Use protection! "Gutter Protection"

Hi Gang!

Here we are again as temperatures drop and the rain increases, we concern ourselves with the condition of our gutters. Naturally, we must also consider protecting ourselves from debris clogging the gutters, thereby voiding their purpose.

Answer one question, "What is the primary purpose of the gutters installed on my home?" You should answer along the lines of, "To catch rain water as it flows off my roof and push the water away from my home’s foundation." Think one word, erosion (the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water). A National Handyman and Radio personality has an excellent phrase, which he reminds callers constantly, "Water always wins."

Prior to purchasing any kind of gutter protection for your home, you have several things to consider. Many things should be considered other than how nice the Salesman was or how good his presentation was.

• Are your gutters in good shape?
• It doesn’t make sense to pull down "new" or perfectly good gutters to install an "all-in-one" gutter & protection system. Nor does it make sense to install brand new protection over gutters that are falling off, leaking or in disrepair.

• What kinds of trees are on your property?

• The fact is, it’s not that the simple guards are useless but they may be the wrong style for your property and your specific needs. (Don’t forget that towering pine on your property….) If your home is out in the open, protection may not be first-and-foremost on your "things to do list." Beware however of the random tennis balls and/or dead birds that may still clog your gutters.

• Does my roof slope have much to do with the protection I choose?
• The slope of your roof is a HUGE consideration when you stop and think about it. The roof pitch can run from as low as a "flat roof" (which speaks for itself) up to as much as a 12/12 or greater! This is like the difference between the "bunny run" at your favorite ski resort vs. the downhill ramp on the Olympic ski jump; quite the difference. Think for a moment of how slow you ski on a bunny run yet the momentum alone rushes you off at a high rate of speed when going down hill on the jump.
• Many products rely on what they describe as "surface tension." Try this little experiment: Go to your kitchen sink, fill a coffee mug to the brim with water. Hold it level, you’ll see the water sits at the rim much like that on a roof with a flat surface. Now, tilt the mug very slightly (barely noticeable and watch how as the water runs off, it clings to the edge of the mug and drip inward toward the center of the bottom of the cup. This is surface tension (a.k.a.: water adhesion). Now, tilt your cup at a VERY steep pitch/slope, you can see that the water clearly runs off the mug and does not adhere to the edge at all. It in fact shoots away from the mug. This is why many of the products that rely solely on surface tension have a disclaimer in their warranty, "This product does not protect against water over flowing in the areas of where this gutter protection is installed." Once again, "What is the primary reason for the gutters on your home?" Hmmmmmmm…. This is certainly worthy of thought.

• What cover / guard or protection is best suited for my home?
• This is a question you and only you must answer. Do NOT let one system influence your decision. Do your homework. Check out several and then choose wisely. Another thought, what is (or is NOT) covered under warranty? Be certain to see the EXACT warranty that accompanies the gutter protection that interests you. Beware of one who says, "I have placed all your important documents in this sealed envelope including your warranty. Don’t open it, as items may fall out you’ll want or need someday. Put it in a special place (maybe where you keep all of your other important documents)." Picture this, you follow those instructions, 6 months later, you experience a problem, you look for your paperwork and:
• there’s no warranty.
• "This warranty is void unless the attached warranty card is completed and returned to the office within 30 days of installation.
• You are "SOL," on your own!

• Will the installer’s or manufacturer’s warranty cover necessary cleaning?
• Richard Roll, President of the American Homeowners Association said, Check the warranty, especially the fine print. (Why? …..because that’s where they’re gonna get you! By the fine print!).
• Beware of the protection that calls for a service fee to clean out your gutters. WAIT! Why are you buying their gutter protection?  To keep the gutters free of debris. Now they charge you for clean out (when it is their product that got clogged?) Seriously?

CURB APPEAL:

Is the gutter protection you’re considering appealing to the eye from the street or will it be an eyesore? Will you require a protection system that is available in a multitude of colors? This may impede your choices. Can you reach a "happy medium?" Color matching or performance, you must determine which is most important to you.

ICICILES or ICE DAMS:

Icicles also can be an inherent problem dependent upon these factors and the type cover/protection. When the temperature drops, and water droplets have somewhere to run off or stick to then freeze, one freezes on the other, and the other, next thing you know, icicles.

The weight of ice within the gutters, atop your gutters or even on the gutters in the form of icicles can cause additional damage to you gutters, fascia boards and more. It is for this reason I am a fan of a micromesh gutter protection rather than a "cover" or "hood."  This is a very touchy subject. I will not take time to explain the "ultimate" cause of Ice Dams on this page however, it comes down to your roofs ventilation, insulation and a few other factors, not to forget, if your gutters are full of debris and can not collect water, wham! Ice Dams!

ROOFING GRIT/ GRANULES:

Does any portion of the gutter protection you are installing require installation underneath the first row of shingles (or any portion thereof)? Be careful, many roofing/shingle manufacturers void their warranty when this form of application is required. Know before you go.  There is not a shingle made that in time does not loose its granules. So much so, one of the largest shingle manufaturers has even produced a flyer regarding The Life Cycle of Roofing Shigles. When this occurs due to the aging process of your roof, you can find granules within your gutters. Once again, I encourage the gutter protection with micromesh as these granules, even pine needles are not a concern.

VALLEYS

This is the area where two roofs meet; possibly between your garage and the main roof. In many cases, there is now a valley that leads to a "inside" corner. At the base, your gutter becomes the "catch all" from the debris that runs down the valley. Much like a slide in a playground. Many contractors place "splash guards" to prevent the water from overflowing in this corner section. Now, you have enhanced the flow of debris, water and other objects in this valley yet restricted the flow. Essentially you have built a damn. Be prepared to have constant maintenance required in that section. Simply use a broom or brush away the debris from this area.

ITEMS SITTING ATOP (POLLEN):

No mater what type gutter cover/protection you install, you essentially have now placed a "roof" over your gutters. You will experience debris sitting atop your gutter protection. Most times, the items sitting atop will blow away with the wind. On the other hand, in many areas across the nation there are trees that produce pollen. Then the pollen sits atop you gutter protection. Yes, this can also happen with the micromesh protection. Simply use mild dish-soap and a gentle scrub brush and this pollen will wash away instantly.

Ultimately remember this: Even the best gutter protection in the world will not operate properly if it is installed poorly. You may have created a problem rather than a solution.

Finally, stay off the ladder! Leave that to the experts. Over 750,000 cases of ladder falls are reported annually of persons between the ages of 20-40 years old. Some simple injuries, others death. Protect you home, possessions and potentially your lives. Use protection!

http://www.abc-siding.com/

Rod Pierce
Director of Operations
ABC Seamless
Toledo, Ohio

The Best Insulation

You'd like to $ave money on your energy bills wouldn't you?  The Department of Energy and the Energy Star program says R-49 insulation is the best.  According to nearly every study done, most of the energy lost from your home starts at the top, your attic. 

Many municipalities across the country have "approved" building codes that fall short of the suggested R-value for your home.  A materials resitance to heat flow is Resistance-value or better known as R-value.  The higher the R-value of attic insulation the slower the flow of heat loss through your ceiling.

The Department of Energy's recommened R-value in an attic space in Northwest Ohio and Michigan is R-49 for homes with gas, oil or fuel burning furnaces.  On the contrary, should your home be heated by an electric furnace, the recommended R-value increases to R-60.  Too often, I hear consumers specifically stating, "My builder (or contractor), friend said the code is R-30."  This may be up to "code" but it is not what is recommended.  The D.O.E. has scientific research behind them, local "code" does not.

I favor a quote once found in an article of the Detroit Free News:  "Your customers deserve the insulation they need, not the minimum you can get by with." The moment you insulate your attic you will see an immediate improvement in your utility costs.  A former colleague of mine, David Gaines shared an excellent thought, "Stop and ask yourself one question, If insulating your home didn't save you money, why would you do it?"

Remember, tax credits are now available and must be "placed in service" before December 31st, 2010.  For insulation to qualify for the tax credit of 30% of cost, up to $1,500, it's primary purpose must be to insulate.  Siding does not qualify and it must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty.

So insulate now and see immediate savings.  DO NOT WAIT to the last minute as (supply and demand) quality installers and companies are booking up quickly.  Your payback should be approximately 2.4 years. "Get it while the gettin's good!"

http://www.insulationtoledo.com/

Rod Pierce
Director of Operations
ABC Seamless
Toledo, Ohio 43612
rodp@abc-siding.com