Tag: gutters

6″ Seamless Half Round Gutters | Gaithersburg, Maryland

Before and after new 6" seamless half round gutters in Gaithersburg Maryland

Check out this recent project based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We installed brand new 6” half round seamless gutters that not only look aesthetically appealing, but now protect the building from structural damage caused by rain water and debris.

GutterMaid Minute Instructional Video: Re-securing Loose Gutters

How to fix loose gutters

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.

Pipe Collar Repair

Have you ever wondered what the pipes extruding through the top of your roof were? In most cases they are plumbing vents. They typically range in size from about 2″- 4″, and are sealed water tight with a pipe collar or boot. The most common flashing consist of an aluminum base with a rubber gasket that seals tightly around the vent. Unfortunately, while the aluminum base will last a lifetime, the rubber gasket has a much shorter lifespan, and can crack and deteriorate in just a few short years. Cracked or damaged pipe collars will leak water into your attic, and cause mold & mildew to grow, and If left alone long enough, can cause even more signification water damage.

When we complete gutter cleanings for our customers, we always check the condition of each pipe collar. If a pipe collar is damaged, we can generally repair it right there on the spot for a minimal cost to the homeowner. This is because we carry replacement rubber gaskets on all of our trucks. By replacing the damaged part of the pipe collar only, we are able to complete the repair quickly and easily, preventing costly water damage while also saving the customer money.

Damaged Pipe Collar

Damaged Pipe Collar

Repaired Pipe Collar

Repaired Pipe Collar

What is a Drip Edge?

Drip edge is an L shaped piece of metal that is installed at the edge (eave) of your roof. It should extend from the roof decking down into your gutters. Its purpose is to direct water away from your fascia and rake boards, and into your gutters where applicable. It can also help prevent water damage due to ice damming during the winter months.

Unfortunately, roofs are often installed without a drip edge or the gutters are installed over top of the drip edge, rendering it useless.  Water that finds its way behind your gutters will eventually damage your fascia, rafter ends, soffit, etc., and can lead to thousands of dollars in damages.

Does your roof have a properly installed drip edge? There are signs that may indicate missing or improperly installed drip edge that you can look for without having to go up on your roof. When it rains, look for water that comes down in-between your gutters and your fascia. Often times you will see streaking or staining on your fascia just below your gutters, and sometimes you can even see small debris that has worked its way behind your gutters. If you see any of these signs, we recommend that you call a roofer to evaluate your roof and give you an estimate to install a drip edge if needed. Ask to see pictures so you can get a full understanding of whats going on with your roof.

Catching an issue early such as this will save you a lot of money in the long run. GutterMaid trains our employees to look for these types of issues and report back any noted problems as a courtesy to our customers.

Drip Edge

Drip Edge