Whether you are building a new house or renovating it, you will require gutter installers at some point of life. Gutters are the most crucial part of any house as they protect the foundation of the home, prevent basement flooding, protect your landscaping and prevent erosion. Because of the significant role that gutters play in our lives, it is important to get them installed by a professional. And in order to ensure that you only hire a professional gutter installation company, ask them the following questions.

#1 Are you licensed? 

License is the indication that the company you are hiring is reliable and can be trusted for the services. A company which holds the license is permitted by the higher authorities to provide the specific services. Furthermore, gutter installation is quite a critical task and demand expertise which only licensed professional can guarantee. So, always ask about the license before hiring a gutter installation company.

#2 Do you have insurance? 

Do you want to get into trouble because the worker fell off your roof while working at your home? Obviously not! So, ask about the insurance beforehand and then move on for the further hiring process. Absence of insurance paper is a sign of unprofessionalism. Therefore, never hire an uninsured company.

#3 Can you provide any references?

A reputable company always keep a record of past clients and love to provide references. You can talk to their previous clients and can clear all your doubts about the company. If in case the gutter installer does not give the recommendations, then hire someone else. You can even check reviews and testimonials on their website to assure yourself.

#4 How much time will you take to complete the job? 

Generally, gutter installation projects take one day for its completion. Anyhow, you should ask the company about its availability and the duration of your project. It is important to ask so that the work is done in your presence and you need not reschedule it. This will avoid inconvenience too.

#5 Can you provide cost estimates in writing? 

If the contractor is not ready to give the written cost estimates, then immediately shift to some other gutter installation company. A professional contractor believes in following business ethics. For the ease of the client, they always provide them with the precise estimates of the cost that will be incurred by the project.

#6 Who will be present at the site for supervision? 

The person with whom you signed the contract may not be present at the gutter installation site. Be sure to ask about the supervisor of the project so that you can reach him in case any trouble arises. If possible, meet them in person.

#7 Do you install gutter covers? 

Most of the contractors these days cover the gutters to prevent leaves and debris from sliding in. Prefer hiring the gutter installation company who provide gutter covers.

Who doesn’t want to live in a proper functioning and appealing house? Everyone wants to! Thus, improving the curb appeal of the home with time is mandatory.

Boosting the exterior look of the house serves two purposes –

• You will enjoy living in a beautiful house that people will acknowledge.
• The overall value of your home increases. So, if you plan to sell your house in the near future, then you can get a high Return on Investment.

There are several factors that need to be considered to improve the attractiveness of the house. Ignoring even one can degrade the value of your home. To help you know how to enhance the beauty of the house, we are here with five ways. Following them can surely add to its worth and grace.

1. Add some greenery and flowers – One of the best ways to intensify the beauty of the house is to add some fresh flowers and plants. You can invest in setting up a garden. If in case you don’t have that much money then you can add some planters to your entryways and windows. They can effectively accentuate the charm of your house.

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1. Change your mailbox – Replace your old mailbox and house number with something stylish and elegant. It is the easiest and cheapest way to add to the beauty of the house’s exterior.

1. Update your front door – The front door plays a significant role in strengthening the curb appeal of the home. Moreover, it is the first thing that your visitors notice. So, it has to be in good condition all the time. You may just need to repaint the door and tada it blings! Thus, it is advised to reface your front doors to have an impactful home entrance.

1. Consider repairing the eavestrough – Eavestrough in lousy conditions can prove to be very damaging for your house. Damaged eaves can weaken the foundation of your house. Moreover, they take away the charm of your home and make it look dull and old. Ruined gutters can also leave a negative impression of yours on your guests. It is the crucial component of your house and needs to be repaired or replaced (if required) on time.

Eavestrough repair experts in Toronto can help you in improving the condition of your gutters. Moreover, it is advised to get the eavestrough checked every six months to make sure their proper functioning. It will thus prevent the outer grace of your house from degrading.

5. Consider power washing – Power washing can remove years of dirt gathered on your siding, driveway, porch, and walkway. If you don’t own a power washer, then you can borrow it from a friend or neighbor. Else, you can hire power washing services. They can do the job for you in a better way.

Gutters are one of the most parts of a household. They protect our homes against water leaking and clogging during rains and snowstorms. They play a major part in protecting the foundations of the home, leakage in home, soil erosion, and preventing the basements from flooding. If you don’t have a gutter in your house, then you need to install it the sooner, the better. Without gutters, it can be fatal to the structure of your house leading to massive damage. It can be a daunting task to find a reliable and experienced gutter contractor. But if one tries to look for one, using the available sources, a professional gutter contractor can be hired. The quality of gutters matter a lot when it comes to choosing them for the safety of the structure of your house. In order to have a professional gutter system, people hire gutter contractors for it. Gutter contractors arrange for the entire process of installing gutters in your household, ranging from raw materials to manual labor implemented in it. Some expert gutter contractors provide stainless steel mesh or aluminum guards. Professional gutter contractors also help in detecting problems like wood rotting in your home’s fascia or water logging in the sides, etc. There are few tips that one needs to keep in mind in order to hire the best gutter contractor:

• Online Reviews

One should do complete research by reading online reviews of gutter contractors. Asking friends and family may also be beneficial since they might have got personal experiences too. A gutter company that is well known in the area is beneficial as it will know the local conditions in your area.

• Insurance

Insurance is also an important part to note of the company. One should be confirmed before hiring a gutter contractor, that they are authentic and know about their projects and work that they do. The compensation for the employees and the liability all should be covered in insurance.

• Detailed writings

Writings are also very important part while choosing a gutter contractor. All the project details, the prices, deals, items that will be used, the working time, etc should be well mentioned in writing.

• Company products

You should also inquire about the kind of products that the contractor uses and do they match with the type of gutters that you need for your home. Usually seamless gutters which are professionally installed serve most beneficial.

• Gutter guards

In order to prevent yourself from cleaning gutters, gutter guards are a necessity. Spending so many hours in cleaning the gutters can be cumbersome too. Rotten leaves, mud, dust, insects, etc can clog your gutters if gutter guards are not present. So to prevent that, you must ask the contractor if they provide these guards.

Thus, a gutter installation is important for the safety of one’s home. If you are investing so much in this process, then make sure you make a prudent decision in choosing a professional gutter contractor.

When talking about the well-being of the home, gutters are an integral part. They are actually the unsung hero of the house. If maintained properly, they can go a long way and can protect you against rain and moisture-related problems. Well-maintained and high-quality gutters do last for a long time, but nothing lasts forever. Gutters also require replacement after a certain period. Read on the article to know the signs that tell its time for new gutters.

1. Seam Stress –

Traditional gutters have seams after every 10 feet. Such gutters are vulnerable at the seam, where two horizontal sections meet. Signs of stressed seams includes – separating of the seams, or bending of gutters. A minor problem can be fixed by re-applying the seam, but in worse cases, there is a need of complete gutter replacement.

Nowadays, seamless gutters are easily available in the market. So, whenever you plan to get new gutters installed, make sure that they are seamless.

2. Cracks in the gutter –

Small holes in the gutter can easily turn into big cracks. The cracks function as a hole at the bottom of the bucket. The water from the cracked gutter slowly seeps into the foundation of the house and weaken it. So never ignore the crack even if it is small in size. Be aware, as the cracks can defeat the purpose of the drainage system. Call the expert and get the new gutter installed on time.

3. Peeling of the paint –

Trust me on this; if your gutters are not functioning up to the mark, then they can seriously ruin the paint of your house. Keep a check on the paint of exterior siding of the house. If it has peeled away, then the possibility is there that the nearest gutter is not in good condition. If the paint is peeling from more than one area, then not the gutter repair but its replacement is required.

4. Mildew –

If you ever find mold or mildew in an area that used to remain dry earlier then damaged gutter is most likely the cause. If this problem persists there even after the repair of gutters, then it’s time to get the new gutters installed.

5. Rotten wood –

If the wooden windows and doors start rotting, then moisture is the reason behind it. The wooden material slowly becomes soft, and you have to get it replaced. It will even hurt your wallet. Who likes unwanted expenditures? None! So keep a check on the gutters of the home for any leak or crack. A little rotten exterior wood element can be the cause of malfunctioning gutters.

If you find any of the above-mentioned signs in your house, then get the gutters checked by a professional gutter repairing company immediately.

Are you planning to hire a gutter contractor for your new house?

If yes, then make sure you hire only an experienced and professional gutter contractor. To ascertain that you hire experts, the following are the questions that you should never forget to ask.

1. Do you have a license?

Having a license is proof that the company is allowed by authorities to extend particular services. You can even rely on the company easily if they are licensed.

2. Are you insured?

Prefer hiring a company that is insured; it is a sign of professionalism. You will be protected from any unwanted financial exposure in the future if they have insurance. So don’t forget to ask about the insurance papers.

3. Can you provide any references?

If the gutter installing company is experienced, then they will surely have references from the previous projects. And a company who believes in providing high-quality services to their customers will never hesitate in giving references. You can check the reviews of their past clients on their website or social media accounts.

4. In how much time the job will be completed?

Most of the gutter installation projects get completed in a day. But you should know this thing beforehand about how much time the company is going to take. Also, don’t forget to ask about the rescheduling procedure in case of bad weather.

5. Can you provide a cost estimate in writing?

A professional contractor will never say no to this question. He will provide you the details of all the materials that will be used for gutter installation along with the costing. So if you hear a no, then move to some other contractor.

6. Who will supervise the gutter installation process?

The person with whom you signed the contract might not be the one who will be present on site. So, don’t forget to ask about the project supervisor. After all, he is going to work at your place. If possible, meet that person. The behavior and communication skills of the supervisor will let you know if he is trustworthy and professional or not.

7. Will you use seamless gutters?

If the answer is yes, then make sure that the distance between the adjacent seams is not less than 10 feet. Lesser the seams, lower will be the chance of leaks to form.

8. Do you provide a warranty for your labor and products?

Find a contractor who is ready to stand behind the work of labors. A well-reputed company will always have well-trained and trustworthy staff. Furthermore, don’t forget to ask about the guarantee of the products that will be used. If possible, get it in writing.

9. Do you install gutter guards?

Gutter guards are really important if you don’t want to clean the gutters more often. Guards prevent leaves and debris from sliding into the gutters.

Collecting rainwater can be of great help to do so, one can use rain barrels. Rain barrels are containers that capture and stores rainwater from your rooftop. These barrels come in various shapes and size and is capable of storing 50 to 80 gallons of water, it also comes with a spigot that fills the watering cans. It is an excellent way of conserving water if you combine it with appropriate plant selection. Your home, garden, as well as the community as a whole, is benefitted from rain barrels. However, there are a few specific benefits, and they are as follows:

MONEY SAVER

Since rain barrels help store a lot of water, many homeowners save money on their water bills. Right from the garden to lawn irrigation, homeowners need gallons of water to make their plants survive the heat during summers, and by using rain barrels, they can save up to 1300 gallons of water during such seasons. You can further connect multiple barrels at the same time to capture rainwater. With rain barrels you no longer need to be dependent on the city’s water supply as it provides you with a free water source for irrigation.

HEALTHY PLANTS AS WELL AS SOIL

Tap water contains various inorganic ions and fluoride compounds that accumulate a lot of soil over time, which in turn harms the plant roots and micro-organisms present in the ground. But there is no such additives in rainwater like tap water. Hence, this helps the plants in your garden to grow as it cleans the salt build-up in the soil, it is very beneficial to plants as it provides them an apt environment that promotes root development.

REDUCES RUNOFF

Rain barrels are a great way to reduce the flow of storm runoff. During rain, runoff tends to pick up all the dirt, soil, oil, pesticide, and other toxic materials from hard surfaces to landscapes. Storm runoff doesn’t get treated and hence directly flow into streams, lakes and other freshwater bodies. This increases algae growth and endangers aquatic life. Furthermore, a lot of people go scuba diving as well as other recreational water activities in these waterbodies, growth of bacteria and algae risks their lives as well. Rain barrels on the other hand, stores water that would have swept from a hard surface to landscape, thereby minimizing runoff pollutants.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Now that you understand the significant benefits of a rain barrel, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Make sure that your rain barrel has a proper screen that separates debris out from the water. Furthermore, ensure that your barrel is appropriately covered and has a tight connection, which further prevents all sorts of mosquito breeding and algae buildups. In case you are concerned about roof contaminants, then it is recommended that you must empty the first collected rainwater. Also, do not use a rain barrel if your roof contains asbestos.

Lastly, your garden plants and soil can love rainwater, but it is not suitable for human consumption. So do keep that in mind.

When you buy a new house, you are darn excited about everything. However, just because your house is all new, that doesn’t mean that you would pay attention to regular maintenance and repairs. It is said that you must keep a small amount each year for home repairs.

Home repairs may include trimming trees, replacing windows, indoor carpeting, etc. But with such maintenance, you must also pay attention to your rooftop. Soffits and fascia are key elements of your roof, and they bear the heat, rainwater, storm, debris, animals, etc. all throughout the year, so it becomes imperative to make repairs time and again. However, how will you realize that your soffit and fascias need repair? Here are five signs that you should keep an eye out for.

SIGNS OF UNINVITED GUESTS

This usually occurs during cold winter months, your home acts as a beacon that attracts all kind of pests. If in the middle of the night you hear weird noises from your attic then be sure that there may be an issue in your soffit and fascia. Many pests and animals build their nests in these, which only creates a lot of disturbance. So keep an eye for such signs, and attend to such issues as soon as possible as it can cause expensive damage to your roof.

YOUR PAINT IS CRACKING AND FLAKING

The curb appeal is taken note of while selling or buying a house, but it is not just that. There is more to the picture than just looking pretty, if you see that there is some sort of flaking or cracked paint in your soffits and fascia, then you should be sure about the fact that it is time for a replacement. Make sure to attend to these issues, as this problem, along with bubbles in the paint can cause water to leak into your house premises, which further develops mold.

VENTILATION

Soffits are that part of the attic which helps to provide proper ventilation. They not only provide ventilation but also limits heat and moisture to enter as well as prevents the build-up of condensation. Hence, it saves your wooden items from rotting and maintains the efficiency of air conditioners. However, if there is a problem in the soffit, then there is a big question mark on your ventilation. Questionable ventilation means that your soffit needs a repair. It is sensible to look for a professional roofing company that will help you to repair your blocked or damages soffit and fascia.

LEAKY AND WOBBLY GUTTERS

The gutter helps to channel water outside the house, this further saves water from entering the foundation of your home. However, if you have leaky gutters, then it is time to invest in new soffits and fascia as they are the support system of your gutters and any damage in fascia or soffits will make your gutters of no use.

CHANCE OF ASBESTOS

Last but not least, asbestos is a very harmful and dangerous material; if you suspect the presence of this material, then call for professional help as soon as possible and get your fascia and soffits replaced. Experts will be able to examine your home and tell if it was used in your soffits and fascia. If confirmed, they will work with you for a safe removal plan.