Fix Leaky Gutters
How to Fix Leaky Gutters
Gutters are used to direct rainwater to the appropriate drainage area to avoid any damage to the house or drainage and flooding problems. However, they end up collecting all other debris that ends up falling from the roof including leaves and branches. Most homeowners tend to overlook the maintenance of gutters and over time they may develop leaks at different spots. The accumulation of branches and leaves and also snow in colder climates, is bound to contribute to leaky gutters as their structure becomes weaker over time. For those who like simple do-it-yourself projects to keep their house in the best condition. Below we will look at some useful tips on how to fix leaky gutters.
Before delving into the different ways of how to fix leaky gutters, it is essential to first note that gutters exist in two different variants. There are plastic and metal gutters available today. The fact that they are made of different materials means that they require different repair methods and equipment. Homeowners should begin by inspecting their home’s gutters to find out exactly what they are made of to determine what method to follow.
Fix Leaky Gutters – Metal
In most cases, metal gutters are the norm especially for older structures. The simplest way on how to fix leaky gutters that are made of metal is to scrape the joint and clear any debris and then dry it. Once dry, use a caulking gun to inject roofing and gutter sealant. If the leak persists then, it may require more work to repair your leaky gutter as described below.
Where the leaky gutter is not repaired by a simple application of sealant, it will be necessary to dismantle the entire gutter joint clean off the old and dried up putty and then apply a new sealant. Dismantling gutters may be problematic considering that the spike and ferrules used to hang the gutters may not pull out easily without damaging the gutters. It is then going to be necessary to replace the gutters instead of repairing them.
Fix Leaky Gutters – Plastic
Leaky gutters made of plastic, on the other hand, require less work as compared to metal gutters. Plastic gutters mainly leak around unions or joints that connect to the gutters to lead water downwards. In this case the most common cause of such leaks is the accumulation of dirt that forces the gaskets sealing the union to give way.
To fix leaky gutters made of pvc, press the pipe inwards to release the clips holding the pipe leading water down to the union. Once it releases you can check to see whether cleaning the accumulated dirt will be enough to fix the leak or installation of a new gasket is required. There are also PVC gutters that you can clean the gutter joints, then dry the pvc leaky gutter joint. You fix leaky gutter joints by applying a sealant recommended for pvc gutters. Regular maintenance will prevent leaky gutters.
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Frozen Downspouts
This week’s number one problem has been frozen downspouts. Weather conditions have been perfect for freezing downspouts. Once the route down is frozen, the gutters will drip over and form those pretty icicles you’ve been seeing. I have been seeing the icicles, and frozen downspouts, all over town.
What can you do about this?
Prevention: Downspouts freeze quickly if the water flow is stopped somewhere along the way.
In the recent storm, the heavy wet snow was enough to block water flow at the bottom, if the ends weren’t shoveled clear. Because of the thawing and refreezing this week, downspouts also froze up at the elbows. Prevention involves clearing the ends of the downspouts and also keeping an eye on the elbow joints.
Downspouts collected ice inside, where the downspouts were dented or bent. Long-term prevention involves checking for bends and dings in the downspouts before winter sets in.
Action: On line advice about frozen downspouts varies. Some say just leave it alone. Others recommend taking ice-melt to the gutters (see below.) A few say heat the gutters to clear them. One recommends whacking the gutter (from an upstairs window) with a baseball bat. Yet another recommends running electrical heat tape to prevent melting.
What to look for to prevent a big problem?
The main reason that you don’t want your gutters icing up is two-fold. The worst thing that can happen is for the melting ice to find its way into your house. The second worst thing that can happen is that the ice in the backed-up gutter gets heavy enough to tear the gutter off the house.
Prevention: To prevent water in your house, your roof should be installed with a sheet of rubber under it. This way, if water collects on the edge of the roof, it won’t find its way through the waterproofing. The second prevention measure is to keep your roof cold. This means insulating and ventilating your roof surface. (This is also good for lowering your heating bills.) A warm roof allows snow to melt at the bottom edge, then refreeze overnight. Then, the subsequent melting the next day increases the build-up of ice that will melt the next day, and so on. The more melting water, the more weight and pressure; these are conditions that favor water finding its easiest route down is through the wood behind your gutters. The third preventative measure is to make sure your gutters are draining well before the winter sets in. Most gutters collect leaves and debris that can impede to flow enough to allow freezing, even if the downspouts are clear. Clear and check the flow in your gutters sometime in the fall, after the leaves have fallen and before the cold sets in.
Action: If you see awesome quantities of ice collecting in your gutters and your downspouts are frozen, you may want to take evasive action. The tried and true method is to fill a stocking with ice melt and put it in the gutter. If this is a chronic problem that happens every year, using an ice rake to clear the snow near the bottom of the roof may be an option (depending on how high your roof is.)
The last-ditch and most expensive and inefficient method is to install heat tape to melt the snow and prevent the refreezing.
Frozen Downspouts
Frozen Downspouts was written by : Rona Fischman
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How To Quiet Noisy Gutters
How to Quiet Noisy Gutters
Noisy gutters can drive you insane and you will be asking yourself “do I really need gutters on my home”? A house does not look right with out having rain gutters on it and they serve a purpose to your home. A well maintained roof will keep water out of your home, but if there are no gutters and downspouts on your home the water running off your roof will enter your home thru the basement. So, the answer is yes. You do need gutters on your home. How to quiet noisy gutters is the question you need answered.
If your have noisy gutters from water overflowing, you will need to do a few things to the gutters on a regular basis. If you have had a storm and branches or leaves get into the gutters then, when the rain gathers in the gutters, it will not flow properly out of your seamless gutters. This will cause either a waterfall over the gutters. If you do not want to take the time out to clean out the gutters on a regular basis you will want to place a rain gutter covering over it. This will catch all the leaves and branches and stop them from getting into the gutter itself.
Leaking joints is another reason for dripping gutters. Although this may not cause any noise, it will depend on what is underneath the drip. This may not make your list of how to quiet noisy gutters, but it still will need to be fixed. A small leak over time can cause extensive damage to your home.
Not only would you need to keep the gutter cleaned out but if you want to solve the annoying dripping problem that creates noisy gutters that can last long after it stops raining, you can do a couple of different things to help this. You can place decorative down spout chains on the down spout to give the rain a place to flow instead of the rain water falling for several feet, then hitting the down spout elbow and making the annoying noise. You can also put an insert in the elbow that will quiet noisy gutters.
When you have a noisy gutter you will want to fix the problem quickly because that noise can drive you bananas especially if those noisy gutters are outside your bedroom. Even though gutters are extremely important pieces to the structure of the house, they do not have to be annoying or hard to live with. You can have quiet gutters if you just take the time to install the inserts into your downspouts elbows or put up a decorative down spout chain. This is how to quiet noisy gutters.
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Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and Downspouts A Look of Distinction
A house is not a house without gutters and downspouts. The roof of a structure can be rendered useless without gutters and downspouts. They are what I call the indispensables given their importance. Going beyond its fundamental function, a house cannot aesthetically be acceptable without gutters and downspouts. It just doesn’t feel right if you ask me. I don’t think builders and architects will ever push through a project without these two in the plan. It is downright silly and utterly wrong.
In the same way, I am pretty sure architects are using these two to accentuate the color scheme of the house that they are designing. In fact, I believe most homeowners are trying different ways to highlight their gutters and downspouts. The reason for this is that it gives them a certain taste of distinction. It differentiates and highlights the features of their house. The angles are the most common head turners. It creates a powerful impression of the size and architectural design that is present in the building.
Looking at modern architectural concepts, some downspouts are shaped in line with the shape of the house. Some are even in tune with the color scheme, design concept and roofing structure. Others, well they just like to make it stand out. Gutters and downspouts usually create a powerful illusion that makes the roof discontinuous with the walls. Attractive roofing will not stand out as you need these two together to complement its design.
Given this scenario, the function of the gutters and downspouts now goes beyond collecting water. If it is not properly maintained, the image of the house can be severely damaged. It can destroy interior and exterior walls, ceiling and even the roof. If the downpour is heavy, floor tiles can also be critically damaged. If the gutters and downspouts are clogged, water will flow down like a river from the roof leaving water marks in the painted wall. This is why they cannot and should never malfunction. The danger it creates is just the starting point. If these remained unfixed, the house will look dilapidated and old. Total renovation will be required if this happens. Sometimes even a reconstruction is inevitable. In fact, a lot of houses nowadays just leave leaking gutters and detached downspouts. This should never be the case. These structures should always be fixed and given its due attention. Cost must be secondary at this point given that the ambiance, the feel and the value of the house is directly related to these two.
How can the house be considered a prime estate if the most noticeable part is destroyed? I don’t think anyone will invest on a property that has a leaking roof or with flowing water similar to Niagara Falls. Point of the matter still remains; never miss out on the most distinguishing part of the house, the gutters and downspouts. It is important to constantly look for ways on how maintain these integral parts. It is also very critical to note that gutters and downspout gives a certain flavor to the house. It separates the average from the great ones.
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Gutters Pulling Away From House
Gutters Pulling Away From House
The gutters pulling away from house is one of the most common gutter complaints.The gutter system on your home is what will make sure the water moves off your roof and down to the ground without causing damage. However, your gutters are not immune to problems that will require maintenance.
Before you can look at repairing the problem, you have to figure out what caused the gutters pulling away from the house. Gutters are secured to the roof or faceboard, but when they become weighted down, the gutter hangers are unable to battle the force of gravity, causing the gutters pulling away from house. The additional weight comes from debris and liquid. If you do not clean your gutter systems out, then the leaves, twigs, and other debris will accumulate in the trough. This can cause water to stand and leave you with a leaky roof and gutters pulling away from house. During the winter, the weight comes from snow and ice that is not removed after a large accumulation.
If your gutters are pulling away from house, the best way to repair the situation is to have them completely removed. You will then have the ability to make sure there is not any damage from the gutters pulling away from house, to the fascia and roof. Then, when you have new gutters installed, consider getting gutter guards to prevent debris from building up inside the gutters. Gutter guards are covers that go over the trough, allowing water to go through the gutter system but large debris will fall away. This will prevent the gutters pulling away from house.
Taking care of the gutter system on your home is one of the ways to preserve the life of your home. It also adds resale value to your home, as the curb appeal is increased. Gutters should never pull away from the home. Instead, they should remain flush with the edge of the roof and be clear of any debris and standing water. For more information, visit http://holencikexteriors.com/.
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Synthetic Slate Roofing Unique Choice
What Makes Synthetic Slate Roofing Unique
Not all people know about synthetic slate roofing and they might not even recognize it if they see one. That’s the unique quality of this roofing. One may be fooled into thinking that it’s the traditional slate or natural stone when in reality, it’s just a great looking replica. It is actually a look-alike of the normal slate roofs. Synthetic slate roofing looks like the real item until you carry or touch it as it’s lighter than the natural slate roofing. Many people also prefer synthetic slate roofing due to the insane costs attached to natural slate roofing.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced roofing material, then this can be your best choice. You may think that since it costs less, is lighter and a replica of the real thing, its quality is not that good. Well, this is where most people are wrong. Synthetic slate roofing is in fact a durable cost effective choice to the actual slate made up of authentic stone and it provides the same look.
Synthetic Slate Roofing Costs
Roofs have a great impact on the overall look of a house and some people who are replacing their roof often want to keep its old look. When you are trying to keep the historic look of a home, it is important to keep the roof the same as the previous one. Slate roofing tiles can greatly contribute to the whole architectural detail of a house, but when it is time to change those slate roofing tiles, homeowners are often surprised at how costly such tiles can cost. The roofing costs can put a big dent in your wallet, so it’s best to find many options to pick from. While the composition shingles are a less expensive alternative, it does not provide the same look that slate offers. That is where synthetic slate roofing can help you. It is a beautiful and durable substitute for slate roofing, while coming at a cheaper cost.
Synthetic Slate Roofing Historic Restoration
Should you really go for synthetic slate roofing? You can’t go wrong with this option as it offers the best of both worlds. Aside from installing a durable roofing material that’s certainly lighter, you also get to keep the historic and traditional look of your home at a much reasonable price. In fact, when preserving and restoring historic properties, more and more people are choosing to install synthetic slates and are actually getting positive results. Copper gutters and flashings go with traditional slate and synthetic slate roofing.
If you’d like to have synthetic slate roofing for your home, all you need to do is to look for suppliers in your area. As there are lots of companies offering such tiles, it won’t be difficult to find them. Browse the web and look for synthetic slate suppliers. You’ll definitely find what you are looking for at a reasonable cost.
Synthetic slate roofing can rival the quality and look of ceramic tiles and authentic slate shingles. This synthetic material is visually appealing, weather resistant and long-lasting. It provides nothing, but amazing savings, from the material itself to the installation expenses. This roofing is definitely a perfect option to the real thing. As a whole, synthetic slate roofing is a beneficial and safe investment.
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6″ Rain Gutters
What You Need to Know About 6″ Rain Gutters
The roof is among the most important, but frequently neglected parts of the house. It has the significant component and that’s the 5″ or 6″ rain gutters, which performs different functions, from protecting the house basement to the topsoil and other parts where damages due to the rain are possible.
Rain gutters are mainly composed of 2 main parts – the gutter and the downspout. There are also 2 kinds of rain gutters – seamless and sectional. The latter is pop riveted together if it is aluminum. If the rain gutters are galvanized or copper they can be pop riveted or soldered together. The seamless type features seams for the downspouts and corners. As the seamless type lasts longer and is leak proof, it’s preferred by many people these days. Soldered copper rain gutters will last the longest, but the cost keeps it from being the preferred material. A professional contractor is needed to manufacture the 6” seamless gutter on site.
What is the purpose of 6″ rain gutters?
As its name suggests, a rain gutter is a trough situated at the bottom edge of the roof to gather and control rain water run-off. This way, the foundation of the house is protected from becoming flooded by water. Rain gutters come in various shapes, types and sizes. These include half-round or U shapes and K configurations.
Many residential rain gutters are available in 2 sizes – 5” and 6” and are made of galvanized steel, copper or aluminum. The usual 5” K-style rain gutters come with 2” by 3” downspouts. 6” rain gutters, on the other hand, use a 3” by 4” downspout.
One foot of a 5” inch K-style rain gutter can hold 1.2 gallons of water. For the 6” rain gutters, it can hold 2.0 gallons of water. Seamless aluminum is the most common residential gutter type. Initially only offered in silver, early aluminum rain gutters were painted white and ultimately painted in different colors to match the roof, trim and house siding, making rain gutters not just useful, but also a design feature.
Shopping For 6″ Rain Gutters
The most common materials are copper, aluminum, and galvanized steel. Determine which material suits your home. Steel is more affordable than copper, but it’s not as durable. Copper can be expensive and is used for certain types of houses, it is the most attractive. But regardless of the material you choose, make sure to pick the thickest material that you can afford. Keep in mind that the thicker the gutter material, the more durable and stronger it will be.
When shopping for rain gutters, the size is always an important consideration. Gutters are usually available in 5″ and 6″ sizes. 6″ rain gutters are best for those people with larger roofs as they can hold more water. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of rainstorms, you may consider using 6″ rain gutters.
Another consideration is the type of rain gutter you will get. The most popular type is the K-style, but you can also go for square-shape and half-round ones. Your choice will depend on your home’s design. Copper gutters are left in their natural state. The patina over the years will give your home a look of distinction. If using aluminum or galvanized you will need to pick a color. You may pick a color to match the current color of the roof. The most common choice is to match the color of the trim of your home. Another choice can be to pick an accent color that is different then the trim of your home.
The Purpose Of 6″ Rain Gutters
You 6″ rain gutters will serve 2 purposes. First to protect your home from the damage that can be caused by water. Second rain gutters will give your home a look of class. Pick a color and size that will make you proud of your home.
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Spring Gutter Cleaning
Spring Gutter Cleaning
Spring is just around the corner. Are your gutters ready? The main and primary task of the gutters is to divert the rain away from your home and the foundation. It is important that you do the spring gutter cleaning to prepare for the upcoming rainy season. Experts say that spring gutter cleaning must be done in order to avoid roof damage and costly repairs.
It’s that time of year when a spring gutter cleaning is almost always needed, especially with the new shedding of leaf debris and seeds from spring budding branches. Recent winter storms can also blow branches, pine needles and roofing debris into gutters, causing potential rainwater overflow. Also the winds of February take their toll on your gutter system also. These repairs need to be done to allow for proper drainage.
Spring is coming fast. Meaning there are lots of home projects needing your attention. And one part of your home that is overlooked most often is in the gutters. Spring gutter cleaning is an essential part of keeping your home in a good condition. For busy homeowners, spring gutter cleaning is perhaps taken for granted.
The main issue is, a lot of homeowners delay spring gutter cleaning until there is an issue, or so much debris has gathered in the gutter. Sad to say, taking for granted the gutter or waiting until you notice an issues prior to fixing it will make the situation worse, especially during the spring gutter cleaning season.
If the gutter is clogged it can wreck your home with water drainage. This damage can be to roofing, fascia, and soffit and even start leaking directly into the home. Moreover, water damage could ruin the foundation of the house that can lead to serious problems. You have to avoid this from happening.
Some of the advantages of spring gutter cleaning take account of the following:
· It keeps your home safe from water damage.
· It prevents the birds, termites, mosquitoes from creating their nesting places.
· It keeps the beauty and value of the property.
Spring Gutter Cleaning Guides
- Start through scooping out twigs, loose leaves, pine cones, mud and any debris which can clog up the gutter.
- Pay attention to cleaning out the drain spout in order to release water build up from previous rain.
- Utilize a water hose and then spray your gutter to eliminate stubborn mud and dirt. Make sure to use a hose that is capable to produce lot of force so as push properly debris out of the gutter.
- Dissembling the downspout may be necessary to clear and clean hard to reach corners and eliminate clogs.
Spring gutter cleaning takes account of getting up on your roof where falls from defective ladders can happen. The suggestion of many experts is to get the service of reliable and skilled rain gutter technician in order to avoid injuries and at the same time to make sure that the job is done fast and accurate. A lot of companies offer spring gutter cleaning services and upkeep.
Maintain a schedule of fall and spring gutter cleaning every year. A lot of gutter cleaning companies even have a yearly program wherein homeowners can sign up to have regular gutter cleanings. Some homes may need their gutters cleaned more often. This will keep you and your property safe from clogged gutters and the water damage from clogged gutters.
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Advantages of Installing Gutter Guards
Advantages of Installing Gutter Guards
Advantages of installing gutter guards, here are a few questions to ask yourself. Have you ever experienced a clogged gutter filled with water, mosquitoes, or other insects? Have you ever cleaned your gutter due to leaves and debris blocking the flow of rainwater? Have you ever experienced falling down the roof and hurting yourself while cleaning the gutter just to ensure that you don’t put your family and property in danger due to overflowing water?
If your answer is yes to all of these, then you have a serious problem that can be solved with a very simple solution: GUTTER GUARDS. Most of the homeowners nowadays are trying to cut down on maintenance cost without fully understanding the underlying expense brought about by the damages that simple water and debris accumulation can do to your roof. Do you think it’s not scary? Think again about the advantages of installing gutter guards.
Erratic and extreme weather occurrences have posed a grave threat to human lives and properties. The roof on our house is our first line of defense against these weather conditions and not ensuring that it’s properly taken cared of may not be a wise thing to do. Granting that there may be a small probability from being immediately damaged by simple rain or snow, the constant bombardment of debris, heat, cold and rainwater will definitely take its toll. I’m not only referring to the body of the roof itself, but also the destruction it can bring to the surrounding gutters that serve as pathway to water. This should raise alarm bells in your head to the advantages of installing gutter guards.
Exposing your gutter to the risk of being blocked by debris poses a clear and present danger that cannot be ignored. You cannot allow yourself to be a victim of carelessness and indecisiveness. This is not prudent. The advantage of installing gutter guards is not unreasonable starting at a cost of around $600 for a townhouse. This amount can be the tipping point for you and your family’s safety. As the saying goes, “The benefit outweighs the underlying cost.”
There are numerous types of gutter guards: mesh, wire, vinyl and aluminum. They act as a powerful filter that prevents debris from accumulating in your gutter. Imagine a gutter guard that ensures only water can pass through.
Gutter guards can be installed by Holencik Gutters. Installation has numerous advantages. I have summarized them into five key points.
1. Prevents stagnant water from accumulating that can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, spiders and other disease carrying insects.
2. Greatly reduces fire risk when dry leaves and other fire hazards accumulate in the gutter
3. Ensures regular and smooth flow of rainwater by ensuring that no debris is blocking the pathway
4. Prevents corroding or rusting of your gutter by ensuring that moisture caused by rainwater don’t last
5. Eliminates the necessity of constant cleaning due to the role of gutter guards in ensuring that big debris doesn’t block the path of water.
Given these benefits, the advantages of installing gutter guards are essential. We should not hesitate putting them on your gutter system. Let’s enjoy life and keep your home safe.
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Roofing Hail Damage
Roofing Hail Damage
Hail damage has never been easy to detect, most especially when you have a 2 or 3-story house and do not have immediate access to the roof. Hail damage does not expose your home to immediate water damage. But it can limit your roof’s lifespan. For this reason, you have to detect the damage right away. Waiting too long could mean that the insurance company can deny your claim for the repair. Today’s tendency to change your insurance company every year to the one giving the cheapest rates can cost you in the long run. They can argue the damage happened when they during the other insurance company was insuring the home.
There are actually several ways to detect whether roofing hail damage exists. All you need to do is to continue reading and take note of every detail indicated below. This will serve as your guide to spot hail damage right away.
Detecting Roof Hail Damage in Your House
After a hailstorm occurrence, you might suspect if there has been damage in your roof. Simply walk around the house and check for unusual changes in your roof. Here are some steps you can do:
Look After Mineral Deposits
Take a look at the base of the downspouts. Once the hail hits the roofing shingles, this degrades your shingle while it knocks off its granules. Most of the time, untrained eyes will never see such damage. However, when you have standard asphalt shingles on your home, you can check around these downspouts to conduct an excessive buildup of granules.
Downspout and Gutter Dings
Try inspecting the gutters and downspouts for dings. Thinner gauge metal gutters will immediately cause dents when the marble-sized hail hit them. When the damage has been evident, there is a possibility that roofing hail damage exists.
Leaks Inspection
For some untrained professionals, hail damage has not always been apparent from ground. The roof damage is not always the cause of leaks. Typically, hail damage would go unrevealed until leaking or any serious damage took place. When the damaged shingles degraded, the roof will start leaking. Inspect the interior ceiling right after any heavy rain occurs for water damage.
Hail Damage Inspection to Shingles and Vents
When you got some of the previously mentioned indications, you may inspect your roof shingles and vents. However, you should only do this when you got easy access into the roof as well as if the slopes were not steep. If you don’t feel comfortable and confident enough to get up on the roof, seek the best roofing companies in your area to deal with roofing hail damage.
If you cannot find a local roofing company to come out immediately do not let fear make a rash decision. Wait for a local roofing company to work on your roofing hail damage inspection. Do not let anyone pressure you into making a fast decision. This pressure may come from storm chasers or your insurance adjustor. When there is a large area hit with roofing hail damage adjustors are brought in from other areas. They want to get the claims settled so they can move on. Take your time.
You can check other parts of your house. These can be the gutters, fascia and drip edge which may reveal some damage signs. Inspect your roof shingles and see some circular areas or dimples wherein the shingle mineral has been missing. Hails may produce dents or damage points into the asphalt shingle roof surface. This then results in loss of granules and reduced roof life.
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