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Author Alloy Gutter Categories Rain Posted on

The DIY Drain That Will Save You Thousands

Runoff from rain or melted snow can cause serious damage to your foundation and basement. The best solution to lead all that water away from your home? Head to your local home improvement store for a few supplies, and dig your own French drain. The job is a surprisingly simple. Start by digging a trench alongside the foundation where the water is pooling. It should be about a foot wide and at least two feet deep. Be sure to create a gradual slope in the direction you want the water to run. Add a few inches of crushed stone in the bottom of the trench, then lay down perforated PVC pipe. Before installing the pipe, it’s a good idea to wrap it in a layer of water-permeable landscaping fabric to keep dirt and roots from blocking the pre-drilled holes. Next, cover the pipe with gravel, stopping about three inches below the grade of your yard. Finish with a layer of sod to hide the drain. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • If the excess moisture is concentrated in your basement, remember that you can also install a French drain there too
  • The French drain is a classic, low-cost solution for water pooling around your foundation or in your basement.
  • Imported from Europe and popularized in Massachusetts.


    • "If the excess moisture is concentrated in your basement, remember that you can also install a French drain there too— as long as you have a sump pump to remove the water. It’s a lot more work, since you’ll need to cut through the concrete slab to before breaking out your shovel, but the concept is the same." Original Source: http://www.bobvila.com/articles/french-drains-101/


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    Author Alloy Gutter Categories Rain, Uncategorized Posted on

    How To Keep Mold and Mildew Away After Flooding

    To clean the mold and mildew in your home you need to take some precautions, if you have a serious problem of fungus on the walls, it may be better to seek the help of an expert. Make sure you wear eye protection, gloves and a mask for the face to avoid contact with the spores released by the fungus. Open windows or use a fan. Mold and mildew are the terror of most homes. Not least because they can be bad for your health. But luckily, you can use everyday cleaning products to end the fungi and prevent them to re-appear. In this case, it is important to go straight to the root of the problem. The mold usually grow in warm and humid environments without much air circulation. Since the mold is another type of fungus that can grow on the walls. It is characterized by patches that can spread quickly if not treated. In general, these fungi grow only by the ambient conditions. Other times, they may be the result of a storm or plumbing leaks inside or outside the home. The air conditioning piping, for example, can generate excessive moisture inside walls if it is not properly isolated. To find out if the dark area on your wall is actually mold or mildew, apply a little bleach in spots using a piece of cloth. If the stain clear after a few minutes, you found fungi. If not, probably its walls are just dirty.   KEY TAKEAWAYS:
    • There is something that people forget. All it needs is a little moist and a little dark space and it can grow so quickly.
    • It can be there and you won't know at all.
    • Your ceiling fan, very very good make sure you use in an counter clockwise position so it is creating the breeze throughout the house.
    "You think everything is clean and all of a sudden a month or so later you see just a kind of white specks and you wonder, it looks like dust on it and it is actually those mold spores that are growing, and sometimes it will be just as white as can be and other times is dark black mold." Original Source: http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/keeping-mold-and-mildew-away-after-flooding/

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    Author Alloy Gutter Categories Gutters, Rain, Water Management Posted on

    Water Always Wins – Unless You Give Alloy Gutter Company A Call

    Keeping your gutters clean and in good repair is not a task many of us enjoy. However, ignoring leaking or overflowing gutters can end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Let’s take a look at some of the many problems that occur from deferred gutter maintenance. Soil erosion is usually the first thing you will notice. This happens when gutters overflow and create a waterfall. The waterfall will soon leave you with a divot in your lawn. It can also turn into a muddy mess after a rainfall. A less noticeable issue is rotting fascia board. This happens when water flows behind the gutters and the fascia board becomes saturated. It doesn’t take long for the wood to rot and the gutters can actually pull away from or fall off of the house. Shortly after the soil erosion and rotting fascia board comes the wet basement. The water-saturated soil will eventually result in a swimming pool in your basement. This is the end result of deferred gutter maintenance or replacement. It really is quite simple to avoid all of the above issues. Keep your gutters clean and watch for eroded soil or water overflowing during rainstorms. Also, check your gutters to be sure they are securely attached to the house. If you notice any of these issues, give Alloy Gutter a call. We want to take care of any problems before you have water in your basement.

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    Author Alloy Gutter Categories Barrels, Go Green, Green Gutters, Rain, Uncategorized Posted on

    Going Green – Rain Barrels In 2012?

    Even if you do not give much thought to the big green machine, rain barrels can help you go green in more places than your environmental footprint, namely your wallet! Reasons to Consider Rain Barrels:
    • Rain water is naturally soft, so it is better for washing your car and watering indoor plants than tap water.
    • Save money! Use the water you've collected to water outdoor plants – reducing your water and sewage bill!
    • Saving your rain water is a good backup source of water for times of drought or in between rain showers.
    • Rain Barrels can help improve the aesthetics of your house, as they can be beautiful and add lots of character to your home and landscaping.
    Would you really save money?? YES! According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 40% of water consumption is used for garden and lawn irrigation. 538485173

    Save Money - Help the Environment - Be Kind To Your Plants


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