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.

A Buyer's Guide to Gutter Leaf Guards

Rain gutters can't do their job if they aren't kept clean. Leaves, pine needles, seeds and other debris can clog your gutter system. Rotten wood, leaky basements, frozen walkways and annoying drips are just a few of the problems you could face when your gutters get clogged.

But cleaning your gutters is a thankless, messy job. You need to be fearless of heights, have a good ladder, hand tools to scoop out leaves, and a garden hose to flush your gutters. You may also need a plumber's snake to clear clogs in your downspouts.

At the very least, you should clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the Fall and once in Spring. This is general guideline, though. If you live in a wet climate or have tall trees next to your house, you will need to clean more often.

Installing gutter guards is a better option. They provide a peace of mind and keep you and your loved ones from risking life and limb when climbing ladders.

Gutter guards - also known as gutter screens or leaf guards - keep leaves, pine needles, seeds, buds and other debris out of your gutters, while letting water flow in.

Gutter guards come in many different styles including screens, surface tension systems, foam gutter guards and hybrid systems.

As the name implies, gutter screens use a metal or vinyl mesh to keep leaves and large debris from entering your gutter. Screen systems are often the least expensive and easiest to install of all the gutter guards, but - depending on their mesh size - may still allow some seeds and buds to get into your gutter.

Surface tension systems look like covers or caps for your gutters. These systems typically include a slot or trough along the edge of the cover. As water flows over the cover, surface tension makes it follow the curve of the gutter guard and flow into the slot, a path that the debris cannot follow.

Foam gutter guards work on a different principle, filling your gutters with a water-permeable foam insert. Foam guards ward off small seeds and buds that might slip through other types of gutter guards. But make sure the foam is treated to resist mold and repel insects. It should also be treated with a fire retardant.

Hybrid systems combine aspects of screen and surface tension systems, often featuring a finer mesh than more screen systems. Hybrid systems work well, but can be more expensive than other systems.

In addition to the gutter guards, it's also a good idea to put guards, or leaf strainers over the openings to your downspouts. Wire strainers, as they are generally known, keep the leaves from clogging your downspouts and/or underground drainage.

Which system is right for you?

The answer depends on your specific situation. Are you comfortable on ladders? Do you have the necessary time? Can you find someone that you can rely on (and who has insurance) to keep your gutters clean?

Surface tension systems are usually more expensive than gutter screens, and hybrid systems can be the most expensive. But prices will vary and you may be able to get a good deal on a more advanced system.

Consider the types of trees around your house. Pine trees pose a bigger problem than deciduous trees, since their needles are smaller than leaves.

Also note that not all gutter guards are compatible with all types of roofs and gutters. See this chart (http://www.guttersupply.com/file_area/public/File/leafguardcompchart.jpg) to tell which brands will work for your roof.

Finally, keep in mind that gutter guards are not foolproof. Some systems, especially the less expensive ones, may still allow small debris to get into your gutters. This may not be enough to clog your gutters, but could lead to a build-up over time.

Gutter Brush - A Simple Solution to Messy Rain Gutter Cleaning

Nobody likes cleaning rain gutters on their house. It's time consuming and often, frankly, completely gross, especially if you do not keep up with it on a somewhat regular basis. If you are like many homeowners and think "I'll take care of that next weekend", you could end up with massive clogs in your gutters and downspouts...clogs which will cost hundreds of dollars to repair because you have to call a gutter professional to come out, take down your downspouts, clean them out and put them all back together. Instead of spending all of that time and money, why not just install a gutter brush?

A gutter brush will save you time and you won't have to worry about costly clogs in your downspouts. The product looks like a giant pipe cleaning brush. It sits in your rain gutter channel and acts as a barrier for leaves, twigs, seedpods and other debris while still letting water pass through easily.

Installation is a breeze. The most difficult part is climbing the ladder up to your roof to set the gutter brush down inside of it. But that's it...you're done! More importantly they are easy to clean. All you have to do is climb back up that pesky ladder; pull the brushes out, remove the debris and put them right back into place.

Why spend a bunch of money if you don't have to? Heck, why spend a bunch of time cleaning something if you don't have to? The gutter brush is affordable, you can install it yourself in an afternoon (or less if you are lucky enough to have access to your roof that does not require a ladder) and it lasts all year (studies have proven they can also keep your gutters from freezing in the winter). Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Pros and Cons of Gutter Guards - Making the Decision Simple

Choosing to have gutter guards installed on your home should not have to be a complicated decision. By observing the pros and cons of an effective gutter guard system, it's easy to see that the pros far outweigh the cons. Let's take a look.

The Pros That Gutter Guards Provide To Homeowners

Professionally-installed gutter guards keep you safe and injury free. From a safety perspective, ladders are simply one of the most dangerous components of do-it-yourself home improvement. Having gutter guards actively protecting your home's gutters really changes the picture. It means there's no more moving, positioning, and climbing up and down dangerous ladders to clean out blocked gutters ever again.

They will add precious time to your weekends. This is a pro that is practically impossible not to like. With the hectic lifestyle we all tend to live these days, who wants to spend half of the weekend cleaning their gutters? Take back the weekends once and for all.

Gutter protection prevents costly water damage. Clogged and obstructed gutters are a number one culprit of causing water damage to a house. When the rain water is not properly diverted from the house, it usually finds a less desirable path-causing mold, mildew, and eventually even rotting along the way. And after inflicting all of this damage, the water can then end up in your basement. An always-clean, functional gutter system eliminates all of this costly water damage before it actually happens.

Protective gutter caps prevent ice damming problems. For those who have experienced the significant problems ice dams are known to cause, please know that gutter guards provide a major piece of the solution to solving the problem by preventing ice and snow from building up and stagnating in a home's gutter system. In other words, even when there is another issue causing the ice damming in the first place, properly covered gutters can counteract the problem by allowing the ice to dissipate.

The Cons Of Having High Quality Gutter Guards Installed

There is a modest upfront price tag involved. However, your new gutter guards will begin paying for themselves the very first time you skip hiring the gutter cleaning service. And this brings us to the next point...

The gutter cleaning service you used to use will need to find different work. It's always nice to provide a job for the hardworking home maintenance and handy-help folks in the locale you reside in, but they'll understand when they learn you'll be going maintenance-free!

Wouldn't you agree that gutter guards are an extremely wise homeowner investment? They save time, hassle, and worry; most importantly- they'll save you from life threatening injury.