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Category Archives: Gutters

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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Gutters – An Unlikely Tourist Attraction

Do you like straying off the beaten path when traveling?  Do you enjoy seeing and hearing what artists, sculptors and designers do to create unusual building facades? If you seek a unique travel experience, be sure to check out the “singing drain pipes” of Dresden. Located in Dresden, Germany, is a series of courtyards known as Kunsthofpassage.  An art experiment known as the Ginkgo project resulted in 5 unique building facades. The most photographed one is The Courtyard of the Elements. This bright turquoise building is covered in a unique configuration of gutter pipes and funnels. In addition, this gutter system plays music when it rains! Alloy Gutter Company doesn't offer musical gutters. However, we may have you “singing in the rain” after installing your gutter system. If you want to hear drainpipe music you must travel to Germany. However, if you want the best gutter system available you can find it right here at Alloy Gutter Company!
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Tips for Choosing the Right Gutter Color for your Home

Let’s first start off with asking yourself if you can see the gutters from the curb.  If you are unable to see the gutters, the color may not matter to you.  If this is a situation your best option is to go with a basic color like white.  This may save you a little money and that’s always a plus. Another question to ask is whether or not you have any restrictions based on where you live.  Are you in a subdivision or belong to a homeowner’s association that restricts the color options?  These municipalities may have set rules regarding what exterior colors are allowed on your home.  You definitely don’t want to spend money on something you may have to remove at a later time. If you have no restrictions you may consider matching the color of your roof, the home’s exteriors walls or even the trim.  The goal of matching the roof is to draw attention away from the gutters.  Matching the roof color will make the gutters seem like they are an extension of the roof itself.  Some people choose to match their home’s exterior walls or trim.  Picking a color that accents your home could add to the overall visual appearance. Keep in mind that you can always paint your gutters at a later date if need be.  Alloy Gutter offers over 30 different color options for you to choose from.  Our gutter colors range from your standard colors to special order colors.  Give us a call and we would be more than happy to assist you with selecting a color.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

It’s All About That Pitch – Not Level

On rare occasions, someone with “eagle eyes” notices that their gutters are not perfectly level. They tell us that their gutters were hung with a slight incline and ask to have the problem corrected.  They are not aware that gutters are pitched for a reason. Alloy Gutter Company wants you to be happy with the aesthetics of your gutters but the most important thing is how well the gutters function. Gutters are meant to drain water away from your home’s foundation. In order for this to happen, the water has to flow toward the outlet hole and then flow down into the downspout. For proper drainage the gutters need to be pitched correctly. Make sure you call the gutter experts to get the job done right. Alloy Gutter has over thirty five years of experience installing gutters. We will make sure your gutters are installed with just the right amount of pitch – not level.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Does My House Need Gutters?

Occasionally, I get a phone call asking if all houses need gutters.  If a house has never had gutters are they really necessary?  How come the builder didn’t include gutters when the house was built? These inquiries are usually from someone contemplating the purchase of a home that has no gutters. The answer to their question is, “Alloy Gutter Company recommends that all homes have a properly functioning gutter system.” Gutters are a necessity for several reasons:
  • They discharge water away from the home’s foundation walls. Without proper drainage, the home’s foundation will be exposed to all the water runoff from the roof. Nobody wants a wet basement.
  • On homes that have a wide roof overhang, many people feel that gutters are not necessary because the roof water runoff is away from the foundation. However, when it rains it creates a waterfall effect along the roofline. Nobody wants a waterfall on their porch when leaving or entering their house during rainy weather.
  • Without gutters your foundation plantings take a beating. The waterfall effect will erode the soil and create a muddy mess.
How come the house never had gutters? Most likely it was simply a way to cut costs. However, why risk a wet/musty basement, a waterfall on your porch and damaged landscaping? Give Alloy Gutter Company a call and we will provide you with a quote for new gutters. Often, for less money than you think.  As a bonus, once we install your new gutter system, all of your showers will now be taken inside the house!
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Alloy Gutter, Gutters Posted on

Searching for Gargoyles?

Water management has been important throughout history, it was essential for building maintenance and sanitation. Water drainage is even a part of Roman mythology. Cloacina is the goddess of the sewers. She dates back to 47 AD, at that time the Romans first introduced drains to Britain. Few people are familiar with how rain gutters have evolved. This timeline shows the evolution of today’s gutter system:
  • 1066: English towns and churches are being rebuilt after the Norman invasion. Gutters on churches are constructed with gargoyles.
  • 1240: The Tower of London has a downpipe erected to protect the whitewashed walls.
  • Middle Ages: Drainage disputes become one of the most frequent cases heard by authorities.
  • 1539: The start of the appearance of rainwater goods on grand houses. Cisterns and hopper heads are crafted from lead.
  • 1709: Cast iron replaces lead for rainwater goods.
  • 1939 – 1945: Plastic replaces cast iron for gutters and downspouts.
  • 1960’s: A seamless gutter machine is invented and aluminum is now used for gutters.
It’s interesting to look back and see how far we have progressed but I appreciate that we are now way beyond the time of the gargoyles! Occasionally, we get calls asking if Alloy Gutter Company makes aluminum seamless gutters. All of our gutters are both aluminum and seamless. If you are looking for a gutter company who can offer you the best in today’s materials and installation give Alloy Gutter Company a call. If you are looking for gargoyles, check out the old churches in England!
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Expansion Joints

Did you know that aluminum expands and contracts when the temperature fluctuates?  This movement is minimal and does not warrant any special installation procedures for most gutter jobs.  However, Alloy Gutter Company occasionally gets asked to install seamless gutters that have very long runs. Because we are the gutter experts, (with over 35 years of experience) Alloy knows when expansion joints are needed and how to properly install them. Every job is unique and our installers will do a site analysis to determine your specific needs. If necessary, a lap type expansion joint will be installed. This will bridge together two sections of gutter and allow them to move independently. This eliminates any concern about the aluminum buckling due to temperature changes. Whatever size job, Alloy Gutter Company is here to take care of all your gutter needs. Give us a call with any questions or special concerns. We are the gutter experts for jobs both large and small.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Alloy Gutter, Gutters Posted on

Does Alloy Gutter Provide Gutter Estimates?

A quick call is all it takes to get a price on gutters. During the initial phone call, we will gather your general information and ask you a few questions about the scope of work needed. Of course, Alloy Gutter offers free estimates and you don’t even need to be at home when we come out! Your initial paperwork will be turned over to an estimator who will visit the job site. At this time, he will take measurements and photos. The estimator will return to our office and put together your quote. He will email or fax you a copy of the quote and give you a call to see if you have any questions or are ready to schedule the job. If needed, any revisions to the proposal can be done at this time. A common question we hear is, “How soon can you install my new gutters?”  In many cases, Alloy Gutter Company can quote and do your job the same day or next day. We will need to know your color choice and have the scope of work approved before starting your job.  Once we confirm the details of the job, we are able to get you scheduled fast.  Give Alloy Gutter Company a call and you will be amazed how quickly we can provide a quote and install your new gutters!
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters Posted on

Getting Crafty With Gutters

I’m always amazed by all the artsy/creative people out in the blogosphere. They never seem to run out of great ideas. They take the most unlikely objects and turn them into useful things for the home. Recently I went on Pinterest and searched “gutters;” I found gutter projects that are both doable and usable.

Many versions of outdoor planters are shown. Most of these gutter planters are attached to fences or hanging from chains. Herbs seem to be the most widely used plants. Typically, gutters hold rainwater but these now have drainage holes for the plants.

Another idea is to use gutters indoors as bookshelves. The photos often show them in children’s rooms. They can be cut to any length to create custom shelving units.

Can you think of any new uses for gutters? Here at Alloy Gutter Company we are sticking with what we do best; protecting your home’s exterior from moisture damage. However, you if come up with a crafty gutter idea, let us know and Alloy would be happy to share it on this blog!

Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutter Repair, Gutters Posted on

Does Alloy Gutter Company Repair Gutters?

Yes, we can repair your gutters. Alloy Gutter gets many inquiries about gutter repair work. The following is a list of most frequently asked questions: Do I need new gutters or can the old ones be repaired? You need to take into consideration how much repair work is needed. If it’s just a small area that needs repair and the rest of the gutter system is working well, then repair work may be the way to go. However, if there are many areas needing work then replacement of the entire system is usually best. What is the cost difference between repairing my existing gutters and replacement gutters? Sometimes the price difference is not as much as you may think. Patching together multiple areas of an existing gutter system can be labor intensive. For that reason Alloy Gutter often quotes new gutter systems when the cost of repairing the old ones is not much of a savings over the cost of new gutters. What are some of the advantages of new gutters versus repairing old gutters? One of the biggest advantages of putting on new gutters can be summed up in one word “WARRANTY.” Our crews will do their best to repair your existing gutters. However, we are unable to guarantee repair work done on old gutters. Of course, Alloy Gutter’s new gutters do come with a warranty. Many people don’t want to replace their gutters when they are thinking of selling their house. But with most home buyers getting professional home inspections the condition of the gutter system will be noted. An older gutter system that has been cobbled together is not nearly as appealing to a buyer as a new gutter system. Alloy Gutter Company is able to provide you with a quote for both repair and replacement of gutters. Give Alloy a call at (734) 374-2100 or contact us, and we will be ready to discuss your options. Whatever way you decide to go, Alloy Gutter is here to help you make the decision that is best for you.
Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutter Blog, Gutters Posted on

Gutter Cleaning: Don’t Put Me Up on the Roof Anymore

122405691That is not the title of a country western song. These are the words of my daughter who used to be my gutter cleaner.  But allow me to start at the beginning of the story. I live in a neighborhood with lots of trees…BIG Sycamore trees. Never plant a Sycamore tree.  They are dirty trees that drop their huge leaves constantly. Because of this, my gutters needed cleaning every 2 weeks, I am NOT exaggerating! Cleaning gutters involves climbing a ladder and I don’t do ladders.  However, my daughter has no fear of heights and actually likes climbing up on the roof.  Together we would drag out the ladder, she would climb up on the roof and I would help her navigate the garden hose. She would be up on the rooftop, waving hello to our neighbors. I would have both my feet firmly planted on the ground. But I was a very nervous mom watching from below. However, a few years ago I lost my gutter girl; she got married and moved on to clean out her own gutters. I had no choice but to pay to have my gutters cleaned. This was going to get very expensive because of my constantly shedding tree. At that time, I decided to do some research on leaf protection products for my gutters. I found out that several of Alloy’s employees have the strainer style of leaf protection on their own gutters and they highly recommended it. Three years ago I had strainer leaf protection installed on my gutters and they have remained debris free ever since. How do I know this?  My gutter girl wanted to make one last trip up on the roof for old time’s sake. She climbed back up and took a good look at the gutters and yelled down to me, while I watched from the ground, “mom it’s all clear up here.”  But she still laughs about how her “mama used to put her up on the roof” every two weeks. Give Alloy Gutter Company a call and stop the never ending job of gutter cleaning. It’s one of the best home improvement projects you can do. The money spent on leaf protection has already paid for itself after only 3 years!
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