Downspout Conductor Head


Downspout Conductor Head

Downspout Conductor Head. Downspouts are an important part of the gutter system equation.

Downspout Conductor Head (also called leader heads, scupper boxes, or rain heads) capture the water runoff from roofs where the volume does not allow a full gutter and funnels it into downspouts that take the water to the ground.  This will collect a large amount of water. The size of the box will allow much more water to pass through than just the regular set up.

Downspout Conductor Heads work similar to the way that placing your finger at the top to of a straw, creating suction. When  you remove your finger it allows the water to slowly flow freely. No more vacuum means water flows freely! No more overflows and no more gurgling sound.

Downspout Conductor Head

Which is somewhat Mediterranean — and with mountain rustic styles and log homes. If you have copper gutters this will complete the look.

 


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Gutters & Guards experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Winter Ladder Safety


Winter Ladder Safety

Winter Ladder Safety. This time of the year, we hope you have already had your gutters cleaned but for those who are still working on it we have a few ladder safety tips to make sure that your experience is safe as possible.

Winter Ladder Safety

  • The most important rule is to NEVER try and do work when it’s wet and slippery.Climbing on ladders can be very dangerous when the weather conditions are rainy, misty or snowy. Get down immediately if high winds, rain, snow or other inclement weather begins. Winds can blow you off the ladder and rain or snow can make both the rungs and the ground slippery.
  • Use ladders with slip-resistant feet and wear clean, dry and slip-resistant shoes when climbing a ladder.
  • When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the rungs to climb – not the side rails. Always keep three points of contact on the ladder whether two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
  • When climbing, keep your hips between the side rails and do not lean too far or overreach. Re-position the ladder closer to the work instead.
  • If you have to use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.
  • A straight or extension ladder should be placed one foot away from the surface it rests against for every four feet of ladder height.
  • When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the rungs to climb – not the side rails. Always keep three points of contact on the ladder whether two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
  • When putting up holiday decorations, always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places. Don’t stand on chairs, desks or other furniture.
  • When climbing, keep your hips between the side rails and do not lean too far or overreach. Re-position the ladder closer to the work instead.
  • Other quick tips to remember: Keep large pets such as dogs inside or on a rope far away from the ladder. Do not use a ladder in the wind. Do not drink before or while climbing the ladder. Avoid using medication that makes you drowsy before climbing on the ladder. Never climb above the third rail from the top of a ladder.

Winter Ladder Safety


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Causes Icicles On Gutters?


What Causes Icicles On Gutters?

What Causes Icicles On Gutters? This is a question that is often asked when you see them on your roof-line. After a big snowstorm, the snow that remains on your roof (because of the temperature and slope) will start to slowly melt and then it refreeze into icicles.

What Causes Icicles On Gutters?

Icicles caused by many different reasons:

  • inadequate insulation
  • house air leakage into from the attic through thermal bypasses
  • improper house ventilation

Icicles influenced by the structure of the house, weather conditions, and the color of your roof.  If you have an older home, it’s important to keep your insulation and ventilation up to date.

Ways to reduce the chances of bad icicles and ice dams is by proper air sealing around your roof-line and attic, high levels of insulation, and adequate ventilation in your home. You can also have a roof rake to rake large amounts of snow off of your roof.

If you already have ice dams and icicles on your roof then there isn’t too much you can do.

DO NOT try and remove the icicles by chipping away at them. It’s a hazard to both your roof and gutters not to mention if they fall the could damage something on the way down. Plus it’s not safe to be chipping on top of a ladder. What you can do to reduce the ice dam on your roof is using a melt sock. To learn more about raking snow and snow melting , we have a post that sets out the pros and cons of each method.

If your roof or gutters are damaged by the stress of snow and icicles, please give a professional (like Gutters & Guards,Inc ) a call and we’ll be happy to help you get your roof and gutters back into working order.


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Gutter s& Guards experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Roof Valley Gutter Solutions


roof valley gutter solutions

roof valley gutter solutions. A very common problem that our customers run into is water overflowing gutters at the bottom of roof valleys. This is not a fault in your gutters. There are ways to control and handle the water-flow that will make your life a lot less messy and wet.

Roof Valley Gutter Solutions

Rain diverters are a easy and common solution to this problem. It controls the flow of rain water and evenly distributes them into your gutters.We bend diverters at our office. Wanting to DIY and need a piece that will match your gutters, we should be able to match it and have you a diverter quickly, some of the more adventurous color might take longer to get but it’s not impossible. Have gutter guards this is not a issue with the guards, again it’s the valley creating a massive amount of water hitting one spot at once. Roof Valley Gutter Solutions

Contact your local gutter specialist and get a professional opinion. ( Gutters & Guards, Inc. offers FREE ESTIMATES ) If you think you might be having one of these problems or are unsure what is causing water to overshoot your gutters, please give a professional a call.


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Gutters & Guards experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Preparing Your Home For The Holiday Season


Preparing Your Home For The Holiday Season is a big task.

With traveling, shopping and more it can make your head spin.  We’re here to help you whip your home into shape so if your expecting visitors you’ll have no worries about being disorganized, at least when your home comes into play.

The first thing we suggest you do it CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS!

This is not only important to prepare for the incoming winter weather but it will prevent ice dams, leaks and slick spots on your walkways. If you know that you have no time to DIY please call a professional to take care of it for you ( such as Gutters & Guards, Inc) that way it will be off your honey to-do list and you’ll not have to worry about gutter problems on those cold winter months.

Preparing Your Home For The Holiday Season

Rake the leaves, if you haven’t already.

This will help your yard look well-kept and when snow begins to fall it will leave less of a mess.

Bring out the welcome mat.

Give your front entrance a cheerful holiday look by adding a festive mat, wreath and lights! To learn more about hanging lights on your home please view our recent post! Make your home seem like a winter wonderland even if there is no snow on the ground.

Slip proof your home.

This means fixing those loose steps, handrails and walkways. We also suggest using a double-sided tape for that slippery rug in the foyer. It might be a good idea to stock up on de-icer as well.

Light the way.

Make sure your outdoor lights are in perfect working order and are on before your guests leave. That way no one is tripping over their own feet.

Preparing Your Home For The Holiday Season

Other little things that you can do when preparing Your Home For The Holiday Season is:

  • Changing the batteries in your CO and Fire alarms
  • Updating your 1st aid kit
  • Check your fire extinguisher and making sure it works.
  • Having jumper cables on stand-by in-case a visitor’s car battery decides to quit.
  • making sure your bathroom is stocked with plenty of hand towels and toilet paper.
  • Adding more hangers to your coat closet and having a place for guest to place their muddy shoes.

Quick Cleaning Tip When Preparing Your Home For The Holiday Season:

Every week tackle a single room or area by applying four key skills to organize your home – eliminate clutter, organize, clean and plan for the holiday decorating touches that will make your home  look amazing. In the early stages of the plan, focus on your personal spaces, which make it easier to plan for the approaching season and give you the organized space you’ll need for decorations, craft gifts, wrapping and more. If you need help on gutter cleaning or other gutter related issues, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fast Facts About Gutters


50 Fast Facts About Gutters and more.

50 Fast Facts About Gutters.Over the past year we’ve shared a weekly fast fact about gutters. Repair suggestions, what to do with clogs, installing gutters and other gutter goodies. We’ve decided to stop at 50 and we’ll be launching a new weekly fact list about gutters soon. So keep your eye out for our new list! Have any questions or concerns, ask up. We’re here to help. To learn more about gutter cleaning or to get an estimate on gutter cleaning by us please contact us! Please share and enjoy all of our previous fast facts on our Good To Know Pinterest Board! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Thanksgiving Home Prep


Thanksgiving Home Prep

It’s the week of Thanksgiving and that can mean a real busy schedule, especially if you are hosting a dinner this Thursday. If you are not hosting and being a visitor this Thanksgiving, you might want to contact your host to see if you can help out by bringing a dish or something. Also plan out your traveling. If you have pets make sure it’s okay that you bring them along or plan to board them.

If you plan on hosting Thanksgiving this year, we have a few tips to help you get through the week.

Thanksgiving Home Prep

Week Of

Plan your menu/cooking schedule. This will help you plan out your morning of Thanksgiving better and allow for you to pick up all that you will need at the supermarket.

We suggest 2-3 days before the day that you shop for perishables. That may include your turkey depending on if you found one before or not.

Day Before

Tidy up the house. Mainly just the rooms that your guests will be in the most. You could recruit some help from your family to make it go a little faster. Make sure you give that bathroom a good scrub down and check your toilet paper levels to assure that you have plenty.

Decorate if you haven’t already. Sweep your entrance way and maybe add some cute crafts or decor to get everyone in the Thanksgiving spirit. Here is a great board from All You Magazine that will help get your home in the spirit. Enjoy and have fun with it!

Set the table. This includes the kids table as well. You can place all the dishes, placecards, flowers and anything else that will be fine sitting out on the table overnight.

Prep your serving dishes. Find all your serving dishing and have them ready to transfer the cooked food into the next day. It may even help to have them in the order you will need them as your follow your cooking schedule.

Thaw out anything that may take some time to unthaw, such as your turkey.

Thanksgiving Home Prep

Day Of

Start with the turkey. It takes the longest to cook thoroughly.

Have sink filled with soapy water so you can wash dishes as you go.

After everyone gets their first plate make sure to cover all the leftovers until you place them in Tupperware to keep in the fridge. This will prevent food-borne illnesses.

Enjoy your company!


For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hanging Lights On Gutters Part 2


hanging lights on gutters

With the holiday season right around the corner, homeowners are already hanging lights on gutters. We already posted a blog about hanging lights on gutter guards which you can still ready up about if you’re looking for ways to just attach them to your gutters, if you don’t have gutter guards on your home and the fascia board is much too low for your tastes.

hanging lights on gutters

We suggest using all-in-one gutter clips. They will hold the lights and firmly attach to your gutters. They’re also light so your gutters will not be strained in any way.

Before you start hanging gutters it’s important to plan.

Choose the style and colors of lights you want to use.  LED lights not only save energy but you can connect up to 25 strains. This could save you a lot of time, money and planning on where to plug in all the extension cords you’d need. With Incandecent lights you can only connect 2-3 strains.

Next you need to choose where you want to place lights. We suggest drawing and outline of your home and marking where you want lights. Popular places to hang lights are:

  • Rooflines/Eaves
  • Bushes/ Trees
  • Pillers/Posts/Railings
  • Window/Door Frames
  • Driveway/Pathways
  • Planters/Window Boxes

Choose 2-3 places and plan if you want to use regular bulbs or icicles. Also if you want to use colored, white or a mixture. Just don’t overdo it. Check your lights to make sure they’re in working order before you hang them. Do not use lights with frayed wires. This is a fire hazard.

hanging lights on gutters

Don’t Over Do It!

Make sure to have a helper to help it go faster and to help you keep it straight.

Ladder safety is also an important part too. To learn more about ladder safety check out our ladder safety post.

After you get all your lights set make sure to use a timer. That way you’re not wasting energy during the day and you don’t need to keep your lights all night.

If you follow these few steps, hanging lights should be a breeze this year. Just make sure to choose a night, dry day. Also make sure your gutters are clean before you start hanging lights. If not this could cause problems and a big mess to clean up.

hanging lights on gutters


 For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fast Fact #50 – Gutter Cleaning With Garden Hose


Gutter Cleaning With Garden Hose

Gutter cleaning is a messy task and it can be time consuming as well, so when gutter cleaning with garden hose might sound like a good idea to clean your gutters fast. It’s a bad idea. It can lead to bigger problems such as downspout or underground downspout clogs. These clogs are a lot hard to unclog and can do some serious damage if you think all the debris is gone. So take the time and clean all of the bigger debris and sludge out of your gutters before you take a garden hose and run some water through your gutters. To learn more about gutter cleaning or to get an estimate on gutter cleaning by us please contact us! This is our last fast fact! Please enjoy all of our previous fast fact on our Good To Know Pinterest Board!

Gutter Cleaning With Garden Hose


 

For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fall Home Maintenance To Do List


Fall Home Maintenance To Do List

Winter is approaching at super speed and your fall home maintenance to do list has slipped through the cracks. View our list and get all of the important tasks taken care of!

Fall Home Maintenance To Do List

  • Check foundation for cracks & caulk around areas where masonry meets the siding where pipes/wires/vents enter the home and around windows/doors. Look for blistering or peeling. This indicates that the existing paint film is failing. No longer protect the siding of the building. If left the siding will deteriorate, leading to expensive repairs.
  • Look at your shingles to see if they are curling or cracking. This indicates that your shingles is at the end of it’s life-cycle. Your roof will be more susceptible to leaks especially when snow is sitting on it for a few days.
  • Clean your gutters! We cannot stress this enough. It is so important to clean out your gutters and downspouts before winter hits to prevent clogs from making a mess of your home. If you are short on time, hire a professional (such as Gutters & Guards) who can take care of it for your before it’s too late and you’re paying more to get home repairs.
  • Weatherstrip your garage to keep cold air from leaking and small animals going in.
  • Inspect your driveway & walkways for cracks. Repair it before winter hits and it only gets worse.

 For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected.

Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information:
Facebook Twitter Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,