Gutter Helmet - Does Gutter Helmet Work Or Is It All Hype?

For those of us who cringe at the thought of having to clean gutters every year, a product called Gutter Helmet is supposed to eliminate this chore forever. But, does it really work?

I recently had a close friend who had the Gutter Helmet system installed on his home, so I was able to find out a little more about this new concept.

Most everyone understands how important it is to have free-flowing rain gutters on our home. A clogged gutter does no good, other than creating drainage issues and possible roof damage.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has gone as far as saying clogged gutters and downspouts contribute to furthering the spread of the West Nile virus. It makes sense, mosquitoes love standing water.

The Gutter Helmet is designed in a way that it sits under the shingles and then attaches over your existing gutter.

Rainwater comes down the roof and into a 3/8" opening in the gutter Helmet. That may not seem like a very big slot to handle a big storm, but it is said to be good for over 20 inches of rain per hour. If we ever seen that much rain in an hour the gutter would be the least of our problems!

Gutter Helmet is not low cost. Expect prices in the $15-$20 a foot range. This includes installation since Gutter Helmet is not for the do-it-yourselfer. It needs professional installation.

While this cost is more than double the rate for a standard gutter install, the system is guaranteed for life and that even includes a transferable warranty.

Does it really work? Well, from judging what my friend has went through, I'd say it does. Here in the Midwest we have been through several storms and his gutters have been fine.

If gutter cleaning is not for you, I would suggest looking at the Gutter Helmet system as a possible solution.

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The History of Gutter Covers

Man has been inventing and reinventing rain gutter covers since gutters were invented. Initially gutter screens were devised to keep out debris. They started as a flat metal screen and have evolved into plastic screens with square or round openings. Some gutter screens are arched, newer plastic ones have troughs.

What all these screen devices have in common is that they have their openings on the top portion of the device. While they do a pretty good job of keeping out fresh new debris, they all tend to hold the debris. As the debris dries it becomes brittle and is then pulverized by a subsequent rain fall at which time it enters the gutter in significant quantity as to clog the gutter. One has a bowed top with a hinge for lifting the gutter screen to clean the gutter--problem is that the bowed top captures and holds debris such that when it is opened, more debris falls into the gutter further aggravating the situation. Basic screen designs were invented in the early part of the 1900's

In the mid 1900's two basic solid top rain gutter covers were invented. They both use the property of surface adhesion where the water sticks to an imposed curvature in the front of the gutter guard rather than flying off into space. The first one has a curved front where the water is guided downward through a narrow opening between the front gutter lip and the front most part of the gutter cover. It is held in place with a clip approximately the size of a quarter. The problems with the design are two fold:

1. the clips work loose at which point the rain gutter guard collapses into the gutter.
2. sufficient debris can still pass through the limited opening which is approximately 3/8" in width to clog the gutter.

The second design (GH) is similar to the first except the front curved portion is higher than the first one and extends over the top of the front gutter lip such that the path of the water actually goes to the end of the gutter lip and then flows backward and downwards into the gutter.

Forgive me for using the abbreviations for the product names as opposed to their registered trademarks as I do not have permission to use them. G as in GH and GT stands for "gutter" and H stands for "helmet." Below L stands for "leaf" and G as in LG stands for "guard". T as in GT stands for "top" and "per" as one word.

Theoretically the debris is jettisoned off the front edge onto the ground and misses the gutter. In reality, much of the debris sticks to the surface of the gutter cover just as water and the debris clogs the gutter. Since the product is nailed into the roofing, cleaning the gutters can only be done by a trained service crew.

In the mid 90's the basic GH design was adopted by another company which manufactured a product (LG) that was an all-in-one gutter and gutter guard. Its function is much the same as its predecessors.

In the early 90's a group of GH dealers left the company to invent and create a hybrid GT. It's design is very similar to the GH product with one exception--the opening between the lower edge of the gutter cover and the front lip of gutter is closed with a trough that has sieve openings. The idea is to cut down on the debris that passes its predecessors' design. However, it doesn't take an MIT degree to notice that any debris that makes it as far as the trough still has to go into the gutter. It too is often nailed into the roofing requiring a trained service technician to clean clogged gutters.

On the heels of GH in the late 80's another design, known as the Waterloov® Gutter Protector, was invented. It has a flat solid top with a front vertical surface. A rounded (arcuate) surface guides the rainfall from the top downward toward the gutter lip. The bottom of the front of gutter cover has a flange that is installed under the front gutter lip and hard fastened to the gutter with stainless steel screws. You might wonder where the water goes? The answer is that in the front vertical portion of the gutter guard which is approximately 2" in height (approximately the same as the GH and GT there are two rows of louvers. They are arranged so that the water that passes the first row of louvers is caught by the second row of louvers and directed into the gutter.

Because the louvers are limited in size to 3/4" width, nothing longer than 3/4" can ever pass into the gutter as opposed to the full sized leaves that pass into its predecessors which gives Waterloov® a distinct advantage of being literally the first gutter guard gutter cover that never allows gutters to clog.

With the distinct advantages of the Waterloov® Gutter Protector design, one would wonder why anyone would ever select anything else.

Rain Gutters And Downspouts - All You Need To Know

Rain gutters and downspouts are obviously one of the more important aspects on the outside of any home. They help in protecting your foundation from eroding as well as your roof and siding from rotting as well. Not to mention preventing a complete muddy mess that you have to try and avoid walking in. The biggest question about rain gutters is, what do you really need for your particular home? Here is a quick look at some of the basics on choosing a gutter system for your home.

What size of rain gutter do you need?

Because gutters come in different sizes, as well as materials one of the first things you will need to know is what size you need. This will depend on what part of the country you live in. If you live in an area which receives heavy rainfall then you should go with a larger 7" gutter channel. You need the bigger size to handle the heavier amounts of precipitation to prevent them from overflowing. For those living in areas which get little rain then a 5" or 6" gutter will be fine.

What kind of material do you want your gutter made out of?

Your next step is deciding what type of material you would like to have your gutter made of. The most common materials are aluminum and vinyl. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can also choose to have them made from copper, steel or other materials. Obviously, cost will be a consideration when you are looking at copper gutters, but copper will last a lifetime if cared for properly. If you live in an area where you do not have extreme temperature fluctuations then a vinyl gutter system would make for a good choice.

Seamless or not?

Finally, you will need to decide on whether you would like to have a seamless gutter system or one that is in sections. Seamless gutters and downspouts are considered by most experts to be the best choice. It eliminates the "seams" that could eventually lead to leaks and sagging. Keep in mind though; a seamless gutter will still have seams at the corner breaks. Also, seamless will be a more expensive option. All in all though, it is the best route to go.

Installing rain gutters

Finally, whatever gutters and downspouts you decide to install, don't use the old style of putting them up with big spikes and ferrules. This is a very outdated method of installation and will only lead to problems down the road since these spikes expand and contract with the weather and wear out the fascia boards as well. Use gutter hangers and you will eliminate this issue altogether.

Once you have made your choice for the type of guttering you want you can have it installed by any number of contractors for a nominal cost. It is well worth leaving to the pros. Getting up on a ladder and trying to do it yourself is not a great idea, especially if you have ever fallen off a ladder as so many people have. Let a pro do it and you can enjoy the benefits of their work for years to come.

5 Simple Gutter And Downspout Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Gutters Flowing

Regardless of how well you maintain your home's rain gutters and downspouts, problems will always arise at times. The good news is that most all gutter issues can be easily fixed and don't require professional skills. Here is a look at the 5 most common gutter and downspout problems along with tips to fix them.

1. Leaky Rain Gutters

This is perhaps the most common guttering problem that homeowners face each year. What happens is that rain water sits in the gutter channel and seeps through a joint between two sections.

If you do find the cause to be from sagging guttering or standing water you can adjust your gutter and add a couple of extra gutter hangers to fix the problem.

To repair the leak you will need to dry out the two sections and clean the area with a brush or towel.

Next, get a good tube of silicone caulk and caulk the seams on both the inside and outside of the gutter.

If the cause of the leaking is from a hole in your gutter, then you can use a simple patch to repair it.

First, apply some roofing cement to the area where the hole is located. Next, take a sheet metal patch and place over the hole. Then, put roofing cement over the top of the patch.

2. Sagging Gutters

Over the course of time it is easy for some gutters to begin to sag. Check for sagging by inspecting for standing rain water or water marks inside the channel.

If you notice a problem you will need to take a 3-foot level and check your slope angle. Generally, you should have a 1/4 inch slope for every 10 feet of guttering.

If you need to make adjustments you can simply add or adjust your gutter hangers.

3. Loose Downspouts

Another common maintenance issue is with downspouts that break loose or get disconnected from the gutter itself.

This is an easy fix that takes very little time. You need a drill and a couple of sheet metal screws. Push the downspout back together and drill a couple of small holes in the two pieces. Next, screw the sheet metal screws through the pieces.

One important point to remember though; don't use long screws or they will cause debris inside the downspout to clog it up over time.

4. Overflowing Rain Gutters

This problem is caused by a clogged gutter or downspout in most all cases. To fix the problem, you simply need to clean out the area where the clogging is occurring.

In some cases this could be caused by having too small of gutters to handle the rain water. In this case you would need to install rain gutters that are larger.

5. Pooling Water Near Downspouts

To prevent water from pooling around your home and downspout, be sure to make it runoff well into your yard or driveway.

You can use a downspout extension or other flexible tubing to get the job accomplished.

These simple tips should help fix any problems that arise with your rain gutters over the years.

Do Gutter Covers and Gutter Protectors Clog?

All gutter guards clog. But hold on. Whereas all of them clog requiring maintenance, one is easy with which to maintain.

First, the terms gutter covers, gutter guards, gutter protectors, and leaf guards are basically interchangeable. Some companies advertise screens as gutter guards and that's just a misnomer as leaf guards all characteristically all have a solid top surface.

Basically there are six different types of devices:

1. Screens. There are many different types-flat with all types of openings (round, square, louvers...) made of plastic, wire, and metal. Some disguise themselves with steps in the screening and one even has troughs in it.

2. Filters, membranes, and brushes installed on or in existing gutters--they call themselves leaf guards.

3. Flat solid top with rounded front nose--fin type leaf guards. And there's one in which in addition to the fin also has small openings on the top--basically a screen in conjunction with a fin)

4. Flat solid top with rounded front nose and a trough--fin type with trough.

5. Rain dispersal and the flipping type of gutters. One (not yet on the market) that makes a larger than life opening in the gutter for larger than life downspout attachment. The homeowner has to remove downspouts from house to clean--more joy for the homeowner (a gutter full of muck coming down upon him.

6. Flat solid top with rounded front nose and a double row louvered front vertical surface to collect water.

Of approximately 100 different gutter cover/screen/filter products to choose from all but one fit in the first five categories.

For the record, all screens (the first type) clog. To maintain them, one has to ascend a ladder to clean the screen and the gutter beneath the screen because dried debris on top of the screen is often pummeled into the gutter by rain water. This maintenance is often more work than just cleaning the gutters would have been. One screen clamps to the front gutter lip, is made of vinyl, disguises itself with steps and troughs, but basically it's a screen and is nearly impossible to remove without destroying the gutter when if fails.

The second type (filters) is either a filter installed in what is otherwise a solid top surface or some kind of filter or filament or brush installed inside the gutter. Again it doesn't take an MIT graduate to look into the future and see what will happen--debris will gradually accumulate on the filter, filament or brush. Experience shows that after two years at most, this debris solidifies resulting in clogging the gutter. The brush-in-the gutter system recognizes this and suggests removing the brush from the gutter periodically to clean them--can you imagine the fun in that--slop all over the roofing, siding and windows?

There are a dozen or so of the fin type leaf guards (the third type). They are either covers installed on top of gutters or the all-in-one leaf guards to replace existing gutters. Patents have expired and the field has exploded with many variations of this style. The rain water sticks to the rounded surface and flows downward into the gutter. Years of experience shows that in addition to water, sufficient tree debris adheres to the surface in mild-to-heavy debris conditions to clog the gutter.

Maintenance can only be done by ascending a ladder, removing sections of the leaf guard and cleaning the gutter and downspout--not a pleasant task for the homeowner who is often at the mercy of the installing company to render service. Because some of these protectors are nailed into the roofing, the roof is in double jeopardy of developing a leak when they are replaced from being cleaned. In the case of the all-in-one leaf guard, the gutter must be flushed. Larger than life downspouts are used to accommodate this flushing, but it still requires someone to ascend a ladder to do the dirty dangerous job.

To rectify the design deficiency in the fin type, two types of hybrid covers have been developed:

1. A fin type with small openings on the top solid surface--basically a screen in combination with fin. It too is subject to the same problems screens face plus the fin type which eventually clogs the gutter.

2. The fourth type (which in addition to having a fin) contains a trough with sieve openings. It doesn't take an MIT graduate to see that the same amount of debris that flows over the fin will also enter the trough where either the sieve openings in the trough clogs or enough debris passes the sieve openings to clog the gutter. Again, servicing is a big problem.

The fifth category has nothing to do with protecting existing gutters but instead replacing them with a dispersal system which clogs with debris on top and doesn't work in light-to-medium rain fall conditions and replacement gutters that are cleaned by flipping them or using telescopic pressure system to clean gutters--messy and dirty chores for the homeowner.

The third and fourth type of guards are in the right direction but they don't limit the size of the debris that the fin collects. Wouldn't it be nice to limit the size of debris? Wouldn't it be great to have two rows of interspersed louvers that deliver the water into the gutter and limit the size of debris that enters the gutter?

While all leaf guards clog would it not also be great if the gutter inside never clogged even after twenty plus years; and louvers that might clog in heavy debris conditions be visible from the ground and be easily maintained from the ground by using a telescopic pole and brush? And wouldn't it be great if this were not a dirty job but one that could be referred to as "suit and tie" maintenance if it every had to be done? The sixth type of gutter protector is the answer.

In reality, to tell anyone who has to clean his gutters more than twice in the Fall that a guard will never need servicing is like asking him to believe in Santa Claus.

All About Copper Gutters

The need for gutters and downspouts is just a fact of life for nearly any homeowner. Unless you want to get wet coming out your front door or worse yet, get a leaking basement or major home damage, then you'll need rain gutters. One form of gutters that are quite popular are the copper gutters. Here's a look at everything about this type of rain gutter.

Copper gutters are good to have for many reasons including the fact that they will never rust or rot away. They can stand up to whatever Mother Nature throws your way better than any other type of gutter system.

Copper gutters add a distinctive style and flare to your home that is unlike your standard run-of-the-mill gutters. Their style is immediately noticeable and recognizable. It adds a sense of visual appeal that can only be found with copper.

They also add value to your home and require less maintenance than aluminum or other materials.

The one area you will only need to keep an eye on is with oxidation. Copper gutters will oxidize and turn green over time unless you treat them. There are several sealants available that can be applied to keep your copper gutters looking golden and shiny.

On the other hand many people prefer the greenish look, especially in older homes made from stone or stucco. It gives them a stately appeal. You'll see them on homes that grow ivy as well.

Copper gutters are not cheap as you might imagine. Prices run about 75% - 100% more than standard aluminum gutters. The upside is that due to their longevity you will make the money back over time.

Leaving the gutter installation to professionals is advised with copper. It is trickier to handle and you should really know what you are doing in order to avoid costly mistakes.

If you are looking for a beautiful gutter system that will stand up to the elements and last a lifetime, copper gutters may be your best solution.

It goes without saying that rain gutters are an important part of maintaining your home's condition. With that said, rain gutter maintenance is also something you should be mindful of in order to keep them in good condition. Here are some quick tips and things to keep an eye on.

Gutter Cleaning

Obviously, a clogged gutter will do you no good and can even do more damage over the long run. Rain water that gets backed up and overflows can rot out the fascia board as well as seep into your home's foundation. The end result can be water in your basement and further damage.

In most cases it is a good idea to clean out your guttering system at least once a year in the fall. I recommend twice a year, but you can get by in most cases with once unless you have a lot of trees losing leaves over your home.

You can either clean gutters yourself using a garden hose or you can call a company to have it done for you.

Gutter Guards

To help in keeping your rain gutters in great shape you may want to consider adding a gutter guard over them. Guards work we4ll in preventing leaves, sticks and other debris from clogging up your guttering system.

The cost for gutter guards can range from fairly inexpensive to more costly for systems such as the Gutter Helmet.

Other Gutter Maintenance Tips

-Be careful when placing a ladder up against the guttering to get up to the roof. It can easily collapse the sides of some gutters.

-Replace any missing nails that hold the gutter to the roof.

-Be sure to use downspouts and that the water flows out and well away from your home.

Gutter maintenance is not that difficult if you simply spend the time keeping them clean each year. That alone can give you years of trouble free use around your home.

Why Gutter Cleaning is Important

Several thoughts come to mind whenever people hear the phrase gutter cleaning. For example, arduous, mind numbing, an all day chore, and potentially dangerous are some of the more common reactions. Like many things in life, there are no tangible rewards for doing the work involved with cleaning your gutters. However, if you do not clean your gutters at least annually and preferably semi-annually, you run the risk of not only tangible, but also expensive consequences to clogged downspouts.

The purpose of your gutter system is to handle the rain and snow run-off of a large surface area. This large surface area is also known as your roof. A healthy gutter will channel water away from your house forcing the water to drain into a nearby sewer or into the ground several feet away from your house. The entire system keeps the interior of your house dry while keeping your siding, windows, and foundation relatively dry. So what can happen if your gutter does not function as designed?

Water travels with the force of gravity until it meets a barrier that halts that travel. At this point, the water pools together until it is high enough to flow over whatever barrier stopped it in the first place. Initially, water flows down the roof and into your gutter. Next, it flows down the gutter until it reaches the downspout or a wall of debris of leaves and twigs. In the case of an obstruction, water will fill up your gutter until it begins to flow over the sides of the gutter. Now all the water coming off your roof is traveling down the side of your house.

Water is tenacious and unrelenting. It will enter any gap in your siding or crack in your foundation that it comes across. If water enters your house through a gap in your siding it can cause mold growth or structural damage to drywall or wooden studs. The biggest danger in this situation is that you might not even be aware of the problem until it becomes very expensive to fix.

If flowing water enters any cracks in your foundation, it will often flow in and subsequently flow out of the crack taking minuscule pieces of your foundation with it. These cracks can grow over the course of months and years to the point where water enters your basement. Instead of facing the trouble of cleaning your gutters, you now have a leaking foundation which is a problem several magnitudes larger than your original chores.

For the two reasons mentioned above along with a host of other reasons, it is a good investment of time and energy to take care of small chore today before it becomes a huge problem down the road.

All About Used Gutter Machines

Buying a used gutter machine or a seamless gutter machine is a very big investment to be sure, regardless of how big of a business you have. Knowing what to look for and what you need are key to purchasing the right machine that will last for years to come. Here are some things to look for when buying any used gutter machine.

What size of rain gutters do you need?

Do you need a 5 inch or 6 inch gutter machine? It will generally depend on what area of the country you are in and what your market calls for.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect 5 inch gutters and downspouts in the South. In the North, it is usually 6 inch guttering. Finally, in some parts of the country it can be a combination of both.

What kind of material will you be using?

Another important consideration to keep in mind when buying a used gutter machine or seamless gutter machine is what type of material will you be using?

For example, if you will be making copper gutters or steel, you may want to check into a machine with passive rollers and one that has a urethane drive system.

These used gutter machines cost a bit more, but you'll also get more years of use out of them.

Costs

Used gutter machines prices will vary somewhat, but most manufacturers are close in costs. Generally, a 5 inch gutter machine will run about $5,500. A 6 inch will cost around $6,000.

Naturally, you can find higher end machines at $15,000 - $20,000. Seamless gutter machines can go for $40,000 and up.

Gutter Cleaning - Rope Access As a Gutter Cleaning Solution For Tenement Buildings

An ever increasing amount of people living in tenement buildings in cities like Edinburgh, are having serious problem with their gutters and downpipes. For the most part the problems are caused by a simple blockage / vegetation growing in the gutters or minor maintenance problems such as seam lining, that have been allowed to go on untended for too long without gutter cleaning or gutter maintenance.

The reason that these guttering problems have not been simply taken care of long ago is obvious; there aren't many cost effective, quick and easy solutions to cleaning gutters or gutter maintenance on tenement blocks / at height. People are understandably extremely wary of having to pay out huge sums for scaffolding to allow workers to get to the problem area. What's more the various red tape associated with erecting scaffolding on public streets causes delays and complications. Similarly, the cost of a cherry picker and operative, which is another potential solution (where a cherry picker can actually gain access to the street) is much too high for what is essentially at its basic level, just the minor task of maintenance, clearing unblocking or gutter cleaning.

This is where rope access comes in. Rope access technicians can carry out work effectively in awkward situations and can easily access tricky areas such as roof tops, gutters, building facades and other areas at height, either by rigging from the rooftop or by finding another access point. Rope access is less obtrusive and almost always quicker and cheaper than the alternatives such as scaffolding or a cherry picker, and a rope access team can be in and out with the minimum of disruption for a fraction of the cost.

The problem is that not enough people know about rope access as a viable solution to maintenance problems such as gutter cleaning. Either they don't know about rope access at all, or think of it as something that is used only in construction or offshore settings. The truth is that despite still being rare, there are a growing number of rope access technicians and companies who work onshore and will happily provide domestic services. As well as rope access skills they bring with them combinations of other valuable skills such as roofing, maintenance, stonework, civil engineering and many more, making rope access the perfect solution for most maintenance issues at height, from small issues such as gutter cleaning to larger maintenance and repair jobs.

The reasons to use rope access for these types of jobs is obvious. Unlike other solutions to gutter cleaning in tenement buildings and other maintenance problems at heght, the time taken to install access systems is minimal with minimal impact on structure and surroundings including traffic flow and pedestrian access. Rope access has extremely safe codes of practice (the best record in the field of difficult access), and work can safely be carried out safely, quickly and cost effectively at any height in almost any situation, saving time, money and avoiding the complications that other gutter cleaning solutions might present.

Why A Seamless Gutter May Be Your Best Choice

Is your home in need of new rain gutters? Have you been wondering what type of gutter system you want to replace them with? A seamless gutter may be your best choice for several reasons.

A seamless gutter system offers several advantages that a traditional gutter just can't give. The biggest one being that it is just as its name implies, seamless. There isn't a break in the gutter.

What makes this an advantage? Since there is no break, there can be no future leaks. With a standard gutter system you have many sections of guttering that are all pieced together. What happens is that over time these sections form leaks in the seams. If they are left unchecked, wood rot can easily occur and further damage to your roof.

You can find seamless gutters made out of many different materials such as copper, aluminum and galvanized steel. Seamless gutters are available in every kind of color and style to match up perfectly with your homes exterior.

The biggest disadvantage to buying seamless gutters can be the cost involved. Since seamless gutters are cut to the exact lengths on site, you'll have to utilize the services of a professional gutter installation company. Of course, this adds to the cost of the project, but many people don't mind. The professional look and increased gutter life are a small price to pay in the long run.

You can find places that sell seamless gutter systems in your local yellow pages, or better yet, you can simply do an online search. You'll find everything you need as well as much more information on all types of gutters and downspouts.

Take some time and research the differences between a standard gutter, and a seamless gutter. This way you can make the right decision that best suits the needs for your house.

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Gutter And Downspout Cleaning - Helpful Tips On Cleaning Rain Gutters

Have you been dreading the job of gutter and downspout cleaning? It's not hard to understand why. Going up on the roof and trying to get all the junk out of your rain gutters isn't something that anyone looks forward to, but it is definitely something that is necessary for any homeowner to do at least once a year. Here are some tips to help make this job a little easier.

Obviously, keeping your rain gutters and eaves free from leaves, sticks and other debris will help prevent clogging and keep them from sagging or coming apart from the roof and creating a more serious water problem in the future.

We don't often consider the fact that our rain gutters and downspouts really do protect our home from damage. They aid in preventing water from pouring off of your roof and getting into your foundation and eventually into your home, as well as preventing rotting of your roof.

When it comes to cleaning gutters and downspouts you have a couple of choices; having a gutter contractor come out and do it for you, or climbing up the ladder and doing it yourself.

Before you go to climbing that ladder be sure you are physically able and comfortable in doing it. My father fell from a ladder a couple of years ago doing this and broke his leg in the process. He could have easily had the work done for him, but chose to do it himself even though he knew he shouldn't have. I urge you to give this some careful thought. Using the services of a guttering company is not out of the reach of most budgets and it will prevent any possible accidents.

For those who are going to do it themselves you will need a good ladder, a garden hose, safety glasses, gloves and pole or something similar to help get some of the leaves and sticks out with. It may be possible to go on the roof and use a leave blowing machine if your gutter is dry and doesn't have that much in it. It's another option.

Once you are on the roof, pick out the large areas of debris in the gutter before hosing them out. You want to avoid washing the leaves and everything else down into your downspout or you run the risk of getting it clogged up. Then, once you have the major junk out of the gutter you spray the channel with water and get them cleaned out.

Although this is not a tough task to accomplish it is vital to the upkeep of your home. Depending on how many trees you have around your home you may need to do this once in the spring and once again in the late fall in order to keep things flowing freely.

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Gutter Types - How To Choose The Best Rain Gutters For Your Home

If you are like most homeowners you don't give much thought on gutters and downspouts, but they certainly play an important role in the upkeep of your home.

Leaking rain gutters can cause a wide array of problems, from just an inconvenience of getting wet from them dripping on your head, to major damage with water leaking into your basement or rotting the wood on your roof and siding.

So, if you're looking to replace your guttering system, the big question is what type of gutters are the best? Let's look at the various types you have to choose from.

Steel Gutters

If you are looking for strength a steel guttering system is your choice here. Steel holds up to the elements better than any other type of gutters. They will basically last forever. The one major drawback with steel is that it can rust over time unless you treat them.

Copper Gutters

The durability and visual appeal make copper gutters an excellent choice for your home. They are easy to maintain and hold up to rain water very well. The major drawback with copper is that it can discolor over the years. What starts out as shiny and gold can turn to dark brown or green over time due to oxidation. With that said, there are sealants you can apply to help prevent this from happening. The tradeoff is increased costs and the time involved.

Aluminum Gutters

The selling points with aluminum guttering is their light weight and affordability. They are the most economical rain gutter option. Aluminum is not as strong as steel or copper, but they still hold up well to the different weather elements. Their biggest drawback is the maintenance involved. They require more frequent attention than other types of rain gutters.

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl gutters provide you with a system that is lightweight and virtually maintenance free. They also give you a variety of colors to choose from that other gutters do not. The drawbacks to them are their lack of strength and the fact they are subject to the effects of hot or cold weather.

Gutter Replacements - If it Ain't Broke Don't Fix It, But Don't Live With Broken Things

You've heard the old adage: 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. The words are usually uttered to prevent unnecessary damage being done to something that already works. It is the tendency of some to avoid getting things fixed because of a desire not to upset the applecart - to free the head of concerns and worries that might otherwise be overlooked. But some things are overlooked to the disadvantage of those who would pursue a worry free lifestyle. All too frequently, gutter maintenance falls into this category of thinking. And when you get down to it, gutter maintenance really isn't that big a worry. It certainly isn't, when you employ a specialist team for the job.

Plumbing specialists are on the job. We have a specialist team that has years of maintenance knowledge and experience, and we want to apply that knowledge and experience to your home or business. When it comes to replacing things don't work effectively, Plumbing specialists love to right wrongs and reverse mistakes. Don't worry: we don't replace things that do work effectively. Avoidable expenses are a part of our business philosophy. But sometimes, you've got to come to that place in your head when enough is enough.

Enough is enough when you have a gutter that hangs limply off the roof. Enough is enough when you have a gutter that rusts to the extent that rainwater begins to leak out of the front and middle onto parts of lawn and pavement reserved for walking or even socializing. Enough is enough when you've spent good money developing a well maintained plumbing system and something as simple as poor gutter flow is causing dysfunction to an otherwise functional network of pipes and levers. Don't settle for the 'ain't broke' thinking when it comes to an aspect of your home or business that can easily be remedied.

Plumbing specialists specialize in Gutter Replacements because faulty gutters are a maintenance issue that is frequently overlooked. We don't want your overall plumbing system to be hijacked by a beaten length of metal hanging off your roof. We spend so much time educating our clients about general plumbing maintenance, backing up that education with second to none maintenance, that we want all bases to be covered in and around the house and business site. We are not prepared to go with the 'ain't broke' thinking if a worn, dysfunctional gutter is preventing your place from enjoying a convenient flow of water, unencumbered by debris.

The Truth About Gutter Protectors and Leaf Guards

All gutter covers and leaf guards are not created equal. A gutter guard or gutter protector has to do three basic tasks:

1. Collect all the water
2. Keep out leaves and debris from the gutter
3. Be easily maintained easily by the homeowner.

Except for one product, in mild-to-heavy debris conditions all gutter guards fail to do all three tasks effectively--read on.

All solid top gutter guards work by the principal of surface adhesion. They generally have a solid top and a curved front surface that leads the water downward and into the gutter.

It makes sense to do some research before buying gutter protection. A product that really does its job could cost thousands of dollars. But in the case of gutter covers, more money doesn't necessarily mean a better performing product. Remember that salesmen are good at telling you what they think you want to hear.

The bottom line is that choosing the wrong product can be a night mare. You might end up with birds living in your gutters and if they clog, you won't be able to get into your gutters to clean them or worse yet, a roof leak. And the mother of all failings is overflowing gutters that leak into your basement providing a fertile environment for toxic mold.

Basically there are six different types of gutter protection devices:

1. Screens-the basic ones are flat and made of metal or plastic with round holes, square holes, and louvered openings. The more sophisticated types have rounded tops, steps, or troughs. Debris lays on the top, dries, and is then pummeled through the openings to clog the gutter inside or the debris clogs the screening device. Bottom line is they work if the homeowner is willing to go up the ladder to clean them and replace the ones blown out by storms or hijacked by squirrels.

2. Filters, membranes, and brushes installed on or in existing gutters. One is a solid top with a filter strip in it that requires replacement every few years (sometimes the squirrels help with the job). Others are basically meshes or brushes installed in the gutter. Bottom line is that they clog like screens. One manufacturer touts his benefit is that the brush is removed and cleaned as required. Can you imagine removing a brush full of mucky tree debris and shaking it out? You'll need to wear a rain coat and then power wash your home.

3. The fin type with a solid top and a rounded front nose. It's one long fin extending the entire length of the gutter-more about them later.

4. Fin Type with trough has a solid top with rounded front nose and a trough.

5. Flipping type gutters, rain dispersal....

6. Flat solid top with rounded front nose and a double row louvered front vertical surface.

Which gutter covers may not perform the first task and collect all the water? Answer: Those with a very tight radius or use a series of bends on the nose of the gutter cover. The larger the radius and the smoother the radius, the more water that the gutter protector will collect, otherwise the water just skips off onto the ground in heavy rainfall conditions.

If your home has a valley, there is little hope of collecting the water unless you use gutter screens (the first type) or the sixth system--more later.

The second job a gutter protector has to do is keep the gutters clean. Most any gutter protector will keep gutters clean in a light debris environment. However, in mild-to-heavy debris environments--especially spring time--debris will stick to the rounded front surface of the third type (fin) and fourth type (fin with trough) of gutter covers and go into the gutter or the trough.

The third concern is about the ease of maintenance of the leaf guard gutter. Unfortunately, most manufacturers will either out right tell you that no maintenance will ever be required or that they will infer that none is required. But think about this. If you live in a treed environment where you need to clean your gutters several times during the fall, would you honestly believe that you'll never have to do anything to maintain your gutter guards? Asking a homeowner to believe that there is no maintenance required is like asking him to believe in Santa Claus.

The truth is that all six types of gutter protectors will clog in mild-to-heavy debris environments. The question is, "Where"? Only one clogs where it can be easily dealt with by the homeowner.

The third and fourth types of products require the gutter to be cleaned inside. One of these gutter guards also use clips to anchor them to the gutter that work loose causing the cover to collapse into the gutter. You'll also notice that many of third type are very similar in design and appearance. One actually has sieve type openings on the top of it which act like a screen.

All products thus far mentioned have to be maintained by having someone climb a ladder and clean the gutter and or the gutter cover. With some of the fin type products, nails need to be removed from the roofing to remove the product which could contribute to roofing leaks.

Wouldn't it be great to have a gutter protector that does live up to all its promises-a product which uses two rows of interspersed louvers in the front vertical surface to collect rain water and limit the size of the debris that can enter the gutter? And wouldn't it be great to have a product that can collect water in valley configurations.

Can you actually imagine a product that can keep gutters clean and free flowing for twenty plus years in heavy debris conditions? A gutter guard that can easily be maintained while wearing a suit and tie with a telescopic pole and brush from the ground?

Gutter Cleaning Tools

You have noticed that your gutters are not draining properly or that they are overflowing when it rains? There must be a blockage forming somewhere that is causing water to build up. It is time to clean the gutters. What do you need to get the job done? First, you need a ladder. You will need to get up to the gutters and the easiest way to do that is with a ladder. Make sure that you do not lean the ladder against your gutters or downspouts but only on a sturdy surface. You could also use scaffolding to reach your gutters, but that would fairly cumbersome and potentially an overkill for this type of job.

Once you are up the ladder and can reach your gutters you will need to clean out the debris that is clogging them up. The next piece of equipment you will need is a pair of gloves. You will not want to be handling the moldy leaves and debris with your bare hands. Most people just proceed by scooping out the mess with their hands, but there are tools that you can purchase if you do not want to handle the refuse yourself. You can use a small trowel or a gutter scoop. You can purchase these tools at your local hardware store. Once you get the offending blockage from your gutters, you will have two choices, you can throw it on the ground for later pick up and disposal, or you can have a garbage bag with you when you are on the ladder. I recommend the latter option but I suggest that you hang the garbage bag from the ladder so that you have two hands to do your work.

Once you get all of the big pieces out, you will want to check to make sure that your downspouts are not clogged. If they are, you can place a garden hose in the opening and use the running water to push the debris free. The next step is to use a leaf blower, if you have one available to blow any smaller pieces free from the gutters. Using a leaf blower while on a ladder can be dangerous, so I often skip this step and try to do a more thorough job with cleaning out the debris by hand. The final step is to rinse the gutters clean with the garden hose.

In summary, you will need the following to clean your gutters: a ladder, gloves, a small trowel or gutter scoop if desired, a garbage bag, a leaf blower if desired, and a garden hose.