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Category Archives: Gutters

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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!

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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!

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Material Drops

Alloy Gutter Company provides material drops for both contractors and homeowners wanting to install their own gutters.  We will need some information from you so that we can provide you with an estimated price BEFORE we get to your job site. Also, this will assure that we have all the items that you need loaded on our truck. The following is a list of information we will need:
  • WHEN do you need the material drop
  • WHERE do you want the material dropped (the address)
  • What COLOR gutters
  • TOTAL length of all the gutters
  • Number of downspout pipes
  • Number of A & B elbows
  • Number of inside and outside miters
  • Number of left and right end caps
  • Number of brackets
  • Number of outlets
  • Rivets (do you need them?)
  • Caulk (do you need it?)
Don’t be too concerned if your measurements are not exact. We will measure everything up once we arrive on site. We will make any adjustments that are necessary before running off any materials. Your quoted price will be adjusted according to the final amount of material that is run off. Of course, Alloy Gutter Company installs gutters. However, if you’re a contractor who wants to install your own gutters or a DIY homeowner, give Alloy a call. Depending on the color and location, most material drops can be done on the same day or the next day!

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Common Gutter Problems

The most common gutter problem we hear about is clogged gutters.  Clogged Gutters can cause a number of problems for homeowners.  Your gutters can get so clogged that they will be rendered useless.  The weight of the debris can actually cause your gutters to sag and pull away from your house.  Debris in you gutters can also create a solid bridge causing water to cascade over the gutters ruining your foundation.  We recommend you get your gutters cleaned at LEAST once a year to avoid such problems and if you have many trees around home we would suggest you get them cleaned twice a year.  If you choose to do nothing it will likely result in some expensive repair costs.  Another suggestion we often tell our customers is to install leaf protection.  We offer 3 different types which can suit your needs. Another very common problem we receive about gutters is leaking at the corners.  This problem can easily be fixed by sealing the corners from the inside with gutter sealant.  Small holes in the gutters can also be repaired with the gutter sealant.  If you have a larger hole you will require a patch.  Again, if leaks are not taken care of your foundation will start to erode away causing you some expensive repair bills. We receive many calls for improperly pitched gutters. What this means is that the water is not draining properly into the downspouts and is collecting in the gutters themselves.  If you notice that you are experiencing any of these problems call Alloy Gutter Company to take care of them.  We will gladly come out and give you a free estimate.

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Home Inspections and Gutters

Are you purchasing a new home? If so, you are most likely going to have the property inspected before signing the final paperwork. One of the most crucial things every house needs is a properly functioning gutter system. The following is a list of things that the gutter portion of your home inspection should include:
  • gutters should be free of clogs
  • gutters should not have holes or gaps at the joints
  • gutters should not be sagging or pulling away from the house
  • gutters should be properly pitched
  • downspout drains should have extensions
The gutters will be unable to do their job if anything on this list needs to be corrected. You don’t want to put off any necessary repair work; improper water drainage can damage the structural integrity of your new house. This could result in thousands of dollars of damage. Let Alloy Gutter Company repair or replace the gutters BEFORE you move into your new home. With over thirty five years of experience, we are the company to call. Congratulations on your new place!

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Estimate, Gutters Posted on

Do I have to be Home for my Gutter Estimate?

Every day at Alloy Gutter I receive many calls for estimate requests.  Numerous people ask if they have to be home when our estimator comes out, and our answer is no.  If you have any questions prior to us coming out we will write that information down for the estimator. Of course, if you prefer to meet we would be glad to do so.  Our seasoned estimator goes around the outside perimeter of your home measuring the length of gutter that is needed along with how many downspouts should be purchased.  The estimator then draws a detailed diagram and takes several photos of your home and sends it into our estimating department. These diagrams and photos allow our estimator to reference particular parts of your home while also viewing actual pictures. From there, our estimators can go over in detail with you any questions you have about your gutter placement.

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Gutter Terminology 101

Downspout - A pipe for conveying rain water from a roof or gutter to the ground or to a drain. Downspout Extensions – Are just what they sound like.  They extend the downspout to drain the water farther away from your foundation. Elbow - Elbows are fittings that attach to the downspout. One end of the gutter elbow is crimped so that it can fit inside another elbow or downspout.  Elbows come in to styles A or B.  An "A" style elbow refers to an elbow that, when attached to a downspout, angles the downspout frontwards and backwards.  A "B" style elbow refers to an elbow that, when attached to a downspout, angles the downspout from right to left or from left to right (sideways). End Cap – Is a flat formed piece that is placed at the end of a gutter section. Expansion Joint – A joint in a long run of gutter designed to allow for thermal expansion and contraction. The experts at Alloy Gutter Company will determine when an expansion joint is necessary. Fascia Board – is a wooden board that covers the ends of rafters. Flashing – is a strip of metal used to stop water from penetrating the junction of a roof with another surface. Gutter – is a shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater. Gutter Pitch – is to ensure that the gutters drain properly toward the downspout. Miter – is a joint made between two pieces of gutter material at an angle of 90°, such that the line of junction bisects this angle.  There are two types of miters, inside or outside. Outlet – is a cut made in a run of gutter so a downspout can fit in its place.

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Are my Gutters Pitched Correctly?

Your gutters serve one purpose and that purpose is to direct water away from your foundation.  They are a vital feature in defending the structural integrity of your house.  So how do you know if your gutters are pitched correctly?  We recommend that you look inside the gutter to see if there is any standing water.  Standing water is a tall tell tale that your gutters need to be re-pitched. Gutters should be pitched toward a downspout for the water to flow properly.  You will want at least a quarter inch of a slope for every 10 feet. Long runs of gutters are intentionally high in the middle so water flows toward downspouts at each end.  If a gutter has too much slope, it will flood the downspouts, and there's a very good possibility that the gutter will overflow at the low end leading to the foundation to erode by the downspouts. If you are experiencing standing water or are noticing that your gutters are constantly overflowing causing your foundation to wash away, give the guys at Alloy Gutter a call right away.  We will be more than happy to come out and take care of the problem for you.

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Why Is It Important To Keep Your Gutters Clean?

Clean gutters are your number one defense against many problems that could arise with clogged gutters.  Your gutters have one job and that is to control the water around your home.  If leaves and twigs prevent your gutters from doing their job you could wind up paying for some serious repairs. GutterCleaning Some issues that can arise from clogged gutters: Cracked Foundations – This is the number one reason to keep those gutters clean!  If excess water is constantly coming in contact with your foundation wall this can weaken the foundation and lead to cracks.  This can lead to severe cracks in the winter from the constant freezing and thawing. Rotten Fascia Board – When your gutters are clogged with debris water will start backing up against your fascia board around the house causing it to rot.  The rotting will only continue to get worse if the gutters are not cleaned properly. Icy Driveway and Sidewalks – If this water is not being directed to the proper areas because of the clog, you will end up water depositing on nearby sidewalks and your driveway.  During the winter months this can cause some slippery conditions and a major liability issue for not only yourself but your visitors as well. While these are only a few problems that can arise there are many others you should be aware of such as leaky basements, washed out landscapes and an increase of insects.  If you are comfortable cleaning your gutters yourself we stress the importance of safety first.  Watch out for electrical lines, bees’ nests and proper ladder placement.  If not, give the professionals at Alloy Gutter a call to take care of your clogged gutters right away.

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

What Size Are Your Gutters?

Alloy Gutter Company offers 2 different sizes of gutters.  We have 5 and 6 inch gutters. These gutters come in 2 styles; we offer K-Style and Half Round.  5” K-style Gutters are commonly used for residential houses, while 6” is commonly used for commercial buildings.  This is not always the case however, if your house gets quite a lot of rainfall we would recommend a 6” gutter to collect all that rain.  To determine the size of the gutter you will need to measure from the back to the front of the gutter mouth or opening, as shown in the diagram below. Pictured below are the different types of gutters we offer.  Both styles come in either 5” or 6”, whichever suits your needs.

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