What’s hanging out in your gutters? We all know many things get trapped in our gutters and downspouts. Dirt, twigs, leaves, and pine needles land on your roof, and when it rains, make their way in. But do you know the other creepy crawlies that might be hiding in your gutters and downspouts?
Mice and Other Rodents
Things like leaves, twigs, and pine needles are the same materials that mice use to make their nests. When mice and other rodents look for warm places to make their nests, they look for full gutters. The presence of mice and nests can also attract snakes to your home. In turn, these snakes might find their way into the cracks and crevices of your home.
Birds
Just like mice, birds use piles of leaves, twigs, and needles for their nests. Birds are not as destructive as other unwanted guests; however, their droppings can stain parts of your home that are highly visible. Also, a bird nest can mess up the efficiency of your storm drainage system. By obstructing water flow and adding weight to the gutter, a bird’s nest in the gutter is terrible. This extra weight can cause gutters to break at the seams. If birds decide to make a nest in your gutters and lay eggs, they may also become territorial and aggressive.
Mosquitoes and Termites
The easiest of all these pests to spot but quickly the least damaging to your home is mosquitos. Stagnant water attracts mosquitos. They like stagnant water for a breeding ground. Water that pools in your gutters due to a clog is ideal for mosquitos. A mosquito infestation on the outside of your home can cause endless distress to you and your family. Mosquitos also carry an increased disease risk.
Termites won’t eat your gutters because they only eat wood. They will, however, happily eat away at the fascia board. Termite damage is terrible because people typically do not know about them until it’s too late. Once you find the damage left by termites, you will likely have costly repairs. Let Gutter King Wichita maintain your gutters regularly to spot early signs of termites in the fascia.
Squirrels
If trees are close enough that the branches reach your gutters, you probably have squirrels on your roof. Like with mice, gutters act as a grand haven to escape into to get away from predators like foxes. By keeping branches trimmed, you can keep squirrels and chipmunks from climbing on your roof. Rodents that build nests in your gutters will make them in the downspouts, which will lead to clogs and overflowing. Squirrels can even get themselves stuck in your downspouts and perish, leading to a foul-smelling mess.
Let Gutter King Wichita Take Care of Your Home Gutter and Downspout Systems
Call us at 316-680-6708, and you’ll see for yourself the reason why we continue to leave our customers incredibly pleased, referring us to their coworkers, friends, and family. Also, our work is 100% guaranteed, and your complete satisfaction is our goal.
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.
Fall is a great time of the year to get outside with family
Fall, a stunning time of year – Wichita Kansas Area
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.
Whatever it is that you like to do to celebrate this great time of year, just get out there and do it!
gutter cleaning wichita
Gutter Cleaning Wichita
Now is the time to have your gutters cleaned, if you haven’t yet cleared away summer storm debris. Gutter maintenance is more important than ever, and you want clean gutters before leaves begin to fall. That summer storm debris is heavy, clogs drains and will contribute to rain gutter damage.
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.
gutter cleaning wichita
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
reseal and tighten gutter systems as necessary
test the gutters to ensure proper flow
visually inspect the roof and gutter systems
clean up after ourselves
Fall is a stunning time of the year for fun. Call Gutter King Wichita for gutter cleaning and service in the Wichita and surrounding areas, while you enjoy. Give us a call at 316-680-6708.
Gutter maintenance is important for many reasons. Gutter neglect over a long period of time is expensive. Your home’s foundation and structure is affected by clogged or neglected gutter systems. Learn more with the information below.
Repair Any Damage
Regular gutter maintenance will ensure repair on damaged gutters. Additionally, damaged gutters add weight to your gutter systems and will eventually destroy fascia boards. Rain gutter systems will support so much weight before they fail, whether they fail by leaning or becoming detached!
Get Ready for Winter!
As we move into winter, gutter maintenance is more important than ever. You’ll want to be sure that your gutters are in good repair and clean. The frigid winter months can bring winds, precipitation, and extra debris into your gutter system. Keeping your gutters in good condition while we go December, January and February will give you the confidence that they will not become weighed down by additional fall debris remaining in your gutters.
Clogged Gutters Will Damage Your Home
When it comes to home maintenance and repairs, there are few things worse than clogged gutters. Why? The costs of repairing damage from clogged gutters far outweigh the cost of merely maintaining them well. At Gutter King Wichita, we care about the health of your home. Give us a call at 316-680-6708 to schedule a fast, affordable quote.
Maintain Gutters and Clear Away Summer Storm Debris
Now is the time to have your gutters cleaned, if you haven’t yet cleared away summer storm debris. Gutter maintenance is more important than ever, and you want clean gutters before leaves begin to fall. That summer storm debris is heavy, clogs drains and will contribute to rain gutter damage.
Protect Your Home’s Foundation with Regular Gutter Maintenance
The purpose of a gutter system is to lead stormwater away from your foundation. Foundation damage happens when water pools near the foundation of your home. The best thing to prevent foundation damage is to keep your gutters clean. Besides, a clogged underground yard drain system will lead to flooding your yard, which also leads to pooling water at your foundation. Gutter King Wichita is your Gutter Maintenance expert in Wichita and the surrounding areas.
Taming the Leaves to Maintain Gutters
Your gutters are only functional when water can flow through them. This is why gutter maintenance is important. Keeping the leaves at bay is an essential objective in fall gutter cleaning. Wet leaves can weigh down your gutters and potentially damage the fascia on the side of your home. Fascia repairs are expensive and preventable. An obstructed flow can cause issues like water pooling around the base of your home.
Gutter maintenance is important for many reasons. Gutter neglect over a long period of time is expensive. Your home’s foundation and structure are affected by clogged or neglected gutter systems. Call us at 316-680-6708 to schedule a fast, affordable quote on gutter cleaning, gutter repair, gutter guards, or new seamless gutters.
1. Choose the correct ladder. Use a fiberglass ladder if there is any chance of contact with electricity. Choose a sturdy ladder with slip-resistant pads.
2. Inspect your ladder. Be sure there are no loose bolts, cracks or corrosion.
3. Never stand on top of a ladder. Make sure your ladder extends three feet above the landing.
Gutter Cleaning Costs and 10 Things a Homeowner Needs to Know to solve problems, save money, and improve your home. Not every home’s a fixer-upper, but all houses need occasional repairs and maintenance. Below are 10 things a homeowner needs to know.
1. Clogged Gutters Can Destroy a Home
They really can. We have seen it.
Here are just three ways clogged gutters do big damage:
An overflowing gutter creates pools of water at the foundation. These pools of water will penetrate cracks and pores in the concrete foundation. When the foundation deteriorates, water may make its way into the basement ceiling, walls, and flooring.
Clogged gutters are heavy! This weight pulls the fascia away from the roof structure. Consequently, this allows water to enter the attic and drip down into the interior. Or worse, it can saturate attic insulation and trigger toxic microbial growth.
Overflowing gutters lead water down the exterior walls of your home. Siding is not always completely waterproof and cannot resist continuous water flow. Water will seep behind siding and penetrate exterior wood sheathing. Eventually, the water makes its way into your home. And when this happens, it could saturate your interior wallboards and again, facilitate microbial growth in your home.
We are here for you. Prepare your home for Spring by ensuring your gutters are free of debris and in good shape before the rain sets in.
Gutter Cleaning Costs
“How much does it cost to have my gutters cleaned?” Call us at 316-680-6708, and we can give you a quote while we’re on the phone with you within a minute or so. Typically, we charge between $80 and $250, depending on the size and other factors such as if you have gutter screens and if the property is two or three stories, etc.
2. Utility Lines Can Kill – Call 811 Before You Dig
Call 811 before you dig
Before you install a fence, plant a shrub, install a pond or anything landscape related, call to have the underground utility lines marked. Hitting an underground line can cause serious harm or even death. Remember, know what is below; always call 811 before you dig!
gutter cleaning costsss
3. If a Pipe Bursts, You Need to Know the Location of Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
The main valve is the one to stop most plumbing catastrophes, such as a burst pipe. A homeowner needs to make sure everyone knows where this valve is located and knows how to turn it off.
You need to carefully turn the handle several turns to fully close a gate valve
This ball valve is open when the handle aligns with the pipe. To close it, turn the handle clockwise 1/4 turn so that it is at a right angle to the pipe
In warm climates, the main water shutoff is typically outside, attached to a wall or underground.
In colder climates, the main water shutoff is typically in the basement. There is also a “curb stop” shutoff that requires a special tool to operate.
gutter cleaning costs
Gutter Cleaning Near Me
“Where is gutter cleaning near me?” Gutter King Wichita! You’ll see for yourself the reason why we continue to leave our customers incredibly pleased, referring us to their coworkers, friends, and family. In addition, our work is 100% guaranteed, and your complete satisfaction is our goal. Call us at 316-680-6708 for a quote!
4. Hot Water from the Kitchen Faucet Can Scald Your Hands
A water heater set too hot is the reason why thousands of children arrive at the hospitals each year with serious burns.
Temperature dial on a hot water heater
The best temperature for your hot water is 120 degrees F. Although most water heater dials do not have temperature labels, you can check the temperature with a thermometer. Run hot water for at least three minutes. And then fill a glass. Using a thermometer, check the temperature. If the water is above 120 degrees, adjust the dial, wait a few hours, and check once again.
gutter cleaning costs
5. A Dirty or Missing HVAC Filter Will Cost You Money
When you set your thermostat to warm up your house, a couple of things happen. For example, a heat exchanger or electric coil activates. And then air pushes through the furnace with a blower fan and is heated by the exchanger. And finally, in a clean system, this air goes through the evaporator coil and into the supply ductwork.
The evaporator coil has a bunch of tiny air passages that make it work correctly. Therefore, if these are blocked, you’re gonna get cold. Not only will the dirt and junk restrict airflow, but it will also limit heat output. And unless you just turn off your furnace altogether, your HVAC system will have to run longer to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat. And the longer it runs, the higher your utility bills.
A very dirty filter
Your HVAC technician should service your unit once yearly. However, the filter of your HVAC unit tends to get dirty every month. This means that you will either need to call your HVAC every month or check it and change yourself. Although it depends on what type of air filter you use, you need to change it every one to three months.
Check the condition of your filter and change monthly if:
you have pets or
a large family or
your unit is used six months a year to year-round
there is a smoker in the house
you live on a gravel road or in an area with high winds
Change the filter immediately if:
the filter is warped or bent from blocking airflow
there is evidence of microbial growth on the filter
To change the filter:
using a marker, write the date of installation on the filter frame
turn off the unit
follow directions for your unit, to install the filter in the proper airflow direction
also, make sure the filter frame does not bend when you install
replace the lever, seal, or door
gutter cleaning costs
Best Price Gutter Cleaning
6. Stop a Running Toilet
A toilet flapper
The most common cause of a toilet running is a worn flapper that no longer seals properly. In other words, if this flapper leaks, water will seep into the bowl.
To check the flapper: Open the top of the toilet. Use something long like a yardstick to press lightly on the flapper. If the sound of running water stops, you know that the problem is related to the flapper.
However, before you bother to replace it, run your finger around the opening that the flapper rests on. Mineral deposits on the rim will prevent the flapper from sealing. In that case, remove the deposits with an abrasive scrubber. If this does not fix it, replace the flapper.
7. Potato Peels and Garbage Disposals are Not Friends
Potato peels belong in the trash, not the sink
Some foods do not grind down easily and will clog your sink, jam your disposal, or ruin it altogether. Furthermore, you risk flooding your kitchen and basement ceilings if you try to plunge a clogged sink! Do not put these items into your garbage disposal:
grease will solidify and clog the drainpipe
bones and pits can dull the blades, jam the disposal, or get stuck in the drainpipe
potato peels have a huge amount of starch that can clump up and form a thick paste
glass, paper, metal, and plastic can dull or jam the disposal blades
gutter cleaning costs
8. A Small Puddle at Your Water Heater is Never Okay
Do not gamble on your water heater. Water heaters sometimes leak from the drain or relief valves, which are easy to replace. But if a leak is coming from the tank, watch out.
A water heater with small puddles of water
Most leaks come from the hot water tank itself. If the tank leaks, there is a problem. For example, it is likely that one of the components has sprung a leak and caused water to slowly leak out and pool at the bottom of the tank.
Usually, the cause of this is sediment build-up inside the tank. If you leave the sediment long enough, it will begin to crack and rust the steel tank, eventually leading to a leak.
A leak from the tank itself almost always means the water heater will need to be replaced. In this scenario, you can contact a professional plumber to investigate further.
Left alone, a damaged tank will eventually rupture, and then you have an instant flood. It might take months or just days for a leak to become a flood—but it will happen. So, do not gamble; replace that ticking time bomb now.
9. A GFCI Outlet Only Needs to be on a Circuit–Not in Every Bathroom or Kitchen
Ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI)
Do you know that sometimes all bathroom outlets and one or more exterior outlets are powered through a single GFCI located in one bathroom or elsewhere, such as in a random basement room? The GFCI needs only to be in the CIRCUIT. Not in every bathroom or at every sink. For example, we found several homes where the GFCI in the basement powered the exterior electric outlet near the front porch AND the three bathroom outlets.
If there is an outage, locate all of your GFCI’s and push the reset button. That may be all you need to restore power.
10. Do Not Cut Down a Tree “Just Because”
Before deciding to cut down a tree on your property, consider the risk. Even small trees can fall awkwardly and cause damage to your house or your neighbor’s property.
A split tree trunk
The tree above is split down the trunk and would likely damage nearby structures if not removed. Sometimes cutting down a tree is required; however, always thoughtfully consider your options.
DO hire a professional tree service to examine your tree and provide options that best suit you and your needs. Furthermore, the longevity of your tree depends on the trimming, pruning, and canopy maintenance. A tree must have proper care from the beginning to provide you with beauty and shade. Also, the shade from a tree ultimately decreases energy bills.
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.
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
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.
