What if we told you that one simple trick could save you thousands of dollars and provide you with peace of mind worth far more? We will explain why you shouldn’t wait until fall to have your gutters cleaned.
Each year, we get calls from customers, always late in the fall, whose gutters are starting to sag or come loose due to the excess weight from leaves and debris clogging the system.
A sagging gutter is not just an eyesore; it’s a liability. And home maintenance matters.
A little oversight on your part can lead to thousands in unexpected and potentially costly repairs.
How to Keep Your Home and Your Gutters Safe
A clean gutter system is a functional, valuable gutter system. Furthermore, even a small amount of debris concealed in your gutter system is a problem. You shouldn’t wait until fall to have your gutters cleaned. The reason for this is simple.
Consider an avalanche. It starts with a falling rock. And a small problem uphill causes real havoc downhill.
This analogy is valid for your gutters.
For example, imagine your gutters are already one-third full before fall leaves begin to accumulate. At this point, you may not be able to see this amount of debris from the ground level. But this hidden debris is the small problem uphill, which causes real havoc downhill.
All of this debris compounds the stress your gutters put on the sides of your home. The fascia board upon which gutters attach is not rated to hold the extra weight of leaves, sticks, and muck that collects in your gutters over time.
Don’t Wait Until Fall and Why Regular Gutter Maintenence is Like an Insurance Plan
Your home’s soffits and fascia anchor maintained gutter systems and can support a minimal amount of debris.
When you don’t get your gutters cleaned regularly, you’re likely to rack up incremental damage over time. This is why you shouldn’t wait until fall to have your gutters cleaned.
Gutters packed with debris can lead to problems like cracked and rotting fascia and soffits, which can put your home’s exterior at risk as well as leave your foundation open to bombardment from water. This overload of water can lead to costly damage and basement flooding.
Leaky, clogged or damaged gutters can also damage your home’s exterior paint, and repainting your house can cost thousands in unnecessary costs.
Compare all this trouble to the relatively small cost of protecting your gutters under regular cleanings with Gutter King Wichita.
Finding the Right Gutter Cleaning Solution
When you hire Gutter King Wichita, you’re getting a home services partner who cares about you and your home.
When we clean your gutters, we take care of removing and disposing of the debris and leaves at no added cost to you.
If your home’s fascia boards have damage as a result of your current gutter situation, we can help. In addition to seamless gutters and gutter repair, we perform fascia board replacements. Read on for more about why you shouldn’t wait until fall to have your gutters cleaned.
In addition, Gutter King Wichita can help you keep up with gutter maintenance this year so you can drop it from your to-do list. Just ask to be put on our recurring appointments calendar. We will give you a reminder call just before your appointment.
Don’t Wait Until Fall and How Gutter King Wichita Can Help
All our work comes with the Gutter King Wichita Guarantee — your satisfaction is our number one priority. If you’re not happy, we go back to your home and make it right.
We are your full-service gutter professional and insured with proper business liability insurance to do work at your home. Furthermore, full-service gutter work is what we do every day. We are your number-one-rated gutter professional in Wichita and the surrounding areas.
See the Gutter King Wichita difference for yourself. Call 316-680-6708 for a fast, affordable quote.
There are more falls associate with standard home ladders and residents than any other accident at home. Furthermore, most people are not accustomed to climbing a ladder every day, multiple times each day. Equilibrium and balance may be off without a person knowing until it’s too late.
Safety is our business, especially ladder safety. In addition, we carry proper business liability insurance.
We have business liability insurance coverage to do work on ladders at your home. Conversely, a landscaper carries insurance to cut your grass—what happens if that same landscaper falls from a ladder? The answer is simple: the insurance company will refuse to pay and you become responsible.
Our insurance not only protects us, it also protects you.
See the Gutter King Wichita difference for yourself. Call 316-680-6708 for a fast, affordable quote.
Trees and clogged gutters are typically a pair. There are many reasons why.
Trees are an essential source of oxygen in our environment; they can filter the CO2 emitted by vehicles. And they provide habitats and food for a vast number of animals. Trees are beautiful components of the natural landscape of any property, adding harmony and peace. However, you need to be thoughtful when planning placement and type of tree.
How to Manage Trees and Clogged Gutters
The type of tree and its location determine different aspects that should be considered by homeowners. For example, the distribution of shade, how the tree will function in your yard and, the frequency of maintenance. To make your lives easier, we gathered useful tips to help prevent clogged gutters. Here’s a look:
Careful Planning
Before planting trees, you need to be thoughtful about some aspects that may interfere with your roof, utility lines, or foundations.
trees and clogged gutters
Also, large trees can potentially damage your property during heavy rain or high winds since the large branches or the tree itself can collapse over your house. Look to a professional to plant trees that best suit your property. We highly recommend JoJacs Landscape and Mowing in the Wichita and surrounding areas.
Tree Maintenance
Non-maintained, leafy trees and rain gutters don’t mix. Specifically, the reason is that when leaves and twigs land in rain gutters, they can clog and damage your gutters, especially during the rainy season. For this reason, you need to have trees maintained and trimmed so that they do not touch your home, gutters, windows, etc. If your trees are close to power lines, we recommend you look for the help of tree service or the electric company, and they will trim them for you.
Regular Rain Gutter Maintenance and Gutter Guards Installation
As part of your yard maintenance, rain gutter system maintenance is just as important. Regular gutter cleaning will prevent costly damage to your foundation and prevent water intrusion into your basement.
Additionally, in many situations, gutter guards are a great option to keep your rain gutters free from most debris. Although they may still need occasional blowing, this is minor compared to cleaning gutters, which are full of weedy growth, insects, and sludge.
Every home in the Wichita and surrounding areas should have gutters installed. Gutters are a necessary investment and serve several essential functions. On any structure, keeping the ground surrounding the foundation as dry as possible is critical. Rain gutters help control this problem by taking rainwater that falls on the roof and draining it away from the foundation. Wet soil surrounding the foundation can lead to severe structural problems.
gutter king wichita installs seamless guttering
Gutters Prevent Rot
Houses without gutters are more likely to experience wood rot on the fascia and soffit as water exiting the roof finds openings in the paint and caulking. Properly installed and maintained gutters keep water away from wood and funnel it to the ground or stormwater system.
People Stay Dryer
Gutters prevent water from flowing off the roof and over entrances to the home and porch. They keep people dry as they enter and leave home. Even a light rainfall can create a sheet of water that runs off the edge of the roof.
Gutter King Wichita – Seamless Guttering
Houses Stay Neater
Water falling from the edge of a roof can splash dirt on the lower part of the exterior walls as it strikes the ground. It can harm flowers and delicate shrubs and break down mulch.
Gutters Prevent Erosion
Water that falls uncontrolled from a rooftop has to go somewhere. In heavy rain, a high volume of water flowing away from the house can erode the dirt around it. Dirt erosion can cause ponding in the yard, which can lead to muddy soil and damaged grass.
Gutter King Wichita is your seamless guttering professional.
Keep Foundations Stable
Water sitting near a foundation wall eventually works its way under the foundation, causing it to settle. The walls on the settled part of the foundation can then separate from the rest of the house.
Keep Basements Dry
The most important task of a gutter is to funnel water away from basement walls. Water that falls from a roof can saturate the ground near the foundation. Over time, the water will find its way down and through the foundation walls due to hydrostatic pressure. The result is cracking in basement walls and eventually flooding in the basement. Even without cracks, sitting water can soak through the basement wall and result in a buckled foundation and costly repairs.
Rainwater leaks from the outside and onto the basement wall, causing water damage.
Do you find yourself wondering, “What’s the worst thing that can happen if I don’t have my gutters cleaned?”
And when it rains does water spill from the sides of your gutters?
Furthermore, is water backing up in your home?
Most homeowners know that they need to keep their gutters clean, but not many know exactly what can happen when clogged gutters go unchecked for too long. Seasons in Kansas can wreak havoc on old, worn or sagging gutters. From the seasonal fall leaves to the spring “helicopters” and other tree seeds, most homeowners can’t catch a break.
Having gutters cleaned might seem like a trivial task, but failure to do so can cause major problems for a home. From costly foundation damage to detrimental roof leaks, clogged gutters can lead to expensive repairs when left untreated.
Here is what you need to know:
Clogged Gutters in the Fall Create Ice Dams in the Winter
Our winters aren’t kind to gutters. During the coldest months, ice dams can form on your gutters or on the lower edge of your roof. Clogged gutters prevent water from draining, which increases the chance for ice dams. Ice dams cause water to pool and eventually seep into the home. The excessive weight of winter ice dams will likely cause your gutters to sag or pull away from your fascia board.
Leaking or Overflowing Gutters Can Damage Your Home’s Foundation
The job of a well-maintained gutter system is to whisk water away from your home. A clogged gutter stops your gutter system from working and too often allows water to pour over the sides of your gutters. Water is a home’s worst enemy. Over time, this water builds up around the foundation of your home causing mold, cracks and in some cases, foundation collapse.
Foundation damage can be caused by more than just rain overflow. Are your downspouts endangering your foundation? Make sure that your downspouts extend well beyond the perimeter of your home. You can purchase an extender inexpensively at a home improvement store. Placing pavers, stones or concrete around the perimeter under downspouts can also create better drainage and prevent water from invading your home.
Backed Up Water Causes Your Home’s Exterior to Rot
Fascia boards that hold your gutter system are often made of wood. When debris builds up in your gutters, clogs cause water to build up in your gutters. The water build-up causes wooden fascias to deteriorate and rot pretty quickly. Even worse, if your home is wood and/or has wooden siding, the water backup can cause expensive damage to the structure of your home.
What You Can Expect
When you call us to clean your gutters, you can expect us to:
remove all debris from your gutters and downspouts
Fall is a great time of the year to get outside with family
When the weather cools down and the leaves change colors, you know you’re in the best season of the year. Fall is a time to enjoy all sorts of autumn activities with your family and friends.
Spring is almost here! And spring is the time for heavy and saturating rainfall. Of course, flooding is a serious threat to some areas this time of the year; however, it is the combination of heavy rains and pounding winds that can really mess up a home. Read on for 3 ways to prepare for spring rains and protect your home.
1. Ensure Good Drainage
March 13, 2019 at a job in Wichita
The number one way to keep water away from your home’s foundation and to protect your home from spring rains is to ensure correct drainage.
Positive Grade
Dense, compacted soil raises the grade. Grass seed will germinate and prevent soil erosion.
Make sure the ground around your home is graded away from the foundation. The soil should slope at least six inches within 10 feet of the foundation. If this is not the case, you need to add a dense soil to the area, to fix the grading and prevent water damage to the foundation.
Install a French Drain
Another option is to install a French drain. Dig a trench around the foundation, line it with gravel, and place a drain with perforations in it to pull the water away. Cover the drain with gravel and add soil over it. Be sure the trench has a 3-5% down slope, so that rain water drains away from the foundation. This is a great way to protect your home from spring rains that bring heavy rainfall.
2. Check Your Basement & Foundation
Be sure there are no cracks.
Look for cracks or deteriorating mortar joints in the walls of your home, especially the foundation walls. If you find any, seal the small cracks with a caulk which is specifically designed for masonry repairs. Fill larger gaps with a hydraulic cement.
Inspect your sump pump.
Another way to protect your home from spring rains is a sump pump. Most homes need a good quality sump pump in the basement floor, to prevent water damage to the home’s foundation. Be sure your sump pump has power to it and test it regularly to make sure it actually pumps water out.
Do not let the soil around your home dry out completely.
When the weather is particularly dry, the soil around your foundation may dry out and shrink. When this happens, you will see a gap between the soil and the foundation. Then when we have a big rain, the rain water will expand and put a lot of pressure on your foundation walls. So monitor the soil at your foundation level, especially during a drought. Keep ground cover near the foundation, but below siding levels. And keep the ground just moist enough to prevent shrinking.
3. Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean and in Good Repair
Dirty gutters
Keep the gutters free from leaves and debris.
You need rain water to run freely through your gutter systems. If they’re blocked or damaged, heavy rain sends water down the sides of your house and into the ground close to your foundation.
Check all gutter seams.
Your gutter systems should not leak at the seams or mitered corners. If you see water dripping along your gutters, call us for a free gutter inspection. If you hire us to clean your gutters, we include sealing and tightening your gutters as part of your cleaning service.
Be sure gutters are secure.
The fascia board is rotted and the gutters are falling away from the house
Make sure the gutters themselves are properly attached to your home. If loose, not only will the pitch be incorrect and rain water will not flow to your downspouts, but your gutters may easily tear away from your home in high winds.
Downspouts should lead rain water at least six feet from your home.
You may need to extend the downspouts to be sure they do not discharge water right at your foundation. You can use downspout extensions, recessed downspout extensions, or buried extensions.
In conclusion, water damage to a home is easily prevented with a few simple steps. And spring is a time of heavy and saturating rainfall. Call Gutter King Wichita if you need assistance at your home to prepare for spring rains and prevent costly water damage.
Dirty dryer vents are gross. But, more importantly, they’re a serious fire hazard. Dryer vents should be inspected at least once yearly. Read on for information on how to recognize when it’s time to clean your dryer vent.
Clothes dryer vent tube
According to FEMA, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year. And fires caused by clothes dryers cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
Signs that it’s time to clean your clothes dryer vent:
First, the Outside of your Dryer is Very Hot
This is a warning sign that the vent does not exhaust properly. In fact, if your dryer is hot to the touch, the system may be clogged and blocking airflow. This not only wastes energy, it causes premature wear on the heat element and blower.
Second, Drying Time Takes Longer than Usual
When a dryer vent is clogged, the drying cycle time doubles or triples. For that reason, clothes are not completely dry at the end of a regular cycle. A dryer is designed to push out hot, moist air. And if your dryer vent is blocked, the air stays in your dryer and keeps your clothes moist. Hence, when your dryer runs longer, you cut your machine’s useful life in half.
Third, You Notice a Burning Odor
When you run your dryer, you should not notice a burning odor. Accordingly, lint is flammable and if it gets too hot, it will catch on fire. The lint not only builds up in the exhaust tube, and lint trap, it can build up in the drum casing. If you smell this, stop using the dryer immediately and call for a service or inspection.
In conclusion, clogged dryer vents are one of the top causes of dryer fires. And, although this is a much less dramatic concern, an inefficient dryer can also cost you both time and money, tacking on as much as $20 a month to your utility bill. Dryer vents should be inspected at least once yearly.
Benefits of a Clean Dryer Vent System
A clean dryer vent reduces your chances of a dryer fire
It lowers your power bill, because the cycles are much more efficient
Home Maintenance is important; however, there are home maintenance practices that hurt more than help. Read on to discover more.
OVER-TIGHTENING YOUR HOME
Your house needs to breathe. When you caulk around window and door framing, you certainly protect your home from heat/cooling loss. However, there are important openings that you shouldn’t seal. For example, all factory-built storm windows have small weep holes in the lower part of the frame. These permit moisture to drain. Don’t seal these small weep holes or moisture can collect in the window. Check out Bob Vila’s article on storm window weep holes for more information.
Sealing every gap can decrease overall air quality
Sealing every gap can prevent critical ventilation, it can increase allergens, and it can decrease overall air quality. Home maintenance is important; however, it’s important to perform maintenance correctly.
TOO MUCH LANDSCAPING
Overgrown landscaping will cover windows and grow up into the eaves of the house
Trees and shrub plantings are great; however there are considerations to take when maintaining or planting. For example, overly dense plantings can create big issues. Trees should have their canopy maintained and kept at a height which permits airflow beneath. Also, dead branches can hinder the growth of healthy branches.
If your trees are planted so close together that light and airflow is blocked, health and cosmetic issues will be present. For example, decking, walkways, and outdoor carpeting will host microbial growth.
Trees, shrubs, and ground cover need constant care. Overgrown landscaping will cover windows and grow up into the eaves of the house. This overgrowth can cause extensive damage to your roof and more.
You like to clean. And you may even like to use a power washer to wash your house. You can wash all sorts of things with a power washer. For example, you can clean patio furniture, decking, house siding, fences, and the stone on your house. And it’s easy to rent a full-size power washer, or even buy a small one. A power washer will make stains and grime disappear like magic. But it’s important to perform this maintenance task correctly.
You can see the swirl path of damage from the power washer
Window Damage
A powerful force of water can destroy the seals around your windows. When the seals leak, you open up the potential to microbial growth and wood rot. And the strong force of water can easily damage screens as you can see above.
Stone Damage
If you power wash too close to masonry, mineral deposits can seep from the stone. You will see streaks and stains later, which are nearly impossible to remove.
Deck Damage
If you use a power washer on your wood deck, you risk serious damage to the wood. Pressure washing is an effective way to remove old paint, stain, and microbial growth. However, if you or a contractor uses too much pressure, you can damage the soft wood that is between the darker bands of wood.
