The cold season has set in, so many homeowners are busy with their winter preparation chores. Take the time to make sure your house is in tip-top shape before the snowy months. This way, you can snuggle in and enjoy the winter without worrying if your home can take the cold.
One thing you should include in your winter home maintenance checklist is metal roof repair. Metal roofs are often lauded for their durability, but they can still get damaged. You need to attend to these issues before the snow sticks around. Otherwise, your roof might leak and cause serious structural damage to your house.
Follow this guide on how to repair metal roofs to ensure reliable protection for your home against the elements this winter.
1. Leaks
Leaks are among the most common metal roof problems. In most cases, metal roof leaks are caused by extreme weather, such as when ice freezes then thaws quickly on gutters.
Improper installation may also cause leakage. The seams of the metal panels might not be aligned, creating gaps where moisture can pass through. Problems with your roof’s flashing can also result in leaks.
Identify the source of the leak before doing anything else. However, this may be difficult for untrained eyes. Call a professional metal roof repair contractor to make sure the problem is resolved promptly.
2. Damaged Flashing
The flashing is crucial in preventing water damage on roofs. Check for scratches, holes, or corroded spots in the flashing. You can plug these with roofing cement or patch them using the same material as the flashing.
If the flashing is badly damaged, you’ll have to replace it. Scrape the old caulking compound around the dormers, then use a stiff brush to remove the flashing. Apply urethane roofing cement between the flashing and the siding. Make sure to seal the seams to prevent leaks.
3. Scratches and Punctures
Falling debris from nearby trees and large amounts of snowfall can scuff and puncture your metal roof. These problems impact your roof’s integrity; scratches can chip away at the protective coating and small holes can lead to leaks.
Minor scuffs can easily be buffed with a touch-up pen or the right kind of paint. But if the scratch runs all the way down to the substrate, you need to bring it up with a contractor.
You can patch small holes on your metal roof by using the same sheet or panel. Apply a urethane sealant of the same color on the area you are repairing. Press the small patch onto the hole until the sealant squeezes out from the sides. Smooth over the excess sealant to completely seal the sides of the patch.
4. Oil Canning
Metal roofs sometimes develop wrinkles or waves on the panels. This is called oil canning or stress wrinkling. Oil canning is common for metal roofs, usually occurring when the metal system can’t hold its flat form anymore. Improper installation can also lead to wrinkles on the metal panels.
Sadly, there’s not much you can do to correct oil canning in metal roofing. If the wrinkling is extreme, you can replace the damaged panels. Choose a light-colored material with a matte finish that doesn’t reflect light too much to make imperfections less noticeable.
Most importantly, work with a metal roofing company that is careful and diligent during the installation process. They know how much tension and space to give each panel so that the roofing system won’t get deformed due to stress.
If you are not sure how to resolve your metal roof problem, your best bet is to call a trained professional. It is always good to schedule a maintenance check before the winter to prevent these issues from sprouting up in the first place.
High-Quality Metal Roofing Guaranteed
At Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters, we offer excellent metal roofing services for homeowners and commercial property owners. Our specialists make sure that roofing systems are installed correctly to maximize their function and durability.
We also offer speedy roof repair services. Our technicians will identify the root of the problem and apply the appropriate fix quickly so you can go back to your daily routine.
Call us at 877-594-7449 today to get a no-obligation quote.
Pest 101: The Critters that Get into Your Gutters
/in Updates /by Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters LLCWhen it comes to your gutters, leaves aren’t the only problem. If left unchecked and neglected, the dead leaves, pine needles, dirt and other debris that collect in your gutters attract bigger pests, and with them come bigger problems. Get to know the different critters that could get into your home’s gutters.
Mosquitoes
Once your gutters are blocked by leaves, twigs and similar debris, these will hold water when the next rain comes. Even if the standing water doesn’t do significant damage, it offers a perfect mosquito breeding ground. These bugs may pose a minor annoyance, but these days, you should take mosquito infestations more seriously as they were found to carry the dreaded Zika virus in 2017.
While there aren’t any new Zika cases this year, there’s been an alarming rise of West Nile Virus cases from mosquito infestations.
Birds
Gutters that aren’t cleared of leaves and other debris attract birds. Piles of leaves and twigs are the preferred nesting material for birds, and they will do exactly that.
Birds don’t really pose a danger to you or your family, but their acidic droppings can slowly corrode metal gutters. When birds nest in your gutters, get them out ASAP. Should you allow them to take up residence, and they spawn any young, you can count on a new generation of birds to instinctively return to the safety of their gutter-home. We’ll also list another problem that comes with birds in a moment.
Bees
It’s possible that bees will take up residence in your gutters. Bees will always seek out any shelter that will protect them from the elements and conceal them from predators. If there aren’t any birds that have claimed your gutters, bees are one of the next likely candidates.
Bees can be dangerous, especially if you have family members who are allergic to bee stings. Should any bees inhabit your gutters, don’t attempt to remove them yourself as there are legalities you may not be aware of regarding this. Consult a pest control expert.
Squirrels
Pests that shack up in dirty gutters aren’t only of the feathered sort, but also the furry kind. Like birds, squirrels make nests in piles of leaves in your gutters. Their constant scurrying about can cause serious damage to your gutters and roof over time.
Rats
Another problematic pest that can take up residence in your gutters is rats. These rodents will take to your debris-clogged gutter as it can provide them with shelter and warmth. Rats also enjoy the bonus of being close to your home and will get inside eventually to look for food.
Snakes
What do the presence of birds, squirrels, rats and other gutter pests attract? Snakes. You know you’ve neglected your gutter debris problem for too long when more pests move in, and snakes enter the picture.
Keeping your gutters clear and free of fallen leaves, stray pine cones or any other debris is a task you should never put off for very long. It only takes a few leaves to clog your gutters and you’ll soon have a domino effect of pests.
Avoid the dangerous, difficult work of constantly cleaning out your gutters, and just go for the best solution: get our roof gutter protection from Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters. Trust us, with this gutter protection system, you’ll never have to worry about clogged gutters, and never have to spend hundreds of dollars for pest control, too.
Call us today at 877-594-7449, or you can set up an appointment with us.
Why Leaf Gutter Protection Systems Are Better Than Screens
/in Updates /by websupport websupportFallen leaves and roof debris are the bane of gutter systems. They clog exposed gutters and downspouts and, if they get too heavy, damage an entire gutter system. When this happens, the frieze board or siding to which traditional gutters are nailed can sustain some damage as well. To prevent these problems, you must install a seamless leaf gutter protection system.
The Problem With Screens on Gutters
The traditional method of keeping debris out of gutters is to cover them with screens, which, it turns out, is not worth the trouble.
In theory, covering the gutters with a screen is the practical thing to do. It allows rainwater or roof runoffs to flow through the holes and through the gutter. It prevents leaves, twigs, and other large debris from getting washed into the gutter and clogging it.
The problem is, rain gutter leaf screens and downspout screens are far from perfect. Although they’re able to block leaves and branches from flowing into the downspout, the screens themselves eventually get clogged with dirt. Add wet leaves into the mix, and your gutter screen will effectively become a solid cover that permits nothing, not even rainwater, to pass through to the gutter.
This is problematic for many reasons:
We believe that there’s a better alternative for a leaf gutter protection installation instead of screens, and that’s seamless gutter covers.
What Our Seamless Gutter Covers Get Right
The seamless gutter cover that we use is more effective at preventing leaves and debris from entering the gutter. It doesn’t depend on a filtration setup because any dirt on the roof will simply fall off as it reaches the edge of the roofline.
Meanwhile, the smooth, nose-forward design of our seamless covers directs rainwater naturally towards the gutter — no debris included.
Which Is Better: Gutter Cover or Filter?
We have a clear answer for this: seamless gutters outperform filters in the long run with the following benefits:
Invest in a highly functional gutter system and reap these rewards for years.
Get the best leaf gutter protection at Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters.
Traditional Gutter Guards: Why You Need to Avoid Them
/in Updates /by websupport websupportIn theory, gutter guards are among the most important features of a roof. Although their purpose is to protect gutters and not the roof itself, they are still indirect contributors to the longevity and integrity of a roof system.
Problems may emerge, however, if you use traditional gutter guards. These are narrow metal screens that go directly over open, curved gutters. The way they work is very straightforward: they prevent leaves and debris from entering gutters, allowing only rainwater to pass through and flow into the downspout. They work fairly well, but often not for long.
Here are some problems that often materialize when traditional gutter guards are used:
1. They’re not that effective at preventing debris from entering gutters.
A common issue with traditional gutter guards is that the holes are either too tiny or too big. If they are just the right size, wear and tear eventually makes them bigger or smaller, depending on whether the metal breaks or the holes get clogged with debris first.
If the holes are too tiny, wet leaves can block them and prevent roof runoffs from flowing past and into the gutters, rendering them useless. If the holes are too wide, the smaller leaves and debris can slip through, enter the gutter, and eventually clog the downspout.
2. Traditional gutter guards add weight to open gutters.
Gutter guards are an added weight that can pull curved gutters away from the gutter wall. Now, if you had to choose traditional gutter guards, there’s a good chance your gutters were installed via spike-and-ferrule or hidden hangers. Both are old gutter techniques that are prone to early damage because all that’s holding them in place are the screws drilled into the gutter wall.
Since traditional gutter guards tend to gather debris, you can expect that they will eventually weigh your gutters down. When this happens, the screws will loosen and you’ll be left with numerous punctures that can lead to leaking.
3. Bees, insects, and birds can build a nest inside the gutter.
Once you put the gutter guard over a curved gutter, you’ll have created the perfect spot for insects to nest in. Bees and hornets are common examples of insects that often build colonies in the cozy space in your gutters. Birds can also nest in your gutter if a section of the screen comes loose and there’s enough space for them to enter the gutter.
Insects and birds can move in during the long, dry months. If they finish building their nests and colonies before the rainy season starts, chances are they’ll stay put even when the rain starts pouring. You can only wait for the birds to leave their nests or hire a pest control company to get rid of the colony for you.
4. Gutters with traditional gutter guards need frequent cleaning.
Since traditional gutters are prone to trapping roof debris, it only means that they require frequent cleaning. It’s not just a matter of sweeping leaves off the roof but also clearing mulch out from the gutter (even if they effectively block leaves and twigs, the gutter screens cannot keep dirt from falling through). It’s an extra responsibility that we don’t imagine any homeowner would be happy to take on.
What’s the Ideal Solution, Then?
Roof and gutter experts have developed a much more efficient method of keeping gutters debris-free without compromising roof integrity or creating possibilities for roof leaks. One of them is the seamless gutter. We at Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters took seamless gutters one step further, however, with the LeafLock Gutter Protection System™.
Our gutters have a “nose forward” design that covers the entire gutter and has a curved edge. Through surface tension, rainwater will follow the curve and flow inwards toward the gutter. The gap between the Leaflock gutter protector and the gutter is narrow, however. Leaves and debris cannot enter the gutter and will simply drop down the ground.
Get in touch with us if you want to know more about the LeafLock Gutter Protection System™. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you a quote.
Easy Ways to Weatherproof Your Home
/in Updates /by Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters LLCThe United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reductions reports an alarming increase in climate-related disasters during the last 20 years. A total of 6,681 climate-related events occurred between 2000 and 2019 as opposed to just 3,656 between 1980 and 1999.
Although natural disasters are unavoidable, there are ways to reduce their effect on your home. Investing in quality sealants and roof gutter protection, for instance, can do wonders for your property. Weatherproofing your home will help you save thousands of dollars in repairs.
Follow these steps to keep your property safe against floods, high winds, and low temperature.
Seal windows and doors
Windows and doors are the main entry point of air, so ensure they are adequately sealed. Escaping air might be costing you money on your heating and cooling. Reinforcing your doors and windows will make your home more energy-efficient over time.
One way to spot leaky areas is to light a candle and hold it a few inches from around the door and window frames. If it flickers, it means a draft is coming in.
Use caulk or foam tape to solve cracks, leaks, or drafts. If you live in colder regions, consider installing storm windows or shutters for maximum protection. Ensure older windows are repaired or replaced if necessary.
Drapes and heavier shades help keep drafts and cold air out from around the window frame. Consider adding plastic covering on the inside of your windows for extra insulation.
Replace or fix leaky roofs
Your roof is your first defense against the elements. It endures a lot throughout the year which is why it must be given ample care and attention. Even minor roofing problems should not be ignored. It can take no time at all for a small leak to turn into a costly disaster.
Replace missing shingles instantly and keep an eye out for water damage on the ceiling. Peeling paint may also indicate moisture damage. Regular and proactive maintenance will extend the lifespan of your roof.
Unclog gutters and downspouts
Over time, leaves, pine needles, and other debris may clog your gutters and downspouts and trap rainwater. When the temperature drops, the trapped water freezes and expands, which may cause your gutter system to crack or burst. Snow and ice may also reach the edge of your gutters or into your shingles, resulting in a roof leak.
Schedule routine gutter inspections to remove debris and ensure rainwater can flow freely. Prevent future buildup by installing gutter guards which, when added, protect your gutters, and keep debris outside of the gutter structure.
Protect your home with seamless gutter systems
Severe weather can cause structural problems and make minor issues worse. Weatherproofing your home will help keep your utility costs low and your investment in tip-top shape for years to come.
At Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters, we offer an extremely reliable gutter protection system to safeguard your home from clogs, leaks, and costly damage. Call us at (877) 594-7449 for durable, maintenance-free gutter protection solutions.
How to Keep Water from Entering and Damaging Your Home
/in Updates /by Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters LLCWater damage is one of the most expensive and frustrating issues you can have in your home. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, billions are spent on addressing water damage around the country every year. Not only does it get worse over time, but once water seeps into certain parts of your house, it can be incredibly difficult to remove or even control. This is why prevention is the far better alternative for this issue.
This article will detail several tips on how you can prevent water damage in your home. When it comes to shielding your home’s gutters from water damage, our LeafLock gutter protection system is your top choice. Learn more below.
Protect Your Basement
There are three common causes of water seepage in the basement. This may lead to molds and further degradation of your home’s structure. In worse cases, it can also lead to flooding.
Protect Your Exterior
The exterior of most homes is made up of three integral components – the roof, the walls, and the gutters. Damaged exteriors is one of the most common causes of water entering the home.
Protect Your Pipes
When too much pressure builds up in your home’s water pipes, cracks and leaks may occur. To prevent this, make sure that everything connected to the water lines is regularly checked. This includes appliances, faucets, showers, tubs, and other fixtures.
If you’re stepping out of the house, don’t leave your washing machine running. If you’re going on a long trip, make sure to cut the water supply to this appliance completely.
Get familiar with your water system and remember where and how to turn the valve off.
If you have access to both your water and heating pipes, make sure that you check for cracks and other damages. These are the kinds of problems that will eventually get worse, more expensive, and potentially dangerous when left unattended.
Take Away
Water damage is a serious problem and one that is entirely avoidable. Follow these tips and prevent water from entering your home and causing expensive structural issues.
If you have problems with your gutter system or you’d just like to know more general house maintenance tips, feel free to call us at 877-594-744 or visit our Contact page.
Winter Preparation: 4 Metal Roof Problems to Look for and Repair
/in Updates /by Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters LLCThe cold season has set in, so many homeowners are busy with their winter preparation chores. Take the time to make sure your house is in tip-top shape before the snowy months. This way, you can snuggle in and enjoy the winter without worrying if your home can take the cold.
One thing you should include in your winter home maintenance checklist is metal roof repair. Metal roofs are often lauded for their durability, but they can still get damaged. You need to attend to these issues before the snow sticks around. Otherwise, your roof might leak and cause serious structural damage to your house.
Follow this guide on how to repair metal roofs to ensure reliable protection for your home against the elements this winter.
1. Leaks
Leaks are among the most common metal roof problems. In most cases, metal roof leaks are caused by extreme weather, such as when ice freezes then thaws quickly on gutters.
Improper installation may also cause leakage. The seams of the metal panels might not be aligned, creating gaps where moisture can pass through. Problems with your roof’s flashing can also result in leaks.
Identify the source of the leak before doing anything else. However, this may be difficult for untrained eyes. Call a professional metal roof repair contractor to make sure the problem is resolved promptly.
2. Damaged Flashing
The flashing is crucial in preventing water damage on roofs. Check for scratches, holes, or corroded spots in the flashing. You can plug these with roofing cement or patch them using the same material as the flashing.
If the flashing is badly damaged, you’ll have to replace it. Scrape the old caulking compound around the dormers, then use a stiff brush to remove the flashing. Apply urethane roofing cement between the flashing and the siding. Make sure to seal the seams to prevent leaks.
3. Scratches and Punctures
Falling debris from nearby trees and large amounts of snowfall can scuff and puncture your metal roof. These problems impact your roof’s integrity; scratches can chip away at the protective coating and small holes can lead to leaks.
Minor scuffs can easily be buffed with a touch-up pen or the right kind of paint. But if the scratch runs all the way down to the substrate, you need to bring it up with a contractor.
You can patch small holes on your metal roof by using the same sheet or panel. Apply a urethane sealant of the same color on the area you are repairing. Press the small patch onto the hole until the sealant squeezes out from the sides. Smooth over the excess sealant to completely seal the sides of the patch.
4. Oil Canning
Metal roofs sometimes develop wrinkles or waves on the panels. This is called oil canning or stress wrinkling. Oil canning is common for metal roofs, usually occurring when the metal system can’t hold its flat form anymore. Improper installation can also lead to wrinkles on the metal panels.
Sadly, there’s not much you can do to correct oil canning in metal roofing. If the wrinkling is extreme, you can replace the damaged panels. Choose a light-colored material with a matte finish that doesn’t reflect light too much to make imperfections less noticeable.
Most importantly, work with a metal roofing company that is careful and diligent during the installation process. They know how much tension and space to give each panel so that the roofing system won’t get deformed due to stress.
If you are not sure how to resolve your metal roof problem, your best bet is to call a trained professional. It is always good to schedule a maintenance check before the winter to prevent these issues from sprouting up in the first place.
High-Quality Metal Roofing Guaranteed
At Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters, we offer excellent metal roofing services for homeowners and commercial property owners. Our specialists make sure that roofing systems are installed correctly to maximize their function and durability.
We also offer speedy roof repair services. Our technicians will identify the root of the problem and apply the appropriate fix quickly so you can go back to your daily routine.
Call us at 877-594-7449 today to get a no-obligation quote.