You can help to prevent serious damage to both the roof and inside of your home by minimizing the likelihood that an ice dam will develop, and by removing one as soon as you spot it. Ice dams can form when water from melting snow re-freezes at the edge of your roofline. Without roof snow […]
Water backup occurs when the water around the foundation of your home exceeds the capacity of removal systems to drain it. It can occur from surface water seeping into foundation walls or sewer systems overflowing up through drains in the basement. Prevention Steps Maintain gutters and downspouts, keeping them free of debris and leaves and […]
Now with Fall in full swing gutter cleaning season is here again. It is a dreaded task shared by many once they see the leaves beginning to turn colors, but properly functioning gutters, after all, help ensure that storm water does not find its way inside. There are several ways to get the job done. No matter […]
Proper Pitch Gutter installation should follow a couple basic rules. Gutters must be pitched so water will flow to the downspouts. The rule of thumb for this slope is a vertical 1/2 inch for every 10 feet of horizontal run. If the run is more than 35 feet long, some specialists recommend installing the high […]
Shape, Size, Seamless Homeowners will have two main gutter shapes to choose from: half-round and K-style. A smaller K-style gutter will drain the same amount of water as a larger half-round gutter. Half-round (also called U-shape) gutters are typically considered a traditional shape, as this was the original gutter shape dating back to the early […]
When shopping for a gutter system, a homeowner will have to choose among a variety of materials, including aluminum, galvanized steel, vinyl, copper, and wood. Installers price gutter systems per linear foot, but this price should include all the necessary components for a gutter system, including the gutters, downspouts (the vertical section), corner joints, end […]
What if the runoff is off the chart for standard gutters? You have three options: 1. Get 7- or 8-inch gutters. They’ll cost more and probably require a custom order through a professional installer. 2. Increase the pitch of the gutter. The standard is about ¼ inch per 10 feet. Increasing the pitch increases a […]
Leaves and snow are simple, but clearing layers of frozen ice from your fragile gutters is a daunting task. Many home owners and property managers face ice-dammed, snow-capped roofs every season. Here are a few ideas for eliminating the icy conditions.
Leaves and snow are simple, but clearing layers of frozen ice from your fragile gutters is a daunting task. Many home owners and property managers face ice-dammed, snow-capped roofs every season. Here are a few ideas for eliminating the icy conditions. Start every winter season with completely cleared gutters. Ice is less likely to build […]
This photo shows the interior of a second floor bedroom where a downspout is completely frozen and the roof is holding a significant amount of snow and ice.