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LeafGuard Cincinnati
Gutter Clogged with Leaves

Signals Your Gutters Need Replacement

Gutters in poor working condition are a detriment to your property.  Without them, your basement can become flooded, your landscape can wash away, and your driveway can be transformed into an ice arena.  Call us if you notice any of the below issues because it means your gutters should be replaced sooner than later.

Leaking Gutters: One of the biggest perks of LeafGuard® Brand Gutters is their seamless design.  This means that water does not have the ability to leak through seams?  Why does this matter?  Leaks in the seams of your gutters allow water to directly pass through them and straight towards your foundation and landscaping.  Best case, your mulch washes away during a heavy rainstorm.  Worst case?  Your basement becomes flooded or your foundation begins cracking.

Pooling Water Around Your Foundation: The primary function of gutters is to filter away from your home’s foundation.  If you’re seeing puddles of water or mildew in close proximity to your house’s foundation, it means that there’s an issue causing your gutters to not work as they should.  Call a professional ASAP before the damage to your foundation is irreversible.

Gutters Pulling Away From Your House: If this is happening, it’s because the gutters are full of weighty water that cannot be dispersed.  Regardless, if this is happening, the gutters cannot function as they should and are doing little to collect rainwater and direct away from your foundation.

Dry Rot on the Exterior of Your Home: Gutter leaks that are left undetected allow excessive rainwater to come in contact with wood on the exterior of your home.  If you’re noticing your window wraps disintegrating or your fascia board cracking, it is likely malfunctioning gutters are the culprit.

Rust on Your Siding: Homes with galvanized steel gutters are prone to rust spots on their siding.  As the outer coating wears down, the steel begins oxidize which leads to the creation of rust.  This rust will eventually stain the siding creating a genuine eyesore.  Opting for LeafGuard® Brand Gutters, which are comprised from aluminum 20% thicker than basic gutters, eliminates this worry altogether.

You’re Continuously Climbing Your Gutters to Eliminate Clogs: Climbing a ladder to unclog your gutters is a downright dangerous chore and results in an outrageous number of emergency room visits each year.  Switching to LeafGuard® Brand Gutters means that if for any reason your gutters clog, it’s our team coming out to address the situation.  Best yet?  Our no-clog warranty applies to you and the next homeowner, making it a selling point when you list your home.

Ask These Questions before Hiring a Roofing Contractor

Most of us will probably only hire a roofer a handful of time in our lifetime.  If you’ve determined your roof needs replacement and you’re in the process of hiring a professional, ask these five questions to make sure the roofer you’re considering is the right person for the job.

“Have you ever done business under a different name?” The reaction from this question is more important than the actual response.  That’s because it’s highly improbable that a contractor that went under and had to restart their business under a different name isn’t going to be likely to want to share lots of details.  If you’re questioning the caliber or work a roofer will perform, it’s wise to investigate them on watchdog websites like the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List.

“Can you provide me a list of local references?” Any reputable roofer should be able to easily supply a list of area homeowners that they have performed work for.  Be sure that the list includes recent installs, as well as those a few years old.  This will provide a well-rounded understanding of current practices and how well older projects are holding up.

“Are you willing to provide your estimate in writing?” Trustworthy roofing contractors are accustomed to putting their proposal in writing.  Bear in mind that an estimate should include information such as timeline for work being commenced once the contract is signed, payment expectations, and color & material being used.  This information keeps everyone on the same page.

“Can you provide me with a local address?” Be wary of any roofing contractor that supplies a PO box as their primary address.  Lack of a physical address makes it nearly impossible to track down a roofer if they collect a down payment and don’t complete the work.  Storm chasing roofers that have a physical location, though several states away are a gamble to work with because it is much more difficult to get them to make any needed adjustments after initial installation.

“What will be done to protect my landscaping?” Seasoned roofers have concise procedures in place to protect a home’s landscaping during tear-off.  This includes dedicating specific spots for shingles to be dropped during tear-off and the use of tarps.  The roofer you entrust for your project should also coordinate the delivery and removal of a dumpster for your project.  Placement should be in an agreed upon area that does not prevent you from entering and exiting your garage.

 

GAF Timberline Shingles on Home

The Top Five Signs You Need a New Roof

Your roof’s entire purpose is to shelter your home from Mother Nature.  A roof that’s exceeded its lifespan can wreak havoc in many ways.  It can be a fine line between replacing a roof too early and waiting too long. If you’re questioning when to replace your roof, here are some signals to look for:

You Have an Old Roof

While the GAF roofs we install come with a 50-year, non-prorated warranty on both labor and materials, most others do not.  In fact, asphalt roofs as young as 20-years-old can need replacement due to shingle quality or subpar installation.

Shingle Granule Loss

 When a roof reaches the end of its lifespan, it’s common to see the granules on the shingles flaking off and landing in your gutters. The granules act as a protective membrane and once they begin to shed, roof replacement is a must.

Other Asphalt Roofs in Your Neighborhood Being Replaced 

It’s common for homes within the same neighborhood to have been built around the same time and even by the same builder.  This means that neighborhood roofs have roughly the same lifespan.  If your neighbors are having a new roof installed, it’s worth investigating whether yours does too.  While roof hail damage can be spotty, if you notice other roofs in your area being re-roofed, have a reputable professional evaluate yours.

Buckling or Curling Shingles 

If you notice either of these signs, it’s likely a new roof is needed.  Direct your attention to the roof’s slopes in the sunshine.  If granules are missing or the shingles aren’t lying flat, it’s a sign that your roof deck may be exposed to elements that can damage it.

Sagging Roof 

A floppy roof needs professional attention ASAP.  Inspect the roof’s surface for indications that moisture has become trapped.  These include boards that have become warped and spots that are sagging.

Couple looking at new home

How to Choose a Roof Color That Boosts Your Curb Appeal

Once you’ve determined the roofing contractor you’re working with and the type of shingle you want to use, it’s time to choose the color for your new roof. While at first thought it can seem like a straightforward decision, there are many factors that should weigh into your decision.  That’s because companies like GAF offer 50-year, non-prorated warranties on both labor and materials.  Here are our top tips for picking a roof shingle color that makes the most sense for your home.

Matching Shingle Color to Brick House

During the roof color selection process, it’s wise to consider that while features like landscaping and window trim can be changed easily, brick is much more permanent.  Choosing a roof that works well with your brick ensures a decision you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Choose Shingle Colors That Complement Your Home’s Exterior

When determining the best color for roof shingles, sometimes matching too well works against you. When putting together an outfit, a string of basic pearls blends in with a white pant suit.  It’s not an incorrect choice, it’s just a bland choice.  However, partnering the same suit with a jewel-toned necklace adds interest and a splash of color. While it’s wise to take into account your home’s siding when picking a roof, matching it exactly can look boring.

Shingle Colors Can Appear Different Depending on the Lighting

 Your roof exists on your home morning, noon, and night, so remember to investigate how roof shingle colors look in multiple light scenarios.  It’s sensible to see how the shingles look at all times of the day  so that you can determine the best color roof shingles for yor your home. 

Bold Shingle Colors Aren’t Always The Best Option

 In the realm of roofing, bold isn’t necessarily better.  With a roof lasting as long as 50 years, like those we offer from GAF, it’s smart to select a color that’s timeless.  While green, red, and blue are exciting choices, they may scare off future buyers of your home because they are so unconventional. Be sure to contemplate resale value before picking a permanent shingle color.

Architectural Home Styles Can Influence Roof Shingle Color

Don’t ignore the architectural style of your home. If you live in a vintage home, it’s wise to choose a color that would have been available in that era.  If you reside in a rustic or ranch home, earth tones work well.  Stucco homeowners see a lot of success with orange hues.

Marple leaves in gutter, fall time

A Word about Clogged Gutters & the Damage They Cause

 4 Problems Caused by Damage From Clogged Gutters

Conservative statistics estimate that 100,000 emergency room visits each year are the direct result of falling off a ladder.  Many times, these injuries are directly associated with someone taking a fall because they lost their balance climbing a ladder to clean their clogged gutters.  It’s one of the many dangers of clogged gutters and an extremely hazardous chore that needs safety training and equipment.  However, this chore can be eliminated entirely with the installation of LeafGuard® Gutters, which we guarantee never to clog, or we’ll offer you a complimentary cleaning.  Here are a few other ways that damage from clogged gutters can spell trouble in your home:

Do Gutters Cause Home Foundation Issues? 

Your gutters work hard to take in rainwater from your roof and filter it a safe distance away from your home foundation.  Gutters that are clogged prevent water from freely flowing through the system.  Instead, clogs cause water to overflow and pool, making it come in direct contact with your foundation.  If this issue persists, erosion that weakens the walls can cause foundation cracking resulting in an eventual collapse.  The risk for mold in your home also heightens.

Rotten Fascia Boards Are a Result of Damage from Clogged Gutters 

Most gutter manufacturers have determined that attaching gutters to a home’s fascia board works better than attachment to the shingles which often voids a roof’s warranty.  However, one of the most common reasons why fascia boards rot is the result of clogged gutter damage. This is because blocked gutters can cause water to overflow and come in direct contact with a home’s wooden fascia board causing them to rot.  The damage from clogged gutters doesn’t stop there, this rot will cause the gutters to pull away from the house, spilling water near your foundation and landscaping.

Blocked Gutters Are a Hotspot & Breeding Ground for Mosquitoes

Gutters clogged with dirty rainwater and organic debris provide the perfect breeding ground environment for mosquitoes to populate.

Ice Dams 

The dangers of clogged gutters in the winter spell real trouble because they lead to build-up up on your roof, causing ice dams to form.  If left long enough, the water will leak into your attic, getting your insulation wet, causing thousands of dollars in damage.