Gutter Cleaning, so what’s the big deal?

Is there any more dreaded choir than gutter cleaning?  Having to get on a ladder or a roof way up high is scary and dangerous.  Then having to bend over the edge to scoop out nasty, stinky, wet, gross gutter muck.  Why do leaves smell so bad as they decompose?  You can’t even count the number of times you ask yourself, “Is this really necessary?”.  Unfortunately it is.

Summary of Issues that can Happen if You Don’t Clean Your Gutters:

• landscape damage
• soil, cement, and black top erosion
• excessive foundation settling
• flooding in your basement
• fascia and soffit wood rot and deterioration
• staining of interior drywall
• wood rot in wall cavities
• moisture issues and mold
• breeding ground for mosquitoes and diseases associated

Things You Will Most Likely Be Cleaning Out of Your Gutters

Ok, So Your Gutters are Clogged, What Can You Do About It?

You can DIY gutter clean them yourself

Anyone who has ever cleaned a gutter knows it is dangerous, time consuming, and just plain gross and messy.  Hundreds of thousands of people are injured in ladder related accidents each year.  Out of those hundreds of deaths occur.   Your gutters should be free flowing year round.  A home that has many trees may have to have the gutters cleaned every week throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall.  That can add up to hours and hours of time consuming gutter cleaning.  And finally, everyone knows gutter cleaning is a messy choir.  One word sums it up… Gutter Muck!

Cons of DIY Gutter Cleaning

• Dangerous for You, Your Loved Ones, or Someone You Know.
• Time Consuming, There are better ways to spend your time.
• Nasty and Dirty Choir that no one enjoys.

You can Hire a Gutter Cleaning Service

When you hire a gutter cleaning company you are at the mercy of that company.  Most companies are honest but some are not.  How do you know that they are actually doing the work without climbing up there to see for yourself?   Most gutter cleaning companies are small mom and pop shops.  Unfortunately these types of companies can be unreliable.  Along those same lines, gutter cleaning is a pretty low price item.  A gutter cleaning company has to do a lot jobs in order to afford important customer protections like worker’s compensation insurance.  Most of these companies do not have these insurances which puts you at risk if anyone gets hurt on your property.  And the third negative against gutter cleaning is it becomes a re-occurring expense.  Every time your gutters need cleaning you need to have them out, year after year.  What seems like a relatively inexpensive service adds up pretty quickly when you have to have it done 5-6 times a year for years on end.

Cons of Hiring a Gutter Cleaning Company

• Have to rely on the Gutter Cleaner, which most are unreliable
• You may be exposing yourself to risk if workers get hurt falling off a ladder or roof
• Re-Occurring Expense that adds up over time.

You Can Say Goodbye to Gutter Cleaning Forever by Having a Profession Install a Clog Free Gutter System on Your Home

Although the price of these systems may seem high, over time they will actually save you money and will guarantee that your gutter system is working properly and protecting your home.  With these systems you or anyone you care about will never have to get on dangerous ladders to clean gutters.  You will also never have to hire an unreliable gutter cleaning service, take the risk of someone getting hurt and suing you, and you will never have to pay over and over again for this service to make sure your gutters are working properly.

Good clog free gutter systems come with a lifetime no clog guarantee.  This does not necessarily mean the system will never clog, it actually means that if it does clog, the company will come out and remove the obstruction.  A few things you need to be aware of:  Screens always clog (no matter what kind), not all clog free gutter systems are created equal (and some actually don’t even work), and in general, you get what you pay for (cheap things are never good and good things are never cheap).

Fortunately for homeowners in the Chicago area there is product called GutterShutter which is offered by Innovative Home Concepts.  GutterShutter is the most attractive, highest capacity, strongest clog free gutter system available.  It comes in a 5″ residential size and a 6″ commercial size along with the choice of 12 attractive colors.

Advantages of a Clog Free Gutter System

• You Never have to subject yourself to the time consuming and dangerous task of gutter cleaning
• You Never have to hire a gutter cleaning company and accept the expenses and risks associated
• Good ones come with a lifetime no clog warranty
• GutterShutter by Innovative Home Concepts is available to all homeowners in Chicagoland and Southern Wisconsin area

One of the most important parts of your home is your gutters. Gutters protect your foundations from water damage and your garden from erosion. They also form a barrier between the elements and the roof. As your gutters are essential to preventing water damage, you need to maintain them on a regular basis. If your gutters start to leak, rust or pull away from the house it is time to look for new gutters.

Many people assume that installing new gutters themselves will save them time and money. However, this is not always the case because proper gutter installation is hard work. It will also take a lot of time which could in the long-run cost more than getting a contractor. There are a number of reasons why DIY installation is a bad idea.

Technical Issues

A professional gutter installer can make it look easy, but there are actually a number of factors that have to be taken into account. These are generally technical aspects that professional installers will know about and the average person does not.

Something you might not realize is that gutters come in a range of different sizes. Large gutters will hold more water, but they could pull away from the property easily because they are heavier. Smaller gutters are more secure, but they have the potential of overflowing if there is a lot of rain. A professional will be able to determine the size you need and the size which will fit your property.

A crucial factor to gutter installation is pitching the gutters correctly. There is actually a delicate balance between maintaining curb appeal and pitching your gutters properly. If the pitch is incorrect then you could face overflowing which will compromise your foundations. However, pitches that are not subtle could make your home appear lopsided which negatively impacts your curb appeal.

When installing gutters you have to consider the spacing of gutter hangers because many things could happen if this is done incorrectly. The first is that the system could sag is the hangers are too far apart and this will cause the gutters to pull away from the house. If you use too many gutter hangers you will be wasting materials, time and money.

Sealing the gutter seams is a bit of a science. You need to factor in points such as moisture levels, temperature and the gutter condition in order to seal the seams effectively. Sealing the seams is not actually the best option and could cause problems in the long-run. It is better to get seamless gutters which limit the risks of leaks and separation.

If you are planning to add gutter covers to your project, this may add a whole new skill set that you will have to master in order to do the job right.

There are also some soffit and fascia complications that you need to know about. If you do not clean the system often an improper diversion of water could cause the soffit and fascia to rot. The fascia and soffit may need to be treated for mold or completely replaced when this happens. If you do not take care of these problems they will cause bigger issues in the future and you will not be able to install new gutters until this has been fixed.

Safety Issues

During gutter installation, you have to consider your safety. A single tiny slip up when installing gutters could cause potentially fatal consequences. There are many safety concerns that you need to look at.

Each year, thousands of homeowners fall off ladders and many of them are met with serious consequences. A ladder fall can result in broken bones, concussions, joint dislocations and in extreme cases death. Professionals have been trained in ladder safety and will be insured to protect you from any liability if an accident occurs.

There is a lot of equipment needed to install gutters from common tools to more advanced tools. If these tools are not used correctly they can cause serious injuries. During gutter installation, you will need to use tin snips, hacksaws and downspout crimpers which are powerful and sharp. Many of these tools are not ones that you generally use and many seasoned DIY enthusiasts could be putting themselves at risk by using them.

Cost Issues

One of the primary reasons why people do not hire professionals for gutter installation is the cost. However, it is important to note that you could end up spending more when you complete the installation yourself. There are a number of reasons why this could be the case.

The installation costs associated with professionals is a big concern for many homeowners, but professionals are often the economical option. The source materials needed for the installation are generally cheaper when bought in bulk. This means that the professional will generally be able to offer a lower price for the materials then your local hardware store.

As every house is different, there are unique quirks that your home has that others will not. When you hire a professional they will be able to take these quirks into account and offer materials that work with your home. If you choose to install the gutters yourself you could purchase the wrong materials or spend more on special orders. Many professionals will already have the correct parts in stock lowering the overall costs.

When you make a mistake in the installation it can be costly. If you accidently drop your system during the installations the gutters could end up bent or bowed. This will increase the costs as you have to purchase replacement materials. If a professional causes damage while installing your gutters they are liable for the additional costs of replacing the materials which means you will never have any unexpected costs.

Completing a DIY gutter installation does give you experience and the bragging rights if everything turns out right. However, the technical aspects, safety hazards and cost of materials need to be taken into account before you start anything. These points could make the DIY installation cost more and take more time than simply hiring a professional.

Gutter guards are useful in preventing the build up of debris in your gutters. With these in place, you won’t have to worry about water pooling up and causing damage. You’ll also prevent long term damage to the roof and gutter itself.

Theoretically speaking, gutter guard installation will allow you to clean your gutters by hand less often while still maintaining the integrity of your home. However, their usage isn’t as widespread as you would think. With that in mind, the question must be asked: is it really worth the investment?

The answer is quite simple. Gutter guards are very worthy purchases. That said, you really have to make sure you get the best possible style to fit your home.

The Dangers Of Clogged Gutters

Gutters tend to get clogged up with twigs, leaves, and other debris quite quickly. A small amount of this type of obstruction is generally safe enough, but allowing them to pile up will only lead to bigger problems in the long run. Gutters with a lot of debris will naturally retain a lot of water. As such, the gutters themselves will begin to stress and strain under the additional weight. Ultimately, they may fall off of the home altogether.

An excess amount of debris can become problematic at any time, even if it seems your gutter mounts are holding on without maintenance. If water isn’t draining properly away from your house, plenty of issues are soon to follow. For instance, the water can pool on the roof and begin dripping inside. Further structural damage is only inevitable from there.

A blocked gutter can also freeze over in winter, especially in climates such as Chicago. Ice dams will form and begin pushing against the roof. The wood underneath the shingles is then prone to immense damage. The potential cost of repairs necessary in that scenario can reach truly burdensome heights.

Choosing The Right Gutter Guards

Leaf Guards are able to help you avoid a lot of these problems. You can install them and safely step back from regular maintenance. Their mere presence is also something of a cash saver in the long run since you’ll have less repairs to worry about. That said, not all guards are made with the same level of quality.

There are a lot of DIY options for gutter guards out there, particularly those made with foam and screen inserts. Guards of this nature fail to keep out the likes of flower buds, seed pods, and pine needles however. In many ways, it’s much better to utilize a professional installation service.

Professionally installed protection systems will be incredibly effective at keeping debris out of your gutters. Some of the systems even include a 100 percent clog-free promise. The Gutter Shutter Protection System is one of the primary examples.

Making Gutter Guards Fit The Aesthetic Of Your Home

There’s no doubting that professionally installed guards are the most effective in staving off clogs and ice dams. They also have the added bonus of not taking anything away from the curb appeal of your home. When installed, you can even make sure that the gutter protection system is designed with the overall architectural look of your home in mind.

The finish and color can both be whatever you happen to choose. You can choose to either make the gutters look like a naturally extension of the roof, or even accentuate them to stick out with contrasting colors. Many different shades, including standards such as black, red, brown, green, and silver are all in ready supply. You can also have guards custom built to best suit your tastes.

Of course, the best aspect of professional guard systems is their integrity. They’ll hold up to the weather and elements for many years to come after installation. When it comes to the choose to install gutter protection or not, it should be obvious that the former is the only acceptable option.

Most homeowners think they should replace their gutters when they replace their roof. This isn’t true, but some roofers in Chicago want you to believe you do have to replace both. In some cases, you will need to replace both your gutters and your roof.

When To Replace Your Gutters
If you don’t have a good rain gutter system, then your foundation will become soaked when water starts draining off your roof. This can lead to leaks in your basemen. Eventually, your home could suffer from structural damage.

If you notice your gutters are damaged or in need of repairs, then replace them when you decide to have a roof installed, but make sure you take the time to inspect your gutters. Look for signs that it needs to be replaced, and these signs include cracks and sagging. Look for water damage too and look at the underside of the eaves. If there is paint that’s peeling or rust marks on the exterior of your home, then this is a sign it’s time to replace your gutter system.

Is there pools of water near your home’s foundation? If so, then it’s time for new gutters. The sooner you get them, the better.

Why it Makes Sense To Get New Gutters With A New Roof
Many homeowners get new gutters when they get new roofs, even if there is nothing really wrong with their current gutter system. This is because getting them done at the same time tends to be affordable, especially when a homeowner is using financing, their tax refund or their home equity loan to do it. Plus, doing it at the same time tends to save money on costs such as labor and you save money when you deal with only one contractor.

It Isn’t Always Necessary
When a roofing contractor is looking at your roof and about to give you an estimate, ask them to inspect your gutters and if they say there are issues, ask what those issues are. Repairs may be all that is needed. The extent of the repairs depends on what exactly the issue is.

If you still want to get new gutters, make sure you buy high quality ones. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on gutters that are inferior and end up not doing what they are supposed to do. Also, if you have issues with your gutters getting clogged, then has your contractor about getting gutter shields, as this can prevent clogs from happening in the first place.

Happy Homeowner Raves about Gutter Shutter Leaf Guard Installation in Oakbrook Terrace

Gloria was having trouble with clogged gutters and the fact that her existing system was overflowing with water.  In fact her gutters were so bad squirrels were using them as a drinking trough.  To boot, her downspouts were completely clogged with about 2 feet of gunk.  Along came Innovative Home Concepts and the Amazing Gutter Shutter Clog Free Gutter system.

Gloria knew about Leafguard.  She had gone online and researched them and checked them out at Costco.  While doing her research she came across the guttershutterchicago.com website.  Having seen both products on the web and from seeing the guttershutter demo video, she could tell the Gutter Shutter was a far superior product.

Gloria and her husband met with Bill Tait, expert leaf guard and gutter expert.  Bill was able to win over these nice folks with his personality and knowledge of leaf protection systems.   In her words, “he was so friendly and nice!”

After signing up for new gutters Gloria’s experience with the company was very positive.  She found that everyone that she talked to was very nice.  When she had a question she could reach the Innovative production manager Manny, and he immediately gave her an answer.

What she loves most about her new gutters is the lines.  They are very straight and clean.  When the install was going on she had asked the installers to put her downspouts at a certain angle and they had no problem complying to her wishes.

In the video Gloria gives her experience an A+ because Bill was so friendly and because the three installers were great.  In fact they removed her old Christmas lights and neatly returned them to her.  That really impressed Gloria!

She would also definitely recommend Innovative and the Gutter Shutter to anyone who needs leaf free gutters.  She thinks they look fabulous and is very happy with her experience.

Overall, Gloria feels the price was right, especially compared to Leafguard Chicago.  And the product was far superior in her estimation.

Do like Gloria and compare!  See why Gutter Shutter is Chicagoland’s and Oakbrook Terrace’s favorite leafguard gutter system!