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Gutter cleaning is an unwelcome chore for many reasons. Working at unfamiliar heights, taking precautionary measures, and in many cases, its an entire day of hard work. No wonder no one wants to do it. Since it is usually not done very frequently, homeowners fall victim to simple mistakes due to carelessness and inexperience. This often leads to injury or expensive damage to the home. We want to bring attention to these hazards and encourage you to install the GutterShutter system before any harm happens. Here are some issues to be aware of if you decide to tackle gutter cleaning yourself:

Improper Ladder Safety

Improper use of ladders is one of the most frequent causes of home emergencies. More than 164,000 people a year need hospital treatment from ladder-related injuries, according to the World Health Organization. They are necessary to clean out gutters but using the wrong type, a damaged or worn out ladder, or insecure positioning all contribute to the high rate of falls.

Working Alone

Homeowners often want to take care of chores as quickly as possible, choosing to forgo waiting for help. The task of clearing your gutter may not seem like a two-person job, but you’ll likely find yourself needing a second pair of hands. There should always be another person present to hold the ladder, hand-off tools and call 911 if needed.

Inflicting Damage

Gutter cleaning should be done 2-3 times a year, meaning it’s not done often enough to develop real skill, but too often if you value your time. With inexperience, comes a higher risk of a misstep. That means damages to the house’s siding, broken windows, accidental ripping of gutters, or harm to the roof shingles. Additionally, there is an electrocution risk while positioned near electrical wiring.

Contact with Insects and Mold

Gutters are a breeding ground for pests and fungus. It’s highly probable you’ll encounter upset creatures, including the wasps and bees that nest in corners and crevices. There is also the presence of harmful bacteria and mold spores that grow in the decaying, wet leaves you are clearing out.

Practicing proper home safety requires eliminating hazardous tasks and should be a primary concern for attentive owners. To prevent these novice mistakes and to easily maintain a great appearance year-round, find a dealer to install GutterShutter today.

The post Common Dangers From Cleaning Gutters appeared first on GutterShutter.

When you have a good gutter system on your home, you can do more than simply move the rain away from your home. You can use your gutter system to collect rainwater and have usable water for a variety of activities around the home. When water is in high demand, you can harvest this natural resource using your gutters.

Set Up Near Where Water Is Needed

Your first step is to decide where you are going to use water, and set up a collection barrel near this area. If you want to use collected rainwater to irrigate your garden, the collection barrel should be in the downspout closest to your garden. Consider what type of barrel you want to use, and choose one that is the right size for the amount of water you want. While whiskey barrels are great, so are plastic trash containers and other types of collection devices.

Know How Much Water is Coming

When it comes to collecting rainwater, you have to be prepared for any overflow. You will want to know the square area of your roof to be able to determine how much water you can expect. For every 100 square feet of space, you can expect 60 gallons of water for every inch of rain. When your barrel begins to overflow, you will need to make sure water flows away to protect your home.

How to Use Collected Rainwater

Once you collect your rainwater, it can be used in a number of ways. The water you have collected has not been properly treated and you or your pets should not drink it. In addition, any water collected should be used within a week or two to avoid algae growth. You can use it to irrigate your lawn or garden, but be sure to wash any vegetables you have grown before you eat them. You can use the water to wash clothes, water indoor plants, and cleaning your home.

As Winter Approaches

With freezing weather coming, you aren’t going to be able to collect rainwater. Remove the barrel over the winter months, and reattach the rest of the downspout on your gutter system. Clean out your water barrel so that it is ready for the next season. Make sure that any water that flows over the next few months will be guided away from your home.

Contact Weatherguard Gutters for Gutter Maintenance Services Today!

At Weatherguard Gutters, we are ready to help you keep your gutter system working great. If you want to figure out how to collect rainwater this season but aren’t sure what to do, contact us today. We have been helping homeowners in Vancouver and the surrounding area for more than 25 years better manage the gutter system on their home and we are happy to provide you with a free estimate.

The post Using Your Gutters for Rainwater Collection appeared first on nfl.

When it comes to outdoor maintenance, you might devote the vast majority of your time and attention to your landscaping. But your commercial hardscaping is just as crucial.

After all, your property’s curb appeal depends on the condition of your driveways and pathways. Unfortunately, layers of dirt and grime often cling tightly to such hardscapes.

Likewise, once tire marks, oil stains, and grease stains show up, they stay for the long haul. In places that get plenty of shade and moisture, you’re likely to find mold and mildew. Mold can even feed on dirt! And all of these items can bring down your property value.

Hardscapes look especially worn and soiled in the spring. That’s because, during the long winter, salt stains proliferate, and dirty snow leaves filth behind. Plus, water that freezes can create cracks in concrete, and weeds can quickly fill those spaces when temperatures rise.

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

Spring is one of the best times of the year, but it can also be one of the busiest – especially for homeowners. While you might be wishing you could spend these first few weeks of warmer temperatures and sunshine relaxing, it’s more realistic that your time outdoors is being spent on home tasks.

If you haven’t done much around your home since this time last year, you may need a refresher on what chores you’ll need to complete to get your home in shape. Here is a list to get you started:

On Your Home. These maintenance tasks are important for keeping the structure of your home in good shape over time.

• Assess winter damage and call professionals when needed.
• Clean away and mildew, mold or other biological build-up from your roofing, siding and walkways.
• Inspect your windows for leaks and drafts, and check the screens for wear and tear.
• Clear your gutters of debris to prepare for April showers.

Around the yard. If you have garden beds and trees, they will likely need some work for new growth season.

• Weeding.
• Trim back overgrown bushes and trees, especially those close to your house or vehicles.
• Aerate and seed.
• If you’re planning new garden beds, now is also the time to plan, plant and mulch.

Miscellaneous tasks. Of course, your home checklist depends on what you have at home. For example, if you have water features that you emptied before winter, you may need to clean and fill those. If you have a deck, you may need to clean and coat it.

Thankfully, you can spend more time outside having fun with solutions to cross some of these tasks out year-round. Homeowners with the GutterShutter system never have to climb a ladder and spend hours clearing their gutters. Make this the year you say “no” to gutter cleaning and yes to the confidence and safety of the GutterShutter system. Contact your nearest dealer today for a FREE estimate.Spring Home Exterior Checklist

The post Spring Home Exterior Checklist appeared first on GutterShutter.

Climate change is causing an impact on our environment in a variety of ways. The water cycle is impacted, and this means more fluctuations between significant droughts and times of heavy rain. Average temperature rates are climbing, and this is causing changes to weather patterns. With the water vapor concentrations and flow patterns affected, this is causing downpours that are fast and furious.

Changes in Weather Patterns Means Worsening Storms

As climate change continues, extremes in weather are only expected to get worse. This results in storms that cause heavy saturation, flooding, and damage to your property. When your home has gutters, they may not be large enough to handle a downpour. It may be time to consider updated your gutters so that your home is protected from heavy rains causing your current gutters to overflow.

Gutter Maintenance and Heavy Storms

When a heavy storm brings tons of rain to your area, clogged gutters are going to be a problem. When the rain is heavy enough, this can cause damage to your gutters and lead to a mess of water in your basement. If your gutters are clogged, it’s time to have your gutters cleaned before the next storm. You should have your gutters cleaned twice a year to avoid damage to your property.

Watch for Gutter Functionality

During a heavy downpour is the best time to see how well your gutters are working. As the rain is pouring down, it becomes possible to see where your gutters are leaking and if you have water flowing over the sides. Your downspout might be clogged, or your gutters could be at the wrong angle to move water from your roof and away from your home. Look for areas where water has gone over the side of your gutters and caused damage to your landscaping or home. It is easy to spot problem areas once you know what to look for.

As climate change progresses, it becomes even more important to pay attention to precipitation rates and heavy storms. Protect your home with a gutter system that is the right size. Understand that gutters play an integral role in protecting your home, and have your gutters maintained whenever you see a problem.

Contact Weatherguard Gutters Today

When your basement floods or your bushes are getting destroyed because rain is pouring over the top of your gutters, it’s time to get the help your property deserves. When you need gutter maintenance or installation in metro Vancouver and the surrounding area, it’s time to contact Weatherguard Gutters. We have providing homes with protection and enhancement for more than 30 years.

The post Climate Change and Problems with Your Gutters appeared first on nfl.

Formula: Area (Length x Width) x Rainfall

You can easily calculate the amount of water captured by a rainwater irrigation system. You must know the approximate dimensions of the water collection surface, most commonly a roof. A typical roof area can provide surprising amounts of water. For example, one inch of rainfall on a roof that is 20 feet by 20 feet can provide 220 gallons of rainwater.

The list below sets out the formula for calculating rainwater harvests.

A = Length of the roof area

B = Width of the roof area

C= The amount of rainfall in inches

The formula is A x B x C = Water Volume

There are a couple important notes to add here:

Firstly, rainfall is measured over a period of time (day, month, year, etc). If calculating volume for water harvesting purposes, the more data the better – we’d recommend using local weather bureau average rainfall by season as a starting point.

Secondly, many modern rain gauge measurements will be in mm, measuring volume per square meter (1mm = one liter per square meter), while others will be recorded in inches / gallons (1 inch = 1 gallon per square foot) Be sure to check and convert accordingly.

The post How to Calculate Rainwater Volume for Water Harvesting appeared first on Rain Gutter Pros Inc.

Gutters can receive a lot of damage during the winter months. When the weather begins to warm up is the perfect time to take necessary steps to ensuring the quality of your home’s gutters. There are some steps that can be taken to make sure that your gutters are fully ready for the spring season.

1. Clean Debris

The first way to prepare your gutters for spring is to thoroughly clean them. Getting rid of the debris in your gutter is the first step. Debris in the gutters can cause many long-term problems and cleaning out the debris when changing seasons is a good way to prevent more serious problems that may occur. Once the debris is removed then you can begin washing, cleaning, and inspecting the rest of the gutters.

2. Check Roof and Gutters for Damage

Once all the debris has been cleaned and the gutters are easier to look at take some time to check the condition of your gutters. Look and make sure that there are no cracks, leaks, or any other kind of damage that may need to get repaired. If you come across any major damage hire a professional to get your gutters back in tip top shape. While inspecting your gutters also take the time to check your roof for damage. If you’re not sure what you are looking for or how to check for damage call a professional to do an inspection for you.

3. Install a Gutter Guard

The end of the winter and beginning of spring is a great time to get your gutters ready for the seasons that are to come. Gutter guards are helpful when it comes to maintenance. They cut down on the amount of work that needs to be done and also helps to protect your gutters from damage. Gutter guards do a good job of keeping debris out of the gutters and reducing the wear and tear that all gutters experience.

Preparing your gutters for spring is a good way to take care of any damage the winter left on your gutters and ensure that your home is ready to take on the next season. Simple steps can be done to ensure your gutters are healthy. Companies such as The Gutter Pros have hired and trained professionals that can help with any gutter damage, gutter guard installation, or inspection that your home may be needing.

Give the Gutter Pros a call today at 443-880- 4831.  

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

Living in Tacoma, Wash., you probably know the importance of having rain gutters—we’d even venture the assumption that you have a system installed on your home. Even with the best gutter system, as a home owner, you still have to deal with maintenance and regularly cleaning debris out from them.

Wind and rain can carry a bunch of junk, such as leaves, twigs, nuts (such as acorns or pine cones), and dirt, into your rain gutters, which causes them to clog. Blocked gutters no longer work the way they’re intended; in fact, they can become pointless. If gutters are clogged, then rain water can overflow, drip down your walls, pool around and crack your foundation, damage your landscape, and lead to pest infestation.

There are two ways to avoid these types of problems:

1. Clean out your rain gutters several times a year
2. Install a gutter guard to protect your system from debris and junk

What are Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards filter out debris so that only water passes through the system. Theoretically, it saves you time and energy from having to clean out your gutters after every storm. (Other maintenance may still be required throughout the year.)

Types of Gutter Guards

There are many different kinds of gutter protection systems available; all of them are intended to let the water drain into the rain gutter while keeping the debris out.

Screen Gutter Guards

A gutter screen prevents the majority of debris from getting into your gutter system. Fine or very small bits can still pass through the screen and get into your gutters. Because of this, occasional cleaning may still be required, but far more infrequently than if you had no gutter guards. Screens are usually made of metal or plastic and are typically the most affordable gutter guard option. They’re also easy to install. If you choose a screen guard as your protection, opt for plastic instead of metal, because metal can rust and stain your home’s exterior.

Bottle Brush Gutter Guards

Bottle brush gutter guards look like wire cleaning brushes and will filter out large debris. They’re very easy to install—you simply need to place them inside your gutters. Rain water slips between the bristles, but larger materials, like leaves or pinecones, get caught. This type of gutter guard requires yearly maintenance, but cleaning is simple. When it comes time, all you have to do is remove them from your gutters, shake them off, and pull out anything that may be stuck in the bristles.

Mesh Gutter Guards

Mesh gutter guards are made of metal sheets with tiny holes. These are similar to screen gutter guards, but have smaller openings, so they keep out more debris. These guard systems are versatile in that they can be installed on many types of gutters and roofs. They are also durable and not likely to deteriorate or rust. The downside to mesh guards is that debris can pile up on top of them causing rain to deflect and not make it through the gutter system.

Foam Gutter Guards

Foam gutter guards fit inside your gutters to block debris from entering the system. The fine pores of the foam only allow water to penetrate. This option is also easy to install; you simply insert the pre-cut, size-specific pieces inside your gutters. Foam gutter guards are made of polyether or polyurethane foam, and while they are relatively inexpensive, they do not last long and need to be replaced every two years.

Reverse Curve Gutter Guards

Reverse curve gutter guards have a curved nose that extends past the edge of the gutter, then curves in towards the system to enables rainwater to flow naturally into the gutters because of surface tension. The opening between a curved guard and gutter is less than half an inch, so only rain flows through, and any other debris falls to the ground or blows away without clogging your gutters. This type of guard should be chosen to match your roofing, since it lies along the roof and is visible at ground level.

The experienced and professional team at Tacoma Gutter Service can help you choose the right option for your home. We’ll install the gutter guards for you and clean out your gutter system beforehand, so that everything functions properly. Give us a call at (253) 927-7111 or visit us online to schedule your free estimate.

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

Are your home’s gutters looking a little the worse for wear these days? Without periodic cleaning, old gutters can become covered in dirt, debris and black streaks that detract from their original appearance. The good news is, there are a few DIY cleaning solutions you can use to keep your gutters looking their very best.

Use TSP-PF to Your Advantage

Do you have some deck or siding cleaner tucked away in your garage? Check the label and see if you can find the letters “TSP-PF” on it. TSP-PF stands for “trisodium phosphate-phosphate free,” and it means that the cleaner is capable of degreasing and cleaning surfaces without harming the environment. Take one cup of this cleaner and mix it with one quart of Clorox bleach along with three quarts of hot water. Apply it to your gutters with a rag or brush to wipe away dirt and mildew stains.

Try Cream of Tartar

The spice rack in your kitchen might not seem like a logical place to look for gutter cleaner, but cream of tartar can make gutters shine when used properly. Take cream of tartar and mix it with water to create a thick paste. Then, apply that paste to the outside of your gutters and buff it with a rag before letting it sit for a little while. After about 30 minutes, hose your gutters down. They should look a little brighter after being treated with your homemade cleaning paste.

Remove Dirt and Grime With White Vinegar

In addition to cleaning the outside of your gutters with a DIY cleaning solution, you should be sure to clean their interior as well. Scoop out any dirt, leaves, stick, and other debris before pouring a solution of warm water and white vinegar into your gutters. Plug your downspouts to prevent the solution from washing away and allow it to sit in your gutters for about an hour. Then simply drain your gutters once the hour is over and hose them down.

At Bell Seamless Gutters, we can install gutter guards on your existing gutters to prevent them from getting clogged with dirt and debris in the first place. To learn more, feel free to give us a call at our toll-free number or contact us online today!

The post Maintain Your Gutters With These DIY Cleaning Solutions appeared first on Bell Seamless Gutters.

Gutters don’t always look like a big deal, but they are very important in protecting your home. Rainwater causes damage, and too much water near your foundation or running down your home is a problem. Only one inch of rain can cause the need to direct 500 gallons or more of rainwater away from your home. Without gutters, rain will wreak havoc on your home and landscaping.

When You Have a Flood

Without a working gutter system on your home, you will find that your basement floods during heavy storms. Gutters take rainwater away from your roof and directs it away from your property. When water is allowed to run down the side of your house instead, the water pools down and into your basement.

Damage to Your Foundation

Poorly working gutters will cause damage to your foundation. Too much water near your foundation causes cracks because it will dissolve the masonry. If the water near your foundation freezes, this is going to make your foundation crack. Too much water in and around your foundation will cause problems.

Mold Growth In Your Home

When gutters are not keeping moisture and water out of your home, mold and mildew will be able to grow. Both can cause respiratory problems, especially in people who have asthma or a compromised immune system. Your gutters help protect your home from mold and mildew growth throughout the home.

Damage to Your Landscaping

Your gutters help keep your beautiful landscaping intact. When you have invested money on making your property look great, it’s important to keep unwanted water off of your flowers and shrubs. If you’re landscaping is getting damaged from water coming from your gutters, your gutters should be inspected carefully to determine what is wrong.

The gutters on your home bring rainwater from your roof, down the length of your gutters and then out throughout the downspouts. Gutter clogs, gutters pulling away from the side of your house and sagging gutters can all cause problems with the water flow. Water that gets into your basement and causes damage to your landscaping is not necessary. A good gutter system will guide the water away from your home so that your property remains protected.

Contact Weatherguard Gutters Today

If your gutters are no longer protecting your home, it’s time to contact Weatherguard Gutters to see how we can help. We have been providing homeowners quality gutter service in Vancouver and the lower mainland for more than 30 years, and we are ready to provide you with a free estimate today.

The post How Gutters Protect Your Home from Damage appeared first on nfl.