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More About Removing Icicles From Your Gutters

By rempferconstruction
Jan-27-2017
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters
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Last week we discussed removing icicles from your gutters, learn more about removing icicles from your gutters. Check out last week’s article here. Insulation – Heat can escape into the attic from the interior of your home through a number of avenues. Lighting fixtures in your ceilings, poorly laid or insufficient insulation allow excess heat to enter your attic, but it’s the latter two that you need to inspect for and address, since you have to keep insulation away from the fixtures. R-Values have increased over the years so you might stop ice dams by simply rolling extra insulation over what you have installed now. Pay particular attention to the edges of your attic and any space between rafters that might have been missed or removed in the past. Circulation – Another cause of excess heat in the attic is poor circulation. Depending on the home, some attics may have a vent/fan installed in the wall of the attic to maintain a proper internal temperature in relation to the external temperature. If you home is lacking proper circulation, you can speak with a local builder about installing baffles. A baffle is a channel run from your attic through the insulation to the soffit on your roof eave. This allows the cold air from outside to enter the attic and maintain a proper temperature. This can also help to stop ice dams from building up. (source) If you notice that your gutters are pulling away from your home contact a professional ( Like Gutters & Guards) to tighten up your gutters to ensure that they won’t cause more damage to your home. For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: Charlottesville Virginia, Construction and Maintenance, damage, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, ice, Lynchburg Virginia, winter

Removing Icicles From Gutters

By rempferconstruction
Jan-20-2017
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters
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Removing Icicles From Gutters. Icicles overhanging your roof may look like a scene from movie, but they can cause a lot of trouble. If left alone, the icicles may melt and refreeze into ice dams or may fall and cause injury to you, your family or guests. When a long-term warm-up is not in the forecast take steps to remove icicles yourself. We do not suggest you climb a ladder and bang them off your gutters with a hammer but rather take some preventative measures to ensure no heavy ice hang down. We have a few tips on preventing icicles and hopefully keeping your home from forming ice dams. Proper Exhaust – Many appliances and rooms in your home produce heat. The kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms all produce excess heat, and if the exhaust from these areas aren’t properly insulated and caulked, heat can escape into the attic. Maintaining the ducts from these areas is crucial in the fight to stop ice dams and icicles. Roof Raking – One simple solution is to remove the snow from the roof yourself. Many hardware stores carry snow rakes, a telescoping tool to manually remove the snow from the roof before ice dams form. Keep in mind that these rakes should never be used while on a ladder, but are effective at freeing your roof of snow. Using a rake to remove snow right after a storm will stop ice dams before they every have a chance to form and keep you from trying to rake heavy, crusty snow which makes the job much harder to do. (Source) Check Out Part 2 of removing icicles from gutters on January 27th! For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: Construction and Maintenance, damage, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, Home repair, ice, Lynchburg Virginia, winter

Gutters Pulling Away From Home

By rempferconstruction
Aug-24-2016
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Soffit & Fascia
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Why are my Gutters Pulling Away From Home? This is a very common question that we are often asked and issue we run into. Gutters pulling away from home can be caused by a couple things. Fascia board can be rotten or the gutters could be weighted down ( by debris or water) making them sag. If gutters start to sag in the winter, it could be because of snow especially if there was a lot of accumulation. The gutter system should make sure that the water moves off and away from your home but they do require maintenance. We suggest gutter cleanings at least twice a year, more if there are a lot of trees around your home. Gutters are secured to the fascia board with spikes or hangers. We, at Gutters & Guards, use hidden hangers. These hangers are not visible from the ground and in our opinion, they are much stronger than spikes. A couple ways you can prevent this is by installing gutter guards or by cleaning your gutters. If you notice that your gutter are not properly draining, check them and see if they are holding water. Clean gutters make it easier to tell if your gutters are holding water because of failing fascia board. Taking care of the gutter system on your home is one of the ways to preserve the life of your home. It also adds resale value to your home, as the curb appeal is increased. Gutters should never pull away from the home. Instead, they should remain flush with the edge of the roof and be clear of any debris and standing water. For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: Construction and Maintenance, damage, Debris, gutter check up, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, Lynchburg Virginia, summer, Virginia

Bees And Gutters

By rempferconstruction
Aug-18-2016
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters
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Summertime brings the bees. That means being more careful when you are working outside and around the house. Bees and gutters are a common area where they can build a nest or on a roof eave. Common areas that you will find nests are behind the fascia, gable vents, peaks, eaves, awnings and other small areas. They can be pretty easy to spot depending on the location, if not consult a professional. If you happen to randomly come upon a nest, don’t panic. Quickly just walk away or slowly go down the ladder. Acting frantically or moving quickly can be dangerous, especially if you are high in the air. Removing the can be a bit more difficult. If you are allergic to bees, hire a professional. It’s not worth it. If not, you can dress in thick clothes, gloves, hat, googles, etc. to protect yourself. The best time to protect yourself is in the evening, they are most inactive. One application or pesticide or spray should do the trick. Monitor their activity and once the hive is inactive, remove it and if the hive was in an area where bees should not be, caulk or make that area inaccessible. In the event of a sting, the first thing to do is remain calm and balanced. Ask your pharmacist ahead of time for medication that will counteract the pain and swelling from a sting. And of course, if the situation feels serious, do not hesitate to call 911. For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: clogged gutters, Construction and Maintenance, damage, Downspout, gutter check up, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, summer, Virginia

Gutter Guard Maintenance

By rempferconstruction
Aug-16-2016
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters, MasterShield
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Gutter guards are a great way to help keep debris out of your gutters, but a little gutter guard maintenance is needed. Depending on the type of gutter guards you have, debris can get stuck on them. Mesh guards can get sappy and debris and harden onto of the screen. Plants & Other Things Growing From Your Gutters If you really allow your gutter guards to take care of debris and do not check them at least once a year, you may find that seeds, or debris can make it into your gutter and even start to grow! We suggest that you check your gutter (even with guards/covers) at least once a year for any signs of failure. Problems such as gutters pulling away from your home, or damage to your covers, can cause larger issues in the future. Large branches that land on your roof can cause debris back up and damage your gutters too. Sticky Gutter Guards Tree sap and other natural gooey substances can make your gutter covers sticky. Mastershield Gutter Guards guarantee a no clog and that they can clean off any sticky substance (Learn more). Other gutter guards and covers do not have that guarantee and sap can accumulate on your gutter guards. To clean off the sap or other sticky substances: Dampen a rag with mineral spirits and rub the affected area until the sap is removed. Wash the item with soap and water after the sap is removed to get rid of any remnants of the mineral spirits. Soak a cotton ball with nail polish remover and gently rub the hardened sap until it is removed. Wash the metal surface with soap and water. Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the sap-splattered area until all of the sap is dissolved. Wash the metal object with soap and water. (source) Dried Debris In the summer, rain will move debris off the trees and on your roof. Lighter storms won’t move larger debris as fast such as leaves and twigs. Then with the fast drying from the heat and sun, it can bake leaves on your gutters. An easy clean for this is to take a soft bristle brush and water hose and rake the debris off. For a free estimate on gutter guard maintenance, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: clogged gutters, Construction and Maintenance, damage, Debris, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, Home repair, Lynchburg Virginia, Materials and Supplies, summer, Virginia

Spring Gutter Cleaning & Repairs

By rempferconstruction
Apr-8-2016
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters
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Spring Gutter Cleaning & Repairs Spring Gutter Cleaning & Repairs are important to put on your Spring cleaning list. With budding branches and shedding dead debris, our gutters can find themselves filled mid-spring. Spring is also a rainy season. Clogged issues cause issues that may have arise in the winter months. For gutter cleaning, we have a general rule of thumb. If you are uncomfortable with heights or maybe some of your gutters are just a little too high, call a professional. If you are DIY gutter cleaning this spring, please use proper ladder safety, mind the power lines and wear sturdy shoes. Gutter Cleaning is messy work. If you have a clogged downspout to clean make sure to wear protective eyewear to avoid any dirty water or debris from getting in your eyes. Any repair work we STRONGLY suggest you call a professional. If you are thinking about installing gutter guards on your home, spring is the perfect time to do so. For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Gutters & Guards experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: clogged gutters, Construction and Maintenance, damage, Debris, Downspout, gutter check up, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, injury prevention, Lynchburg Virginia, Rain gutter, spring, Spring cleaning, Virginia

Frozen Downspouts

By rempferconstruction
Dec-10-2015
Damage Prevention, Gutters
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Frozen Downspouts Frozen Downspouts. Ice happens in the winter months. You cannot prevent mother nature for happening but you can prevent the amount of build up that is left to freeze. Frozen downspouts can happen and when they do, this is the best course of action to take. Frozen downspouts; Now what to do. Typically in this part of Virginia, a cold snap doesn’t last too long unless there is snow involved. Check the weather. If the temperatures are rising above freezing in a couple days, let it go. As long as your gutters are clean and free of debris you should be fine and the ice will melt and water will move away from your home, like normal. If the ice is building up at the bottom of your downspout, clear the snow away from it and this will give the ice/water room to move. If the weather seems like it will be at or below freezing for a while. Take some action. Heavy frozen ice can cause a lot of damage and put A LOT of weight on your gutters. As the weight increases the odds of your gutters or downspouts tearing away from your home go up. This can lead to bigger fixes such as water leaks or improper drainage. A good way to unthaw a downspout that has frozen at the bottom is by using VERY hot water to melt it. If it’s frozen throughout the downspout, you can climb a ladder and pour water into the top, which can unthaw mild ice buildup. If the inside doesn’t work, try the OUTSIDE of the downspout. Never use force because this can truly mess up your downspout. Also never climb a ladder in wet conditions. It’s too dangerous and never worth the risk. For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: Construction and Maintenance, damage, Debris, Downspout, ice, injury prevention, Lynchburg Virginia, Materials and Supplies, Mother Nature, Weather, winter

Proper Ladder Safety

By rempferconstruction
Dec-4-2015
Damage Prevention, Gutters
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Proper Ladder Safety Proper Ladder Safety is a vitally important part of home maintenance. A step between a job well done and very serious injury or death. It’s no joke. All of our professional practice ladder safety and perform safety inspections to ensure that every job is followed safely. We have a few tips to help you, especially if you are DIY gutter cleaning, practice proper ladder safety and keep yourself safe. We first start out by inspecting our ladders. Prior to using a ladder we check it to make sure that it is: Free Of Cracks, Splits, Corrosion And Any Protruding Nails,screws And/or Splinters. Make Sure All Steps/rungs Are Free Of Oil/grease Or Any Other Slippery Substance Steps/rungs Firmly Attached To Side Rails And Not Broken. Safety Feet/base And Other Hardware ( Screws,etc) Are In Good Condition. Movable Parts Operate Smoothly Without Binding Or Excessive Play Ropes Are In Good Condition ( For Our Extension Ladders) After ensuring that our ladder is up to safe use standards we look at: The Location Set The Ladder Up And Away From Accidentally Be Stuck Or Displaced. If Needed, Barricade Off A Highly Visible Safety Zone In Occupied Work Areas, And Walkways. Ladders Should Not Be Placed In Front Of Doors Unless Door Is Locked Or Guard Posted. Never Use A Metal Ladder Around Expose Electrical Equipment And Wiring. Keep Ladders And Tools At Least 10 Ft Away From Overhead Lines At All Times. If There Is An Issue Contact Your Utilities Department For Assistance. Keep Access To And From Ladders Clear Of Mud, Materials And Debris. Ladder Setup When Setting Up Your Ladder Make Sure That: Ladder Set Up On A Flat Surface. If Ground Is Soft And Uneven, Use A Large Piece Of Plywood To Brace Under Ladder And Provide Better Footing. NEVER Set A Ladder On Boxes, Barrels Or Other Unstable Bases To Gain Extra Height. STEP LADDERS: Always Fully Open Stepladder And Make Sure Spreader Bars Are Locked Into Place. SINGLE/EXTENSION LADDERS: For A Proper Angle, Set The Base Of The Ladder 1 Ft Away From The Wall For Every 4 Ft Of Ladder Length And Make Sure To Let The Ladder Extend 3 Ft Above Roof. Make Sure To Secure The Ladder At The Top To Prevent Slipping Sideways Or Outwards. If This Is Not Possible Tie The Ladder At The Top And Have A 2nd Person Brace The Ladder. Climbing Remember These Tips When Climbing A Ladder: Make Sure Shoes Are Free Of Mud, Grease Or Any Other Slippery Substance. Face Ladder And Use Both Hands. Maintain 3 Points Of Contact At All Times! Do Not Carry Any Tool/materials With Your Hands. Use A Tool Belt Or Raise And Lower Items By Hand Lines. NEVER Climb The Bracing Of A Stepladder ( The Smaller Looking Steps) General Use Do Not Stand/work On The Top 3 Rungs Of A Single/ Extension Ladder. For Stepladders, Do Not Stand/work On The Topcap Or First Step. “Belt Buckle Rule”: Stay Centered, Don’t Let Your Belt Buckle Go Past Either Side Rail When Working, Keep At Least 3 Points Of Body Contact With Ladder: ⇒ 2 Feet + [1 Hand Or Hips Or Chest] Only One Person At A Time On A Ladder Never Adjust Or Move Ladder While On The Ladder Avoid Working On Ladders In High Winds Or Wet Conditions. Use these guidelines and some common sense and you will be less at risk. We know that accidents do happen, we just want to make sure that you have less of a chance for an accident if you choose to DIY gutter clean. If you do not have the right materials, tools or time to DIY please give us a call. ( source) For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Gutters & Guards experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: Construction and Maintenance, damage, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, injury prevention, Lynchburg Virginia, Materials and Supplies, Virginia

Gutter Maintenance Tip #41 – Reattach Downspout Elbow

By rempferconstruction
Dec-2-2015
Damage Prevention, Gutters
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Reattach Downspout Elbow Reattach Downspout Elbow. Gutter can take a lot. From massive amounts of rain passing through them yearly, they certainly get a good workout. This also means besides water some other debris can find their way in and through your gutters and downspouts including sticks and twigs. Some may fall through your downspout hitting the boot at the bottom with quite a force. If you find that the elbow of your downspout has fallen off, fear not because it can be reattached, as long as it was not completely damaged. It should be a pretty easy fix by just fitting the two piece back together. The most important thing to do is to make sure it is attached. You can attach the two pieces together with small screws or pop rivets. If the elbow that has been broken apart is the top elblow, please call a professional because it can be a bit more difficult to DIY. For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: Construction and Maintenance, damage, Downspout, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, Home repair, Lynchburg Virginia, Virginia

Gutter Maintenance Tip #39 – Preventing Gutter Overflow

By rempferconstruction
Nov-18-2015
Damage Prevention, Gutter Guards, Gutters
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Preventing Gutter Overflow Preventing gutter overflow by cleaning out your gutters at least twice a year or investing in some gutter guards for your home. This can not only cut back on the terrible overflow issues but it can save your foundation from costly damages. When you gutters overflow, it can cause issues with wood rot, foundation cracks, and soil erosion around your home. If you gutters are overflow every time it rains, you have a problem. Sometimes your gutters will overflow if the rainfall is great all at once, and your home can take that. When it becomes more frequent, it is an issue. It can be caused from clogged gutters or improperly pitched gutters or not enough downspout outlets. Call a professional to get your gutter assessed and fix the problem today! For a free estimate on gutter cleaning, repairs or adding gutter guards, call us today! Our experienced team will take the guess-work out of the process, and ensure that your home is protected. Connect with us for daily inspiration, updates and information: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Tags: clogged gutters, Construction and Maintenance, damage, Debris, Downspout, fall, fall gutter cleaning, fall weather, gutter check up, gutter cleaning, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guards, Gutters, Gutters and Guards, Lynchburg Virginia, Rain gutter, Virginia, Weather

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