Seamless Rain Gutters

Seamless rain gutters have been around for over 40 years. By feeding a coil of pre-finished material into a forming machine, we are able fabricate the desired shape and length of gutter required. Each section is seamless, and has the obvious advantage of being virtually leak proof and extremely sturdy. Installed with inside hidden hangers and stainless steel screws, there are no unsightly nails to diminish the beauty of your home, and more importantly, screws will not pull loose like the nails used years ago.

Aluminium is the most frequently used metal for seamless gutters, is available in a wide range of colors, and considered to be the best value for your dollar. Typical K style gutters are most frequently used because of its ability to hold and flow a large amount of water to the downspouts. Seamless aluminium gutters are pre-finished with baked on enamel that provides superior protection from the elements. And aluminium will not degraded or deteriorate for many hundreds of years, so a lifetime material warranty is provided when new aluminium gutters are installed on your home. Other materials are occasionally used, such as copper or galvanized steel, but aluminium is by far the most common, and is used by home builders to meet local standards.

A commonly asked question regarding gutters concerns their size. In most areas of the country 5 inch gutters are the norm. So the question is would 6 inch gutters be better? And the answer is no. Just think about adding another inch of gutter coming off the roof. Very simply it would just provide more area for rain to fall into the gutter. If it seems as if the water is filling up the gutter, the most likely culprit would be the downspout. After making sure that the downspout isn’t clogged up, you might consider using a bigger one. After all that is where the water must eventually discharged. A gutter professional can easily assess your needs in this regard. We at Alexandra Enterprises “Everything Gutter” are committed to solving your gutter issues in the most practical and expeditious manner. We assess your needs and have your best interest in mind. Contact us for a free estimate and visit the website at www.everythinggutter.com.

What should you look for in a gutter guard system?

Unlike some manufacturers of gutter guards would have you believe, gutter guard technology is far from rocket science. Consider what it is you are trying to accomplish……keeping leaves from clogging the rain gutter so that the water collected in the gutter can flow freely to the downspouts. If the gutter gets clogged, thereby forming a dam of sorts, water will overflow. It will overflow the front of the gutter resulting in pooling around the base of the house which can cause costly damage to the crawlspace area or basement. The water build up in the gutter will also seep over the back of the gutter where it attaches to the fascia board and cause rotting of that wood. So what’s the best and most economical way to prevent all of this? What should you look for in choosing a guard?

Well first off be sure that the guard is made of a sturdy material. Inexpensive plastic guards that are readily available at home improvement stores may hold up for a year, but after wet leaves, or snow put a heavy weight on them they will simply collapse into the gutter and give leaves a place to stick inside the gutter, actually causing more harm than good.

Secondly choose a guard with a screen that is small enough to keep large debris out of the gutter.

Then be sure that the guard is constructed in such a way as to allow air to flow under the accumulated leaves in order to allow the wind to blow the leaves off, and also to help dry them out when they are wet.

Avoid guards that go under your roof shingles and attach to the roof itself. This could cause problems in regard to your roof warranty.

Be sure that the guards will not allow a waterfall effect during periods of heavy rain. Some guards will allow runoff from the roof to overshoot the gutter completely, in which case you may as well not even have gutters.

And finally be sure that there is no large gap to allow leaves to blow into the gutter because once those leaves get in there, it is nearly impossible to clean them out properly. Also, birds and bees find these openings lead them to a nice sheltered environment to build nests and hives. And very often this type of guard is the most expensive.

So with all that being said take a look at the website www.everythinggutter.com and see what Shur Flo has to offer. Guaranteed not to clog, economical and sturdy, once installed you can forget you even have gutters. And a lifetime of gutter related issues is a thing of the past.

Have You Thought About A Rain Barrel?

There are many uses for rainwater captured and stored in a rain barrels. Most commonly it is used for watering landscapes and gardens, but there are other uses as well for inside the house, but it must be filtered if used for drinking. No filtration is required for watering plants, gardens, etc. One of the most obvious advantages to using rainwater is that it saves money. Using this free source of water will certainly reduce your water bill. Using rainwater from rain barrels for watering your landscaping will help to improve the health of your gardens, lawns, and trees since rain is a naturally soft water and contains no minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. With the rising price of municipal water and drought restrictions during the summer months, more homeowners in are turning to rainwater to save money and conserve this precious natural resource.

If you have an asphalt shingle roof and are concerned about using water collected from it, you need not be. Before you had a rain barrel, rain water from a downspout was pouring out onto your lawn, and vegetables were fine. You’re going to take the water and pour it in the dirt, which will serve as a filter, and then the vegetables will certainly be rinsed once in the kitchen before cooking or eating. So there should be no concern in that regard.

Rain barrels pay for themselves over time. Look at the water flowing out of your downspouts the next time it’s raining and consider that it could be a free resource for you, and reduce your water bill considerably. Just having a 50 gallon rain barrel or a linked series of rain barrels can allow you to leave that hose on the reel for a while. Even if you have a well, the use of the soft water from the barrel is a better source for the hydration of your plants, and reduces the chance of the well running dry during drought conditions.

Visit us at www.everythinggutter.com for more information. Professional installation is also available.

How About Those Downspouts?

Picture if you will, brand new shiny seamless gutters on your house. Picture them clean and free of any leaves, pine cones, pine needles, those annoying little helicopter things, and just general debris. Nice huh? Well, not so fast there. All that runoff from the roof will flow very nicely into the gutter and toward the downspout. But what if the downspout itself is clogged up with debris? Where will all that water go? Nowhere, it will just fill up the gutter and overflow both the front and back, which will cause extensive and expensive problems. Erosion of the soil underneath the gutters, and possible damage to the fascia board behind the gutters is sure to happen. Not to mention foundation, interior walls, window, and basement problems. So let’s not forget to keep an eye on the downspout and make sure that water is flowing freely out of them and away from the foundation. It is not well known but true that leaves will turn into dirt like compost, and if they get stuck in the downspout it is obvious that water will not flow freely and eventually back up into and over those nice shiny, clean gutters. So the message here is to be aware of the downspouts. If you are having a gutter guard installed, make sure that the downspouts are cleaned along with the gutters before installing the guards. Once those things are completed you should have a lifetime of worry-free performance with your gutters and downspouts. A trained gutter professional can easily assess the condition of all gutter components, and often times a simple gutter tune up will leave your gutters functionally like new.
Everything Gutter can provide the experienced professional and certified installers to evaluate your gutter system. There are many homeowner issues with which to contend, but your gutters need not be one of them. “Everything Gutter” guarantees all its work for life, so you’ll never have to worry about gutters again. See us on line at http://everythinggutter.com.

How Important are Gutters

Seamless gutters serve an important part in protecting your home. Although many people do not see them as a protection device, that is precisely what they are. Gutters protect your home from water damage and wood rot by diverting rain water into troughs and downspouts which carry the water away from your house.

Without gutters, heavy rain can run off of roofs and seep into the foundation and cause erosion and permanent damage to the structure of your home. Gutters prevent this from happening.

There are many types of gutter systems today. Most come in a variety of styles and colors so that homeowners can choose what works best and looks best for their home. Today gutters are made of several different types of material. The three most common are aluminum, PVC, and copper. PVC is by far the most inexpensive and come in variety of colors. These are also the easiest to work with because they can easily fit on any home. Aluminum is perhaps the most common. They cost more, but they last longer and they can also be painted. That means if you ever wanted to change the color of your home, you can paint your gutters to match. Copper gutters conduct heat well which helps with ice build up in very winter months. These gutters are very impressive, but have an impressive price tag to go along with them.

No matter what type of gutters one may choose, their purpose is the same. But, as with every other features of your home, gutters have to be maintained. In order for a gutter system to function properly, they must be kept free of build up of dirt and debris. Over time, gutters can become blocked by leaves, pine straw, and other debris which over time can compromise their ability to divert damaging water form your home.

However, there are also different types of gutter systems that keep maintenance at a minimum. Gutter Guards keep leaves, and other debris form entering the gutter. When it rains, the rain is filtered threw the gutter guard then down into the gutter and is carried away from your home. With this type gutter system, you do not have to worry about build up and blockage.

Gutters are important. They serve a vital purpose in the protection of your home. If you are looking to replace or install recommended seamless gutters on your home, find a reputable company that will help you decide what type and style will work best for you. My short bio

Do you Need Gutters

Seamless gutters serve an important part in protecting your home. Although many people do not see them as a protection device, that is precisely what they are. Gutters protect your home from water damage and wood rot by diverting rain water into troughs and downspouts which carry the water away from your house.

Without gutters, heavy rain can run off of roofs and seep into the foundation and cause erosion and permanent damage to the structure of your home. Gutters prevent this from happening.

There are many types of gutter systems today. Most come in a variety of styles and colors so that homeowners can choose what works best and looks best for their home. Today gutters are made of several different types of material. The three most common are aluminum, PVC, and copper. PVC is by far the most inexpensive and come in variety of colors. These are also the easiest to work with because they can easily fit on any home. Aluminum is perhaps the most common. They cost more, but they last longer and they can also be painted. That means if you ever wanted to change the color of your home, you can paint your gutters to match. Copper gutters conduct heat well which helps with ice build up in very winter months. These gutters are very impressive, but have an impressive price tag to go along with them.

No matter what type of gutters one may choose, their purpose is the same. But, as with every other features of your home, gutters have to be maintained. In order for a gutter system to function properly, they must be kept free of build up of dirt and debris. Over time, gutters can become blocked by leaves, pine straw, and other debris which over time can compromise their ability to divert damaging water form your home.

However, there are also different types of gutter systems that keep maintenance at a minimum. Gutter Guards keep leaves, and other debris form entering the gutter. When it rains, the rain is filtered threw the gutter guard then down into the gutter and is carried away from your home. With this type gutter system, you do not have to worry about build up and blockage.

Gutters are important. They serve a vital purpose in the protection of your home. If you are looking to replace or install recommended seamless gutters on your home, find a reputable company that will help you decide what type and style will work best for you.

How to Fix a Loose or Sagging Gutter

How to Fix a Loose or Sagging Gutter

If a gutter sags too much, it looks unsightly, and if the sag is in the wrong direction, water collects, giving mosquitoes a breeding ground and creating leaks. It's standard to pitch gutters 1/16 inch per foot (2 mm per 30 cm) toward the nearest downspout, but even a level gutter will drain. Assuming that the spikes, brackets or hangers are installed correctly, most commonly a gutter sags due to ice and snow damage or because a ladder has bent or dislodged its supports.


Instructions

If the gutter is supported by spikes (see A)

1. Straighten a bent spike by pushing up on the gutter at that location with a pry bar (you'll likely need a ladder to reach it); or remove a nailed gutter spike for replacement by locking the head of the spike firmly in a pair of locking pliers, then tapping the side of the jaws with a hammer to pull the spike out.

2. Replace a spike that has fallen out or been removed with a threaded gutter spike. For a tighter fit, press a few wood slivers coated with exterior adhesive or epoxy into the nail hole first, this is for the do it your self. Although It is highly recommended that gutter with these types of hanging systems be rehung with reinforced inside hidden hangers with screw.

If the gutter is supported by hangers or brackets

1. Remove the gutter by unclipping the brackets and disconnecting it from the downspout(s). This is definitely a job for two or more people.

2. Replace the damaged bracket. Fill the old screw holes with caulk or exterior putty and let dry. Install the new bracket at approximately the same height and position as the old one. Repeat as needed for other brackets and tighten any loose screws before reinstalling the gutter.

If the gutter is supported by hangers or straps (see C)

1. If the strap is bent down, press down on it about 1 inch (2.5 cm) up the roof from the edge of the shingle it lies under, or from the surface to which it's nailed. Then pull up just below the point of the bend.

2. If the bracket has pulled out of the roof or needs replacing, and the roofing is asphalt shingles, disconnect the bracket from the gutter and carefully pry up the shingle to remove the nails (or screws), or drive new fasteners through the strap into the roof recommend screws.

If the gutter is supported by concealed brackets

1. Remove the mounting screw to replace a damaged bracket.

My short bio

Fixing Damaged Gutters

Rain gutters aren't very exciting. You probably never even notice yours until something goes wrong with them. And then it's the wrong kind of excitement.

Gutters and downspouts collect and carry away rainwater that would otherwise run off the roof, splash down and erode the soil and stain the siding. More important, gutters and downspouts form the first line of defense against a wet basement or crawl space: If you let water collect along the foundation, hydrostatic pressure will build, and water will eventually find its way inside the house. It's equally important to keep the ground around a hillside home dry.

For these reasons it's important that your gutters are in proper working order. Here, we'll show you how to patch a hole, seal a leaky corner joint and secure a gutter that's pulled away from the house. Fix these problems as soon as they occur and your gutters will work more effectively and last many years longer.

Patching a hole

Gutters develop holes in a number of ways. Rust eats through steel gutters, and copper and aluminum versions are easily punctured by falling branches or sharp tools. Occasionally, you'll find a hole that someone drilled through a gutter in an attempt to drain standing water. (If a gutter isn't draining properly, it's either not sloping toward the downspout or it's sagging and needs to be raised.)

You have to patch any hole right away so it doesn't grow larger. Buy a tube of gutter seal ($1.40) found at any local hardware store or contact us for a free quote. It's important that the seal is used. If you don't you could encourage electrolytic corrosion—a process that slowly etches away one metal in favor of the other.

First, clean all debris from the gutter with a wide putty knife or plastic gutter scoop ($4). Wearing leather work gloves, scrub the area clean with a stiff-bristle wire brush. If there's any rust around the hole, cut it out with aviation snips. Then run the seal down any open seams.

Fixing leaky joints

Over time, the joints between lengths of gutter can fail. And even seamless gutters aren't immune to drips. They have seams where the gutters connect to preformed corners and to downspout outlets. Whether it's a corner or straight joint, the repair is pretty much the same.

Curing sagging gutters

Most gutters are held in place with large spikes that pass through tubular sleeves, called ferrules. When a spike pulls free, a gutter can sag and, in some cases, come crashing down.

To repair a sagging gutter, you have to replace the spike with something that won't withdraw easily, witch is the hang fast reinforced hidden hangers that gets screwed in contact us to have this performed.