Here’s the first featured video from our GutterMaid Minute instructional series: Loose Gutters. Over time, the weight of debris, snow, or even simple wear and tear can cause your gutters to become loose and unhinged. It is important to keep gutters remaining securely fastened to your fascia boards to ensure they are not only effective but also safe for homeowners.
We partnered with Absolute Home Solutions for this project in Potomac, MD. We replaced all gutters and downspouts on this home with new, seamless, oversized gutters and downspouts. Upgrading to larger gutters and downspouts not only helps manage rainwater in heavy rain events, but also helps reduce clogged gutters.
Rain gutters are among the most heavily exposed parts of your home. Weather, pests, and constant use affect their integrity. In fact, many animals make gutters their home, given the space and debris that enters it. Specifically, birds often nest in rain gutters for these reasons. Fortunately, here are some effective ways to get rid of birds’ nests in your gutters.
The greatest bird deterrent for your yard is a gutter guard. Gutter guards attach to rain gutters to prevent debris and pests from entering. This reduces clogs, cracks, or other issues from constant use. They also prevent birds from nesting. Aluminum guards click into place over your rain gutters with micro-mesh technology that blocks twigs, leaves, or other nesting materials from entering. Birds will fly away into new spots, leaving your gutters clean and nest-free.
Similarly, buy bird repellent to ward off these creatures. Like bug spray, bird repellents are chemical sprays or gels designed to disperse large flocks of birds. Many different repellents exist depending on the bird, with goose, pigeon, or other fowl in mind. Eco-repellents also exist and are water-based sprays to avoid harming the birds.
While it sounds extreme, bird spikes are perfectly legal and useful in dire situations. Any frustrated homeowner may consider them as a fail-safe last resort. Ultimately, bird spikes are long, needle-like rods that prevent birds from perching, roosting, defecating, or mating. Bird spikes are predominantly used for larger birds, like pigeons, seagulls, or crows, but they can be used for any other birds as well. Still, leaves and other debris can clog bird spikes. Place these horizontally on your gutters to prevent roosting.
Birds are simple creatures, meaning bird decoys are one of the best ways to get rid of birds’ nests in your gutters. These are life-sized models of common predators, like hawks and owls. Predator decoys are a humane non-lethal solution for deterring birds. Other deterrents, like holographic tape and scaring balloons, also exist. These products have been shown to work and will scare away any unwanted flying pests.
If you’re uncomfortable installing gutter guards or are unfamiliar with the options available, call us at Gutter Maid. We offer premium gutter installation in Ellicott City, Maryland, at a reasonable cost. With our professional expertise, we’ll properly install your gutters and recommend the right gutter guard. We’ll also ensure optimum cleanliness with our cleaning services. Stop waiting and call us today for an in-house check-in.
There are many types of gutter systems available today. Some homeowners want the affordability and convenience of aluminum K-style gutters, while others want the luxury and high-quality of stainless steel. No matter what, one thing’s for certain—seamless gutters are worth the investment. Any homeowner should know what the advantages of seamless gutters are for their home or business. It might surprise you to see the low-maintenance, cost-saving benefits that come with them.
Primarily, seamless gutters require less maintenance than sectional gutters. They’re custom-fitted for each property to guarantee excellent performance. Since there are fewer joints, there is less maintenance required. Bugs, clogs, and debris do not build up as frequently, meaning less work on your end. Sectional gutters often have frequent blockages and improper water flowage, but their seamless counterparts eliminate these issues.
Additionally, seamless gutters are stronger than sectional ones. They’re less likely to leak or cause backups. Sectioned gutters meet based on joints, which can lead to leakage problems. The joints can widen and form holes where rust can build. While this protects your gutters further, it also saves money overall. Your gutter installation, repair, and cleaning bills will decrease over time given the less amount of maintenance work needed to repair them.
Lastly, one advantage of seamless gutters not many homeowners consider is its lasting beauty appeal. Curb appeal ensures positivity among homeowners. It can help raise resale value and create admiration among neighbors, friends, and family. A seamless gutter system raises your curb appeal so that your home is stylish all year long. Given the versatility of the most common seamless gutter options—aluminum, copper, and steel—you can paint them however you please. Alternatively, you can use a baked-on enamel finish that protects your gutters and requires no further seal or paint.
When it comes to seamless gutters, we at Gutter Maid are the best in the business. As professional local gutter installers, we understand how to properly install, repair, and clean seamless gutters for your house, apartment, condominium, or business. Check out on our gutter services, and then fill out our online questionnaire for a free estimate.
Homes aren’t perfect—especially their exteriors, which face the most wear and tear from outside elements such as weather, dirt, and debris. One particularly sensitive part of your home’s exterior is your gutters. Look out for any of these warning signs that you need new gutters to avoid serious structural, financial, and health-related issues.
Cracks are the most obvious signs you need to replace your gutters. Even small cracks can seriously affect your gutter systems, causing water leakage and roof damage. They can also break off under too much stress. Your fascia, shingles, and even home foundation can sustain damage, potentially leading to a greater burden. Not to mention, continual water leakage can lead to mold growth in your home and risk health issues.
Pools of water can damage your roof, too. When water collects, it can weaken the wood in your attic, causing holes or other issues in severe weather. Your gutters also serve to dispel rainwater from collecting on the roof, preventing clogged, misaligned, or broken gutters or downspouts.
Sagging is another similar warning sign that you need new gutters. If the gutters sag or begin to pull away from the house, there are clear issues at play. It’s evident that the gutters have collected water and that the weight is causing them to sag. If left untreated, your gutters can completely break off. Along with the obvious financial strain, rainwater and snow will collect on your roof and siding rather than moving down the gutters, possibly causing further structural issues.
Finally, you cannot ignore mildew and mold. They often have pungent odors and odd colors, so you’ll be able to see it on your siding or under your gutters. Mold and mildew pose health risks; they can cause throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, coughing, wheezing, and skin and eye irritation. Some people are even allergic to these substances, which can have further consequences.
If you experience these issues at any time, call us at Gutter Maid. As one of the best gutter installation companies in Frederick, Maryland, we know how to safely and responsibly install, repair, and clean your gutters. You’ll avoid even the worse gutter-related issues with our services. Give us a call for a consultation, or fill out our online questionnaire.
If you’re having gutter cleanings performed regularly only to find them filling with debris again within a few short weeks, you may want to consider adding a leaf protection system. GutterMaid can install all types of leaf protection systems. Here are four common types of systems along with the pros/cons and pricing for each. You will find a base system can be very affordable and perfect for keeping your gutters functional in between gutter cleanings.
Warm weather, sunshine, and children playing outside are all signs of the summer season. Many people enjoy the comfort and leisure of outdoor activities too. However, summer is also a time for leaves, animals, bugs, pollens, and other natural debris that can trigger allergies. Even more, this debris can collect in your gutters and clog them. Fortunately, these tips for maintaining your gutters this summer will help you avoid any issues with your rainwater drainage system.
While the warm air and sunny climate welcome you to summer’s beauty, it’s important not to forget your gutters. As one of the most exposed parts of your home, it’s important to keep regular maintenance on them throughout these months. The best way to do this is through weekly inspections. This way, you can detect any wear, uneven areas, loose brackets, or leaks. Assess these issues and fix the ones you can. Any serious issues may require a professional.
One simple way to protect your gutters from debris is to install gutter guards. Gutter guards are pieces you can attach to the gutter that block outside material. There are many gutter guards to choose from, like mesh, reverse curve, and screen. Mesh guards have small slots that allow water to run through and stop block twigs or other debris. Reverse curve guards use a unique design in which water does not pass through but rather flows over the top and around a downward curve. Debris slide off the edge and fall to the ground. Lastly, screen guards are like mesh guards but come at a cheaper price point.
Anyone who decides to repair their own gutters must be careful. You should always wear gloves whenever cleaning out your gutters, since you don’t know what type of debris collects there. You must also make sure your ladder is secure. People often sustain injuries from home improvement projects. While it might not seem like the most dangerous chore, gutter cleaning or repair can cause serious injury if you’re not careful. Not to mention, there’s a risk that you can damage your gutter systems if don’t know about proper maintenance techniques.
Another tip to maintain your gutters in the summer is to hire a professional gutter cleaning service. They understand how to properly inspect, clean, repair, and install your gutters through fail-safe skills. Your professional gutter service can recommend and install the right gutter guard for you. With their knowledge and expertise, professional gutter services address your gutters and downspouts in a way that guarantees little-to-no further issues.
Any homeowner who needs their gutters cleaned, repaired, or installed should call us at Gutter Maid. As a gutter installation contractor, we understand the importance of a properly maintained home drainage system. We have the experience to fix any apartment, condo, or home. Contact us today to get started.
Not only do outdated spikes look terrible in your gutters, but they are prone to pulling loose, especially with the added weight of snow and debris. We installed new seamless gutters using premium grade hidden hangers—the strongest and most durable brackets on the market. We also replaced this customer’s old hardware store-bought leaf protection, with a sturdy powder coated leaf protection system by EZ Lock.
