other area of your property that will eventually have to be cleaned up as well. Instead, all you need is a few simple tools and pieces of equipment: gloves, closed-toe shoes, gutter scoops and a safe, sturdy ladder.

• Going the DIY route. While gutter cleaning is an easy-enough task that many homeowners are capable of doing on their own, whether it’s done safely is another matter. Gutter cleaning can be quite hazardous if you’re not careful. Avoid standing or sitting on your roof while working on cleaning out your gutters as the surface is unstable, and you also run the risk of damaging your roofing. In addition, don’t get on a ladder unless someone is around to hold it steady for you. Overall, you’re much better off hiring someone to take care of your gutter cleaning needs. Just be sure to hire a competent, experienced company with a good reputation that can do the job credibly.

• Skipping cleanings. Another mistake homeowners tend to make is not having their gutters cleaned out as often as they should. Gutter cleaning should be done at least twice a year: once in the spring to remove tree pods and other debris, and once in the fall to take care of any leaves that have built up in the gutters. These seasons are preferred for another reason: the weather tends to be nicer. If you don’t remember when your gutters were last cleaned but you know that it’s been at least six months, don’t delay. Schedule your next gutter cleaning ASAP to avoid flooding due to clogged gutters and the resulting damage to your home. 

Invest in Gutter Helmet®

Though you probably already feel that your fall maintenance list is long enough, you need to make sure that gutter cleaning is on your to-do list – preferably near the top. If you previously invested in Gutter Helmet® gutter guards, feel free to give us a call at (800) 824-3772 or submit our online contact form to learn how to clean gutters with gutter guards. If you’re still indecisive about getting a gutter protection system, check out our website for some of the best gutter guard reviews!

The post 3 Key Gutter Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Because they protect homes from damaging rainwater, gutters are possibly the most essential component of a house. While gutters can last for decades with some yearly maintenance, there’s still a possibility of failure. Thankfully, knowing when your gutters are failing isn’t a guessing game.

This post will cover the top signs of a gutter needing inspection and subsequent repairs.

Cracks or holes

The most obvious sign that it’s time for a professional gutter inspection and repairs is if you spot cracks, holes or any other flaws in your gutters. You may be able to spot the damage from the ground if it’s bad enough, but most of the time, you won’t notice it until you’re up on the roof cleaning them out. For that reason, you should make a habit of cleaning your gutters each spring and fall.

Sagging

Your gutters may start to sag or pull away from your home as they get older and more worn. We often see this when gutters go for too long without being cleaned and start to accumulate tons of debris. As you can imagine, gutters can’t do their job if they’re not flush against your roof. You might be able to reattach your gutters on your own, but we recommend hiring a professional to ensure the job is done right.

Nails or screws on the ground

Gutters are typically attached to your roof with nails or screws. If these fasteners fall out, your gutters will eventually come down with them. Check the area around your foundation for any fallen nails or screws. If you spot any, it’s a sign of a gutter needing inspection. This issue typically goes hand in hand with sagging or aging gutters.

Overflowing gutters

Water should ideally flow off your roof, into the gutters and then harmlessly onto the ground away from your home. But as they accumulate more debris, the water can start to overflow from the sides of the gutters before it makes its way to the ground. Keep in mind that this can occur even with clean gutters during heavy storms, but if it’s a regular occurrence, it’s time to call a gutter repair specialist.

Plant growth or animals

The leaves and twigs in dirty gutters make a perfect nesting spot for mice, rats, racoons, birds and even bugs. Seeds that fall into unclean gutters can even take root and start to grow! Any animal nests or plant growth are reasons for gutter inspection. Your specialist can clean all that debris and make any repairs to ensure your gutters are clean and fully functional throughout the year.

Do your gutters need some attention?

If you’ve noticed any of these reasons for gutter inspection, it’s time to call our team at L & S Seamless Guttering to perform a full inspection and make any necessary gutter repairs. Along with taking care of repairs, we can install new gutters if yours are significantly damaged. Get in touch with our friendly team today to schedule a consultation and get your estimate.

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

Many property owners are under the assumption that they’ll only need to worry about their gutters during the spring, summer and fall months. After all, that’s the only time it’s going to rain, right?

While that may be true as it pertains to rain, winters present new elements that gutters will need to be able to handle: snow and ice. Noting this, gutters need their fair share of maintenance both in preparing for the cold weather and throughout the season as well.

In this post, we’ll discuss three things that you should be doing to properly care for your gutters this winter. Taking some steps during the fall months before cold weather sets in can help ensure that your gutters are working well when they need to this winter season. 

1. Properly Prep Them for Winter Weather

Proper care and maintenance of your gutters during the winter months starts with prepping them right before the cold weather months set in. There’s a laundry list of things that you should be doing before winter to ensure that your gutters continue to do their job for when temperatures plunge and the snow begins to fall. Here’s a look at some of what should be on your to-do list in late fall:

• Clean out gutters and downspouts: Gutters are often clogged by leaves and other debris. And when they are, it can greatly impact water flow and disrupt proper drainage. It’s suggested that property owners clean out their gutters at least twice a year, and one of these cleanings should occur during the fall months. If rain and ice melt off the roof isn’t allowed to drain properly during the winter, it’s likely to freeze within the gutters, adding more weight to them and potentially causing them to pull away from the roof line or sag. Poorly draining gutters can also lead to ice dams, which we’ll cover more of in the next section.
• Inspect them for leaks: This is a good thing to do periodically throughout the year, but especially before winter weather sets in. The next time it rains, grab an umbrella and walk the perimeter of your home. Look for leaks in the gutter system, especially around where gutters meet downspouts. Make sure to address these leaks accordingly to minimize the risk of foundation degradation and water intrusion.
• Address your landscaping: If you have any trees or landscaping growing near your gutters, you’ll want to take out your trimmer and make sure that any branches are cut back enough to avoid contact with them. High winds in winter often cause branches and limbs to scratch up anything that they come into contact with, and it could lead to damage to your gutters.

2. Be Wary of Ice Dams

Ice dams form when snow melt runs off the roof toward the gutters only to refreeze after the water comes into contact with the gutters. This can prevent water runoff from draining properly and, if ice dams become too significant, can also lead to water seeping through the roof and into the attic or other areas of the home. This, in turn, can lead to some costly water damage restoration.

There are many ways to prevent ice dams from forming, and while some of these methods include ensuring that your attic is properly insulated, we’re going to focus on gutters specifically in this post. Like we said in the above section, you’ll want to make sure that your gutters are free of leaves and debris so that snow melt can properly drain.

Secondly, you may even want to invest in a special roof rake to use this winter. Roof rakes are long-handled, specially designed rakes that will not damage the roof. Property owners can use them following snowfall to rake a few feet of snow off the roof near where the roof line meets the gutters. This will ensure that water can drain more freely and minimize the potential for refreezing. Roof rakes can also be used to break up ice dams if they form.

3. Don’t Forget About Your Downspouts

The downspouts are the parts of the gutters that actually distribute the water runoff away from your home. Ideally, they should be discharging water several feet away from your property, and the areas where they are should be sloped away from the house (and not toward it) to avoid puddling or pooling around the foundation.

Fall is the time to check your downspouts to make sure they’re in good shape and discharging water accordingly. It’s also a good time to make any grading adjustments if the soil is sloping toward your home and not away from it. When the weather begins to get colder, the ground will also harden, making it more difficult to perform any grading.

Contact K-Guard Today

For more information on how to care for and maintain your gutters this winter, contact K-Guard today.

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

Nothing is worse than trying to be sold extras or add ons in an industry that you aren’t familiar with. It’s like when you go to a car mechanic and you aren’t sure whether you really need to upgrade your oil for the car or add on a new vent. The same can be said for gutter guards and whether they are necessary or not. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of gutter guards so that we can figure out whether…

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

Heavy rain can do a number on your roof, which is understandable considering rainwater weighs almost five pounds per inch! This means that anytime a strong storm rolls into your area, your roof will be pounded by up to 2,000 pounds of water. For this reason, it’s essential that your gutters are as strong and sturdy as your roof. 

Signs That You Need New Gutters

While copper rain gutters can last for up to 50 years and aluminum and galvanized steel gutters will hold up for around 20 years, when buying a new house, it can be hard to tell exactly how old the gutters are. Thus, you need to be on the lookout for specific signs which will indicate that it’s time to replace the gutters.

With all the stress of buying and moving into a new house, it can be very tempting to put the condition of the gutters on the back burner. However, it’s important to know the warning signs to watch for which indicate that they need to be replaced. Timely gutter replacement is critical in preventing damage to your home. 

Below we’ve listed some of the signs that it may be time to replace your gutters. 

• There are holes, gaps or cracks present. If there are a number of holes, gaps, cracks or rusty spots on your gutters, and they’re bad enough that you can’t fix them yourself, it’s probably time to replace your gutters. 

• The gutters are sagging or separating. If your gutters are coming apart or pulling away from the house, this is a clear indication that your gutters need to be replaced. After all, they can only function effectively when each piece of guttering is fitted tightly to the next one, and each section is attached securely to the house. If the entire gutter system is separating from the house, it will probably be necessary to replace the fascia boards as well as the gutters. 

• The fasteners appear to be damaged. The metal fasteners holding your gutters in place against the roof also help keep them straight and level, so water flows smoothly in the right direction. If you replace the damaged or broken fasteners but continue to have problems with the gutters, you may need to replace them as well.

Regular Maintenance Equals Longer Life

If you want your gutters to reach their full potential, it’s important to clean and maintain them regularly to remove clogs. Better yet, install gutter caps like those from Gutter Helmet to keep your gutters clear and eliminate the need for gutter cleaning this fall. For greater peace of mind and to learn more about the gutter protection service we provide, give us a call today at (800) 824-3772 or submit our online contact form.

The post Common Signs Your Gutters Have Seen Better Days appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

Gutters are a necessary part of our homes. Unfortunately, they are also prone to a few common problems. If caught early, these problems can be fixed easily without any further damage to your home. So, here are the four most common problems with your gutters you should keep an eye out for:

Sagging gutters

Have you noticed a slight dip in the line of your gutters? Then chances are they’re starting to sag. Sagging gutters can cause water to build up inside, preventing proper drainage and adding unneeded stress to your gutters. If left for too long, your gutters could collapse completely.

Leaking gutters

A particularly bad storm has a chance of harming your gutters. When any form of damage occurs, the risk of leakage increases. Sometimes, a leak isn’t obvious. But even a small leak can slowly erode the underlying support and foundation below. That’s why it’s always a good idea to routinely check your gutters for leaks.

Improper gutter slope

An improperly sloped gutter is sometimes hard to spot. Yet, the results can be disastrous if you let it go for too long. A gutter with a poor slope can lead to water pooling inside your gutters. As water collects inside, it could leak into your home or cause the total collapse of your gutter system. A good way to spot improper gutter slope is if you notice that your gutters are failing to drain.

Clogged gutters

Clogged or blocked gutters are perhaps the most common issue homeowners will have to deal with. Gutters full of leaves or debris can cause gutters to overflow, eroding the foundation below and potentially causing water damage. Thankfully, the fix is a simple one—clean your gutters regularly.

Bell Seamless Gutters can help you with all of the above gutter issues. Contact us today to learn more!

The post The 4 Most Common Gutter Problems appeared first on Bell Seamless Gutters.

Cleaning your gutters isn’t the most fun project out there. Trying to clean your gutters in the winter is a whole other ordeal. Scraping and trying to unblock the gutters when things start to freeze is not easy. But you certainly don’t want to damage your gutters by trying to force them. That’s why we offer some of the best tips and tricks to making sure your gutters stay clean during winter…

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

The post Why Are Your Clean Gutters Still Overflowing When It Rains? appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

One of the least favorite fall chores for many homeowners is cleaning out the gutters. This is understandable, as wet leaves can quickly become a slimy, soggy mess. That’s why many homeowners choose to install Gutter Helmet® gutter guards and save themselves from having to deal with this unsavory, time-consuming and sometimes dangerous task!

How They Work

Gutter Helmet offers the best gutter covers in the industry. They’re designed to keep leaves and other debris out of your gutters, and they do such a great job that you’ll never have to clean the gutters again! In fact, Gutter Helmet is America’s #1 choice for gutter covers. Below, we outline a few of the most important things that you should know about the Gutter Helmet gutter protection system. 

• Gutter Helmet has a patented “nose-forward” design that moves debris away from the gutters. This means that the gutter is facing away from the roof, with its surface extending past the edge of the gutters. It then curves in, creating a downward slope off which leaves, twigs, seed pods and other tree debris easily slide.
• Its textured surface allows water to flow smoothly into the gutters. Water clings to the ribbed, textured surface of Gutter Helmet covers, following the slope down until it flows freely into the gutters. This feature adds strength to the structure and enables Gutter Helmet to handle even the toughest weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow. 
• The narrow ⅜-inch slit keeps small animals out of your gutters. The slit through which the water moves into the gutters is so small that no animals will be able to get into them. This will stop birds and small animals from building nests and prevent clutter from accumulating in the gutters and causing clogs. 

A Worthy Investment

Homeownership can be expensive, and not many people can afford to spend money on products that don’t work. When you install high-quality Gutter Helmet gutter guards, you can be assured that you are making a good investment. To learn more about this exceptional product, give us a call today at (800) 824-3772 or submit our online contact form.

The post How Gutter Helmet® Works: 3 Things You Need to Know appeared first on Gutter Helmet.

During the winter months, dropping temperatures and increasing precipitation can wreak havoc on roofs, siding and foundations. Because of the harsh conditions that exist during the winter months, gutter problems are far more common during this time of year. Even minor gutter problems can cause extensive damage to homes, so it’s important to minimize the risks of gutter damage as much as possible.

If you’re wondering how winter weather affects your gutters, keep reading to learn more.

Winter gutter problems to look out for

Gutters are essential when it comes to protecting homes from the elements, and gutter problems can cause serious issues for homeowners. When gutters aren’t working effectively, it can cause siding damage, roof damage and even foundation damage.

Here are some common winter gutter problems to look out for as the seasons change:

• Ice accumulation: One of the most common—and most serious—gutter problems that comes up during the winter months is ice accumulation. During the fall, leaves and other debris build up in gutters and block water flow. Once winter rolls around, these obstructions cause ice and snow to accumulate in gutters and weigh them down. The best way to avoid ice accumulation is to keep gutters free of leaves and debris with regular cleaning.
• Downspout clogs: Gutter systems are designed to divert water off of the roof and through downspouts which direct the water away from a home. When those downspouts become clogged, water overflows, and it can’t be directed effectively. As a result, water might roll down siding and seep into the ground around a home’s foundation, eventually causing erosion and even foundation cracks. To prevent downspout clogs—and all the issues that come with them—make sure to clean your gutters and remove debris and leaves before the winter months.
• Icicle development: Another problem that can be caused by damaged gutters is increased icicle development. When gutters aren’t working effectively, water and ice accumulate in gutters. When temperatures dip below freezing, the overflowing water coming from clogged gutters causes icicles to develop. Icicles add weight to gutters which causes undue strain on gutter systems and leads to gutter sagging and other types of damage.
• Roof leaks: Roof leaks can cause extensive water damage that is difficult to repair. Unfortunately, roof leaks can happen as a result of faulty gutters. When water can’t flow freely through gutters, it increases the likelihood that rook leaks will develop. Investing in gutter maintenance, repair and replacement can extend the lifespan of roofs and keep them in better condition for longer.

How winter weather affects your gutters

If you’re looking for help dealing with winter gutter problems or you’re thinking about replacing your gutters, look no further than L & S Seamless Guttering. We are a premier gutter contractor with decades of experience providing comprehensive gutter services, including gutter repairs and replacement.

Whether you are looking for help addressing some minor gutter problems or you’re interested in getting a quote for a new gutter system, reach out to our team today.

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