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Top Reasons To Add Gutter Guards This Spring

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Gutters are the veins of your home. They direct all of mother natures rain water and snow melt away from your homes’ foundation, protecting your home.  When they become clogged, they stop doing their job.  Adding gutter guards to your home is very good idea when it comes to keeping your gutters clog-free. Here are a few more reasons to add gutter guards to your home this spring. Debris-free gutters Unwanted leaves in your gutters can lead to serious issues if neglected for too long.  It can lead to water finding other ways out of your gutters, as well as the perfect place for pests to build a home. Low maintenance Gutter Guards do not mean maintenance free forever.  It just means MUCH less maintenance. Unprotected gutters require more frequent cleaning, which can be time consuming, and potentially unsafe. Installing a quality gutter protection system prevents debris and leaves from accumulating in the first place.  You should only have to check them out once or twice a year depending on the amount of trees around your home. Protect against pests Unprotected gutters can provide a convenient entry point to your warm and inviting roof space, which then becomes a nesting site and food source for a host of common household pests such as birds, possums, rats, mice and snakes. Avoid floods and water damage With a quality gutter guard installed, your gutters are able to transport rainwater the way they’re designed to, significantly reducing the risk of flooding in storms and heavy rain, as well as the likelihood of damage to your walls and ceilings if your home were to flood. If you are planning on add gutter guards to your home or are interested in add gutter guards, give us a call for a free estimate. We’ll be more than happy to help you choose the perfect gutter guard system to add to your home. Saving you time and money on cleaning gutters out. 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

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Gutter Guards And Snow

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Gutter Guards And Snow. In this area of Virginia, we seem to get just a couple good snow storms and that’s it. There are more icy snows that roll through our area. We’ve talked A LOT about ice dams and icicles. We haven’t really dived into what to expect when you have gutter guards on your gutters. So when snow that’s icier or slowly melting becomes a icy slush this is where it’s going to drip; causing icicles and ice dams. When you mix this wintery weather with solid aluminum metal, it can create a sheet of ice. This makes it harder for your gutter guards to work properly ( or if you do not have gutter guards you can still run into this with just gutters). The melted water is going to roll over the ice sheet and drip onto your porch or walkway creating slick spots. Gutter guards that are more open mesh allow more water to seep in but this can make your gutter HEAVY. Leading to your gutters possibly becoming unattached from your home. This is one of the biggest complaints about gutter guards but think about the rest of the year and how they keep your gutters clean and free of clogs. There are some preventative measure you can take to avoid these ice sheets over your screen mesh gutter guards and hopefully keeping the majority of heavy ice out of your gutters. Snow rakes to pull sections of snow away from the eaves of your roof or heated gutter guards. Gutters & Guards, Inc does offer a heated gutter guard. Depending on the climate that you live in should always impact the type of gutter guards you need to install on your home. That and the type of debris you want to keep out. 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    

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How To Prevent Slick Spots On Your Sidewalk

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How To Prevent Slick Spots On Your Sidewalk. No matter how well the snow and ice are removed from sidewalks, parking lots and the surrounding streets, people will invariably encounter some slippery surfaces when walking outdoors in the winter. Many cold-weather injuries are the result of falls on ice-covered streets and sidewalks. Walking on snow or ice is especially treacherous. Getting around in icy conditions calls for planning, caution, and a little common sense: Dress warmly and wear boots with non-skid soles (avoid plastic and leather soles). When entering a building, remove as much snow and water from your boots as possible. Take notice that floors and stairs may be wet and slippery. Walk carefully. Be prepared to fall and try to avoid using your arms to break your fall. If you fall backward, make a conscious effort to tuck your chin so your head doesn’t strike the ground with full force. Streets and sidewalks that have been cleared of snow and ice should still be approached with caution. Look out for “black ice.” Dew, fog or water vapor can freeze on cold surfaces and form an extra-thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that can look like a wet spot on the pavement. It often shows up early in the morning or in areas that are shaded from the sun. Eliminating Snow and Ice Pay attention to weather predictions in your area. This will allow you to buy shovels or de-icers if you do not already have them. It will also help you predict whether you will be dealing with freezing rain or light, fluffy snow which require different techniques. Apply a de-icer early in an ice storm, or a storm with heavy wet snow. You can choose between sand, rock salt, potassium chloride and other products. Keep up with shoveling once the snow starts if possible. If it is only a powdery snow, you can just brush it away with a broom. If you cannot keep up with it, just shovel it all away at the end of the storm. For more information about protecting your gutters or 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

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5 Projects To Complete Before Fall

5 Projects To Complete Before Fall 5 Projects To Complete Before Fall. With Fall right around the corner, there are a few projects that will help you keep your home in tip-top shape. Roof Inspection After all the summer thunderstorms and weather, its best to inspect your roof for any potential damages, such as missing , curled or buckled shingles. If you cannot climb on the roof or do not feel safe doing so, please call a professional to do so. We suggest our sister company, Rempfer Construction, Inc. Weather Proofing Before the cool breezes settle in the winter, check your exterior doors and windows for any air leaks or light peaking through. Recaulk around your window and door seals. If you need replace weather stripping or the window itself, call a professional to help you find and install the right materials. Gutter Guards Fall is the time wear trees shred their leaves.  A great way to prevent gutter clogs from happening is by installing gutter guards. There are several types of gutter guards that you can choose from. Screen mesh, hooded and drop in. To learn more about the different types of gutter guards check out our page. To get a free estimate, give us a call!  Clean Grill  Since the summer months and cookout days are past, it’s time to part with the most beloved item of the back yard. Yes we mean the grill. Give it a good scrub down place in a safe spot until next summer. Clean Siding The end of the summer is the best time to clean the siding on your home. This will prevent any mold or early damage from occurring to your vinyl siding. We suggest you take a look at this cleaning guide to vinyl siding post by our sister company Rempfer Construction,Inc. 

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Painting Aluminum Gutters

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Painting Aluminum Gutters is not recommended, because it will void any paint finish warranties and can shorten the life of your gutters. If you must paint your gutters due to them being heavily rusted or older and replacing them is out of budget, here’s what you can do. Painting is simple but not easy. What you’ll need: sandpaper Paint scraper scrub brushes soap & water paint brushes metal primer/acrylic bonding oil-based primer satin/gloss oil-based enamel oil-based paint CAUTION:  Before you go to the paint store you need to note a couple of paint tips. First, you need to look for ammonia-free primers. Ammonia reacts with aluminum to create a layer of gas between the aluminum and the paint, which can create a bubbling effect. This bubbling will ruin your paint job. Start by cleaning your gutters. Remove any existing paint.  Use the sandpaper and scrubber to remove the old paint. Scrub and wash with soap and water until they are clean and then you can start with primer.  Primer can take a while to dry ( sometimes up to 48 hours).   After the primer is completely dry, paint two coats of oil-based satin/gloss enamel. 48 hour again until it’s fully dry. Now it’s time for the last coat, paint your gutters with it’s final color. (source)   Though we do not suggest painting your gutters because it is a long, time consuming job that’s results do not last as long as replacing your gutters. ( Check out all the great colors available today) If you’d like a professional gutter cleaning before you start painting, call us for a free gutter cleaning estimate 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

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Gutters Pulling Away From Home

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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  

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Solutions For Gutter Debris

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What kind of gutter debris are you dealing with? This questions sounds still but solutions for gutter debris can be used for different types of debris. When you’re cleaning your gutters, these solutions may help you clean a little faster. Fine Debris such as pine needles and small leaves, can slip in your gutter unnoticed and build up over time. Pine needles can accumulate and become heavy fast. If they sit in your gutters for a long time it can cause your gutters to sag or for water to build up over time. Fine screen mesh gutter guards are the best solution to keep the needles at bay. Products like Mastershield and screen mesh are best for this. Your standard drop in gutter guard has openings that are too large and will not be able to keep out needles. Both Mastershield and screen mesh have fine smooth surfaces for debris to easily flow over the gutter and not clog your gutters. Dirt and shingle grit are another common debris that can be found in your gutters. Mastershield prevents shingle grit from getting in your gutters but screen mesh not so much. Hooded gutter systems could protect your gutters from the majority grit but not all.  If an absurd amount of shingle grit is getting into your gutters, it may be time for a new roof. In the springtime, pollen and other blossoms can find their way into your gutters. They make the inside of your gutters slightly sticky because it’s almost a powder like substance and this can get debris to stick to your gutter. Running the water hose over your gutter and/or gutter cover can help dissolve the pollen. You should already be cleaning your gutters after the long winter season and doing any necessary repairs. 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    

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Bees And 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  

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Gutter Guard Maintenance

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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  

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Cleaning Patio Furniture

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Patio Furniture Clean Up. This summer choose a sunny, warmer day to pull your patio furniture out of storage and deep clean it if you have not yet. Like we’ve said above, choose a sunny day. It give your furniture and cushions ( if washable) time to dry. Before you get started, gather all your materials such as: soap, glass cleaner, bucket, water, sponges and your garden hose. Choose cleaning method based on the type of patio furniture you have. Below we have 4 different methods for wicker, wrought iron, wood, and plastic, as well as cushions and the umbrella. PLASTIC FURNITURE Bring all the furniture and set it on a concrete slab. Mix 1/4 cup of mild dish soap with one gallon of water, then dip a brush or sponge and scrub furniture. After you give them a good scrub, rinse with water and let them air dry. If you notice water spots, wipe them with a cloth. The same cleaning method can be used for glass top furniture and after they dry, spray with glass cleaner and wipe clean with cloth. WICKER FURNITURE For wicker furniture, use a soft bristle brush and the soap mix from above. This will dislodge dirt and remove stains. Rinse with garden hose and let air dry. WOOD PATIO FURNITURE For wood furniture, the cleaning mix is a little different. Combine two oz of bleach with one gallon of hot water. Use a sponge and apply to furniture. Let it sit for 15 mintutes and use a soft brush to scrub. Scrub WITH the grain not against. Rinse with garden hose and let air dry. WROUGHT IRON FURNITURE Wrought iron furniture can be a bit trickier to clean, especially if there’s rust. If there is rust, remove the rust with sandpaper and repaint as needed. If there is no rust then you can wash your furniture with a soap mixture used for the plastic chairs. After you rinse the soap off the furniture you can take an extra step and finish with a coat of wax. CLEANING CUSHIONS To clean cushions, lay them out on a hard, clean surface, but don’t put them on grass or dirt. Spray the cushions with a hose using the nozzle attachment, then pour dish soap onto a wet sponge and scour the cushions. Rinse your cushions clean with the hose until all the soap is gone. Kneel on each cushion, pressing it from top to bottom, to squeeze the water out, also flip the cushions every few hours so both sides can dry. If your cushions did not make it or are old, you can toss them out or just replace the fabric on them. DON’T FORGET THE UMBRELLA To clean a patio umbrella, place old sheets on the ground, then spread the opened umbrella out on top of the sheets. Use soapy water and a scrub brush to remove dirt, then rinse it thoroughly with a hose. Let the umbrella air dry completely before putting it back up. 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

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Gutters & Guards, Inc.

P: (434) 239-8440 | F: (434) 239-8443
19950 Leesville Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502
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