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Builder's License: #2101068252 | Contact Us: (734) 374-2100 | West Michigan: (616) 554-1575 | Fax: (734) 374-2218

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Seamless Gutters Posted on

10 Signs You Need New Gutters!

Professionally installed seamless gutters are vital to your house. The main function of gutters is to redirect rainwater and melting snow away from your foundation as it flows off the roof. If there are no gutters to collect that runoff, water could wander into areas of your house where you clearly do not want it to go.

seamless-gutters We suggest you do not ignore gutters problems. Ignoring the problem now could lead to expensive fixes later. Repairs could also be more costly than just replacing the whole gutter system. If you observe the following signs, they might be an indication that your gutters need to be repaired or replaced.
  1. Gutters that are pulling away from the house
  2. Foundation Cracks
  3. Water in the Basement
  4. Gutters that are rusty, dented, or leaking
  5. Eroding/Damaged landscaping
  6. Stains on the gutters themselves
  7. Standing water in gutters
  8. Mold around the foundation and in the basement
  9. Peeling paint around the gutters
  10. Holes in the gutters
At Alloy Gutter we take pride in our quality gutter services. If you are experiencing any of these issues we will be glad to get you a free estimate and work with you to get your problems solved.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutter Replacement, Gutters Posted on

3 Signs Your Gutters Need Replacing

Gutter-Replacement3 Signs your gutters need replacing that you might never have thought of. . . 1. When it rains, you can hear water smacking the ground – This normally indicates that your gutters are not draining properly and that the water if pouring over the sides. Your gutters might be misaligned or blocked by debris. Sometimes this is an easy fix where you only have to have your gutters cleaned. But, sometimes it may indicate that you need to look at replacing your gutters, especially if this is happening in more than one area on your house. 2. You’re finding nails or broken fasteners on the ground – This normally indicates that your gutters are loose. If a big storm/wind comes, it could take your gutters with it. Sometimes all that needs to be done is to have your gutters re-secured. But, more often than not and depending on the reason why your gutters were loose in the first place, you may need to have them replaced. 3. When you look at your gutters, you can see gaps between the gutters and the fascia board – This normally indicates that your gutters are pulling away from your house and that the water is probably getting to close to the outside of your home. This can lead to problems with your foundation, basement leaking, and even ruining your landscaping. You would need to get these replaced/repaired as soon as possible to avoid long term issues.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Ice Dams, Winter Posted on

Insulate to Eliminate Ice Dams And Save Money Later

Two summers ago, my mother decided to have additional insulation installed in her attic. Her timing was perfect because last winter was one of the coldest on record. Alloy Gutter Company received numerous calls inquiring about icicles and ice dams during this frigid weather. It’s not unusual for people to blame their gutters for their icicle problem. However, insulating your house is the best preventative against ice dams. ice-dam-prevention My brother was out in her backyard, blowing the snow, when he noticed something interesting. He could see that all of the other houses had icicles hanging from their gutters. Her gutters had NO icicles. She had insulated her attic in order to help keep the upstairs bedroom warmer but the bonus was that it prevented the ice damming that all her neighbors were experiencing. If you want more information on what causes ice dams, we do explain it in more detail on this website. For most of us, the icicles are a minor annoyance. However, we can come out and apply calcium chloride in order to help melt the ice if leaking becomes a problem. As usual, Alloy Gutter Company will be here for you all winter long.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutter Pitch Posted on

Proper Pitching of Gutters: When Being Level Is Wrong

Proper-Gutter-Pitching

The main purpose of gutters is to keep water away from the foundation as much as possible. Gutters need to be properly pitched toward the available downspout in order for the water to flow correctly. The general rule of thumb is that for every 10 feet of gutter you’ll want at least a quarter of an inch slope. Fun Fact: the seasoned installers here at Alloy Gutter usually carry a marble in their pockets and after installing your gutters they place the marble inside to ensure the gutters are pitched properly. If the marble does not roll at a slow pace towards the downspout, he will make the necessary adjustments.

Every once in awhile we will receive a call from a customer stating that there is water standing in their gutters. If this is the case for you, or if you’re experiencing another problem, we will be happy to come out and take care of it. Give us a call (734-374-2100 –Taylor, MI or 616-554-1575 – Grand Rapids, MI) We are here to serve you Monday through Friday from 6am to 5pm. Our office is fully staffed which means no answering machines during business hours. If calling isn’t your thing shoot us an email (alloygutterco@aol.com). You can also leave a message on our website found here.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutter Repair, Gutters Posted on

Importance of Checking Your Gutters

gutter-drainage Working at Alloy Gutter I’ve learned exactly what I should be looking for when I have any gutter issues. I recently purchased a house and immediately noticed that I would have to fix the gutters as soon as possible. The previous owner had put in a nice patio but had failed to reroute the gutters so that the downspouts don’t pour out on the patio. There are a number of things that can happen when downspouts are pouring out onto a patio. If the water is able to get under the patio you’ll start to notice that your patio will have a green tinge. This is from the water not being able to complete dry under the patio. The moisture will be trapped causing mold to start growing. Another issue that will arise is ice forming all over the patio. During the winter months when the water is sitting on the patio, it will eventually freeze and you will have a nice ice rink. It was important to take note of these things as I made the biggest purchase of my life thus far. I came into work the next day and asked if they could take care of the issues and they were out that very day. If you want things taken care of quickly, such as your gutters, then Alloy Gutter is the right fit for you. Give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutter Material, Gutters Posted on

Brackets vs. Spikes: Choosing The Best Gutter Fastener for the Job

Today, most aluminum gutters are attached to the house with brackets. However, many old timers remember when spikes were the standard fastening method. On rare occasions, we get a call asking for spikes. Alloy Gutter Company does recommend using brackets but the choice is yours. Gutter brackets are commonly referred to as hidden hangers. The brackets use screws instead of nails. Using screws provides a much more secure connection to the roof or fascia board. Temperature changes have little to no affect on the brackets. Gutter spikes are long nails that are hammered inside the gutter and attached to the fascia board. Gutter-Brackets-vs-Spikes Changes in temperature can cause the spikes to expand and contract. After a while, they can pull out of the fascia board. The fix for this is to pound them back into the fascia board. However, most of the time the nail hole has enlarged and the spike pops back out again. If you have ANY gutter questions give Alloy Gutter Company a call. We have been in business for over thirty five years. Way back in the day before there were brackets!
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Clogged Gutters, Gutters, Leaves In Gutters Posted on

Clean the Gutters – Evict the Critters

Are your gutters doing their intended job of keeping rain water away from the foundation of your house or have they become a habitat for small animals? Debris in gutters makes great nesting material for small animals like birds and squirrels. Also, mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Don’t be that neighbor who provides the critters and bugs a condo. The most effective way to discourage critters from nesting in your gutters is to keep them clean. Leaf-Guard-Protection Gutters that are debris free and dry between rain showers are your best defense against pests. However, we occasionally get a call asking for advice on how to stop birds from nest building in their clean gutters. Most of the callers say that they have tried everything. However, birds can be VERY persistent. Leaf protection products will usually hinder the nest builders. Also, you will be able to stop the never ending job of cleaning the gutters. Have Alloy Gutter Company install leaf protection on your house. Alloy can stop debris from getting into your gutters AND evict the critters!
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Alloy Gutter Posted on

A Finishing Touch

Half a century ago, many stately homes and churches used scupper boxes as part of their standard gutter systems. At that time, scupper boxes were necessary to control the large volume of water flowing off the massive buildings. Today we rarely have an actual need for scupper boxes. However, some architects specify them for their decorative appeal. Alloy Gutter Company occasionally gets a request to include scupper boxes on a job.  We are a full service gutter company and can install this ornamental embellishment for you. If you want your "castle” to have the look of a classic gutter system, give Alloy Gutter Company a call.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Alloy Gutter Posted on

HELP…My Basement is Leaking!

“My basement is leaking and I need someone to come out right away and fix my gutters.”  We occasionally get phone calls that start with these words. The following is a list of questions we will ask you to determine if your gutters are the problem or if it may be something else:

  • Are your gutters clean or do you have a waterfall coming from your gutters when it rains?
  • Are you sure the downspouts are not clogged and water is flowing from them during heavy rainfall?
  • Do all the downspouts have at least 3’ extensions?
  • Are the gutters leaking?
  • Are the gutters free of standing water/correctly pitched?

If you can answer yes to all these questions, you don’t have a gutter problem.  You will need to contact a company that specializes in basement leaks. However, once your basement is dry again, the staff at Alloy Gutter Company wants to help you keep your gutter system operating properly. Make sure to call Alloy for any gutter cleaning or repair work you may need in the future.

Author Alloy Gutter Categories Alloy Gutter Posted on

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Word

We occasionally get a phone call that starts with the caller describing an unusual situation. They want to make us aware of a specific problem area. Because it’s important for us to have a clear understanding of what you are describing, it’s very helpful if you can send us a photo.  Just email it to us at alloygutterco@aol.com.

The office staff at Alloy Gutter Company is constantly monitoring our email account so that we can update information that is needed for jobs and quotes. Our experienced staff will take a look at the photo and get back to you promptly. In most cases, the unusual situation turns out to be something we have dealt with many times.

After over thirty five years in business, Alloy Gutter Company has the experience to troubleshoot any special needs. Give us a call, send us your pictures and we will make your gutter troubles a thing of the past!

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