 The gutters are one of the most important and, at the same time, most overlooked parts of a house. Sure, you always look at them when you get home - but have you stopped to think about how much they help?
They defend your house from mold, mildew, rust, and other nasty things that could end up costing you plenty in repairs. In return, your gutters only ask that you clean them up every once in a while. And in this article, you'll find out how and why! Why should I clean the gutters? Your gutters are there to redirect water away from your house. To do so, they need to be clean and have nothing in them. Once your gutters are full of leaves, stick, and other debris, they no longer can do their job properly. This means water is going to end up somewhere you don't want. For example, accumulated water will go inside your house. That'll start a mold and mildew epidemic you will soon have to fight. And that'll be harder than cleaning up the gutters. When should I clean the gutters? Fortunately for all homeowners, there's no need to get up on the roof to clean your gutters every weekend. In fact, it's more of a seasonal kind of thing than anything else. So, at the start of each season, you get up there and clean things up. Of course, if you notice an unusual buildup, you should start working right away! How to repair your house's gutters 1. Safety first, cleaning second Cleaning the gutters requires that you go up to the roof and stick your hand in places you can't fully see. Not only that, but you'll also do so while standing on a ladder. Once you realize this isn't a harmless household chore, you need to favor safety over speed. So, take your time when you're cleaning gutters. And, while you're at it, make sure you're wearing:
2. Take a look before you start removing stuff Speaking of breaks, you don't want to break anything while you're up there. Because of that, it's always better to take a little peek before you start striking against sticks and debris. Plus, it's always better to know where you're sticking your hand in. There's plenty of bugs and nasty stuff there. Eyes then hands! 3. Get to work Once you have your gloves and goggles, right after you took a sneak peek at the gutters, you can begin to work. Take your time, don't take any risks, and avoid unsupported maneuvers. If you must, climb down the stairs, reset your position, and come back up. There's no need to play gutter ninja when you're cleaning up - because medical bills aren't cheap. 4. Make sure everything is doing okay Once you've cleaned up the gutters, you need to make sure they're actually clean. How can you make sure of that? Well, it's simple: you have to test things out. Pour some water down the gutters and see if it manages to come out of your downspouts with no problem. While you're at it, you should also check for rust, mold, and mildew. 5. Anticipation comes third Remember safety first, cleaning second? Well, it doesn't end there. The third and final part is anticipation. What does that mean? It's nothing out of this world: you need to make sure things won't get as bad as they could. For example, if your gutters contain leaves and sticks, try to trim the trees surrounding your house. That way, you won't have such a hard time when you have to do this all over again next season.
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 Solar panels sound like something straight out of science fiction - but you can install them in your house if you want to! Remember: with great solar panels, come great benefits! And there are also a couple of negatives you should learn about too.
You'll find the three most important pros and cons to solar panels down below! The greener side of solar panels 1. Long-term, it's a smart investment Solar panels are cost-effective in two ways: first, you won't believe how much your electricity bill will drop when you install them; second, you can get paid for the surplus energy you get. Imagine that! Your electrical bill drops - and you might get money from your electrical company for all that energy the sun is giving you for free! Eventually, the panels will pay for themselves. 2. More panels, more value Adding a solar panel is like renovating your house. It costs money, sure. But that money won't disappear, it'll add to your home value. The more panels you add, the more your home value will increase. How much your house is worth isn't a number alone; it's important to determine your equity, mortgage interest rates, and more. Plus, a self-sufficient home is worth way more than an average house. That's a given. 3. You help others by helping yourself Yes, you can get money from your solar panels. Of course, you will see a drop in your electrical bill. Sure, your home value will increase significantly. But renewable energy isn't about money alone, it's about helping others. When you install solar panels, you're doing your part against climate change. Oh, and, by the way, you might get state subsidies for going green, depending on where you live. You can hit the jackpot when you help others! The cloudy side of going green 1. Short-term, it's going to cost you Ten years down the line, buying a solar panel will be an affordable and easy thing to do. Unfortunately, you're living in the present - and solar panels cost money today. Sure, you will get most of your money back if your panels don't break and you get a government subsidy. Or, you could lose it all in a storm. 2. Sometimes, it'll get cloudy with a chance of no energy Oh, speaking of bad weather. If you want to make the most out of your solar panels, you need, well, the sun to hit them directly. You can't go 100% solar unless you're 100% sure the sun will always shine. Keep in mind it will rain from time to time, even in the desert. Oh, and, by the way, you don't want to be the guy who used all his solar energy... right before dawn. 3. You need the space for all that sun Did you know the Sun is the biggest star in our solar system? It's borderline impossible to imagine how big that is. Unless you own several solar panels, then you probably know how much space a solar-anything takes. If you want to get the most out of renewable energy, you'll need more than one solar panel on your roof. And, sometimes, you won't be able to fit one of them up there. From the sun to solar panels, everything sun-related takes plenty of space. Then again, it's for a good cause!  Your roof has a very important role: to protect your home structure and all your home contains from the elements. The weather has an impact on your roof and how well it holds up. If your have been putting off a roof inspection, it is time to get it done. Taking care of repairs early on can prevent structural damage or water from getting into your home. It is less costly than replacing the entire roof too. Weather can harm your roof. Types of damage depends on many variables including the weather where you reside and the materials on your roof. A great roofing company will complete repairs or replace a roof with the best materials for your location and the expected type of weather there. The more protection in place, the less damage the weather can do. Wind The wind can be a challenge for your roof, depending on the force of it. Some regions have high winds regularly. In other areas, the wind blows at slower speeds so it isn't a huge factor. There can be sudden storms that cause the wind speeds to double or triple what they normally would be. The wind can cause shingles and other materials to come off the roof. This leaves those areas of the roof vulnerable to rotting and water getting into the structure. Sunlight The sunlight can cause damage to your roof. The hotter it is, the more likely such damage will occur. In some regions, the temperatures soar into triple digits over the summer months. It can still be warm in the fall and winter months. Such areas tend to be desert locations and the scorching heat can cause roofing materials to become brittle, crack, and break off. Snow and Ice It probably comes as no surprise that snow and ice can take a toll on your roof. When the snow and ice linger, the moisture can get into the layers of roofing. If part of the roof is damaged, it allows the moisture to get deeper into the layers or leak into the structure of the home. This can cause support beams of the structure to rot and become weak. It can also allow water to get inside of the structure, causing damage and ruining items. It can take days for snow and ice to melt off a roof when the temperatures remain cold. This increases the risk of damage to the roof. The weight of the snow and ice can create problem areas. The roof may not be able to support that weight well, and those weak areas are going to be the first to leak. Heavy Rain April showers bring May flowers, but too much rain brings trouble for your roof. Heavy rainfall can cause damage to the roof because of the force and the amount of water. Damaged or missing shingles leave the rest of the roof vulnerable to water getting into the structure. Hail The size and force of hail can beat up a roof fast. It is often combined with high winds and heavy rains. All of this can be too much for a roof to handle, especially if it has some damage before the hail storm occurring. Take Care of Roofing Problems Immediately You should have your roof inspected by a professional at least once a year. This will identify any problems and they can take care of necessary repairs. Ideally, you should get it inspected every six months. It should also be inspected after a natural disaster or a severe storm. If you see shingles or other roofing materials on the ground, you need it investigated immediately! If your roof is in need of inspection or you have experienced any weather damage, give us a call today! |
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