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Whether you’re installing rain gutters on a new home or replacing your old gutters with ones that are more attractive and effective, you need to consider what’s best for you and your home before making a final decision. Here, Gutter Helmet shares a guide that discusses important questions to ask before buying new gutters.

How much rain does my area receive?

It’s important to know how much water your gutter system needs to be able to handle. You can determine this by finding out the average rainfall in your area and calculating the square footage of your roof. This will tell you the surface area the gutters will have to drain and, therefore, the volume of water they’ll be subjected to. The more water, the bigger the gutters and downspouts need to be. Gutters are available in widths of five, six and seven inches. Each inch adds to the cost, so do the math carefully.

Should I go with sectional or seamless gutters?

Gutter installation is performed using one of two specific methods. First of all, sectional gutters are put together and mounted in sections. Sectional gutters are inexpensive since you can buy the material and install them yourself. There is a trade-off, however: more sections mean more chances for leakage to occur and more points at which the gutters could break. Seamless gutters, on the other hand, are constructed of one continuous piece of material. This means they’re less likely to leak or break, but keep in mind they do need to be installed by a contractor with a specialized machine.

Which material should I use?

Once you decide which method you’ll be using, you can start looking at materials. Starting with the least expensive, these include plastic, vinyl, galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel and copper. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks. For example, while galvanized steel is cheap and strong, it will eventually rust. Copper, on the other hand, will never rust and is an eye-catching addition to your home’s exterior, but it’s also somewhat more expensive to install. In addition, vinyl won’t work in every environment because it becomes brittle in cold temperatures.

What are the local building codes?

Once you’ve chosen your preferred style and material, it’s important to become familiar with local and state building codes, which are very clear on what’s required for your gutters to pass inspection. Certain historical structures may require copper gutters, for instance. Always check to make sure that the gutters you choose meet all legal requirements.

Request a Free Estimate Today

The best thing you can do for your home is to choose the most durable gutter material you can afford, in the heaviest gauge possible. To learn more about the best gutter systems and Gutter Helmet’s exceptional gutter protection service, give Gutter Helmet a call at (800) 824-3772 or submit our online form.

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While many households throw everything in the trash, those that are more environmentally conscious often sort their waste into three categories: trash, recycling and compost. Recycling and composting are great activities for reclaiming materials that can be transitioned back into the production chain. Most homeowners don’t realize that up to 30% of household waste can be recycled into compost. Compost breaks down into soil that’s full of organic matter and beneficial nutrients which can then be applied to gardens and lawns to help plants better retain moisture, air and nutrients.

What Not to Compost

Despite its benefits, there are certain materials and organic substances that aren’t appropriate for composting, as they either attract pests, break down too slowly or hamper plant growth. As such, avoid adding the following to your compost pile.

• Bread. While it may seem fairly innocuous, bread as well as noodles can attract unwanted pests. 
• Dairy products. While dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese break down readily enough, they’re also a magnet for pests. Plus, they don’t add much nutritional value to the soil. 
• Meat scraps and bones. Not surprisingly, fish, meat, bones and animal fat attract pests, and in the meantime take a very long time to decompose. 
• Colored paper. Due to the vivid ink found in colored and glossy magazine papers,  which often contain heavy metals and other toxic substances, you should avoid putting them in the compost bin. Regular newspaper is fine, though it does break down fairly slowly. 
• Treated wood and sawdust. Both sawdust and treated wood contain chemicals that will make your compost toxic. 
• Diseased plants. Don’t add perennial weeds or diseased plants to your compost pile, because you don’t want them to resprout or spread seeds to areas of your yard where you don’t want them. 
• Pet droppings. While waste from animals like chickens, cows and horses is acceptable for compost, don’t compost droppings from carnivorous pets like cats and dogs because they can contain parasites.

If you’re a gardener, we’ve got good news for you: when you install a gutter shield like Gutter Helmet® on your gutters, there will be more leaves available for you to put in your compost pile because they’ll no longer be clogging up your gutters! We have a proven gutter protection system you can rely on that’s even more effective than systems such as Leaf Relief, Raindrop and Gutter Topper®. To find out more from the best gutter guard installer in your area, give Gutter Helmet a call at (800) 824-3778.

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Copper gutters are becoming a popular choice for homeowners and commercial businesses across the country. They’re historical, they add character, and they provide a long-term solution to stormwater runoff. Many people choose copper gutters for their durability and so they’ll never have to have gutters installed again (with proper maintenance, they can last a hundred years). But many others opt for…

Source

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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