Seamless Gutter Replacement: What are Your Options?

Roof Raking and Safe Ways of Doing It

Roofing: Why Choose Metal Roof?

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“Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful….” And So Is All Of The Snow On Your Roof!

There are several reasons why the snow on your roof can be dangerous to your home. It may look pretty and seem like something that you can’t avoid, but here are some reasons that you should do something about the snow on your roof.

• The more snow we get, the heavier it becomes on your roof. 2 words – cave in! Snow can actually cause your roof to cave in.
• Snow can result in roof leaks. Nobody wants a leaky roof over the holidays!
• Ice, snow, and water can cause your roof to warp and rot. We all know roofs are not cheap to replace, so it is important to keep the one you have in good condition.
• Wintery precipitation left on your roof can cause stains.

Alloy Gutter Company offers snow removal from roofs. We also apply calcium chloride to aid melting and prevent the future accumulation of more snow and ice.

Prepare Your House For The Holidays – From The Outside In!

Now is the time of year that everyone is thinking about upcoming festivities and decorating for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other various winter holidays. It is also the time of year that homeowners should be buttoning up winter projects and preparing their homes for the long, cold, snowy, winter months (especially in a state like Michigan!)

One thing that you should be sure to do is clean out your gutters. You can do this yourself or hire a professional, like Alloy Gutter Company, to do the work for you. Gutter cleaning is important because leaves and debris become heavier and heavier as they soak up water and eventually turn to ice. This can cause your gutters to pull away from your home, which is a whole new problem. So be sure to get your gutters cleaned while there is still time!

Now is also a good time to install leaf protection on your gutters. All three styles of leaf protection that we offer can be installed on new or existing gutter systems. When we install leaf protection, we also take the time to clean out your gutters and downspouts. Leaf protection is the gift that keeps on giving – making your future seamless gutter maintenance much more manageable!

Let your mind be at ease this winter knowing that you took the proper precautions in caring for your greatest investment – your home!

Vinyl Siding: Why is It Best for Home Designs

Trim and Soffit: What to Avoid during Installation

Trim and Soffit: All About Them

Siding Gives Your Home a Makeover

Seamless Rain Gutter and Its Popularity

Seamless Gutters: Getting a Nice Looking Gutter for Your Home

Help Your Homeowners Prepare For Winter!

There are many reasons it is important to keep your seamless aluminum rain gutters clean. It becomes especially important for them to be clean once winter rolls around. One major reason is that the added weight of debris in the gutters beneath a heavy layer of ice can cause gutters to pull away from the house. Failure to keep your gutters clean can result in roof leaks, rotten fascia board, and damage to your foundation – all of which are major, yet preventable problems.

• Alloy Gutter can clean your customers’ gutters before winter hits. This will help to eliminate the issue of gutters pulling away from their homes due to the added weight of wet, gunky leaves.
• Alloy Gutter can install leaf protection systems on your customers’ homes to eliminate this problem in the future.

Exterior Home Improvements don’t have to end with autumn!

Snow On Your Roof? Consider Roof Raking

Alloy Gutter Company offers roof-raking and snow removal from roofs. We also can apply calcium chloride to melt the snow. This helps to prevent ice damming and also removes the heavy weight of snow from the roof that can cause damage or even a roof to cave in. Removing snow from a roof can be dangerous, why not have an insured expert take the stress out of taking care of your roof. Call us today at (734) 206-2865 for a free estimate or to discuss any questions you might have.

Heavy Snow Can Cause:

• Cave In’s
• Water Intrusion
• Warping
• Rotting
• Brown Stains

Are Icicles An Indication Of Improper Pitch On Your Gutters?

It looked like it was going to be a mild Michigan winter this year, but in the last couple of weeks Winter has unleashed her fury… And where there is melting snow on roofs, there are icicles. But do your icicles indicate a problem?

Frozen Waterfall

Icicles on a Home

As you can see from the above picture, moving water freezes whether it is falling from a steep waterfall or a steep fall off the gutters of a home. Many people worry that the presence of icicles hanging on their gutters indicate a problem with the pitch of their installed gutters. This is most likely NOT the case.

So what does cause icicles on your home?
Experts say they are a byproduct of an “ice dam,” a buildup of ice on the roof along the part of the roof that extends beyond the exterior wall or the eaves. The buildup is a result of energy loss from inside the house. Not only does this loss of heat have a high monetary cost, but It also can lead to problems like rotted roofs and rafters, ruined insulation, moisture inside the walls, mold, peeling paint and even physical injury from falling icicles.

When the snow on the roof melts from the loss of heat off the roof, it runs down to the eaves. When the outdoor temperatures are cold enough to freeze, the eaves are also frozen since they extend beyond the warmth of your house. The melted snow freezes when it reaches the eaves and your gutters. Eventually, enough melted snow (that has now frozen) fills the gutters. When melting snow runs over the filled frozen gutters, icicles are the result.

How can you prevent icicles?
It’s simple! Fix the problem that is letting heat get out of your home by way of your roof. Insulate or re-insulate your attic.

In the mean time, have the snow that will eventually melt removed. We can help with our Roof Raking service.

Seamless Gutters: Protect Your Home

Seamless gutters are designed to collect water as it comes off of your roof and direct that water away from your home. It sounds simple, but it is very important to protect your home from water in this manner. The pitch of your gutter system is equally important. Gutters must be pitched to drain, so that water does not collect in your gutters and just sit there. Standing water can be a major problem in and of itself, attracting pesky insects such as mosquitoes!

We understand that your home is your most valuable asset, as well as an ongoing investment. We want to help you protect and preserve that investment. That is why we have our seamless gutter experts to take care of your water management.

Leaf Protection: Protect Your Gutters

Does leaf protection really matter?

• Gutters are the first line of defense against water leaking into your home.
• If your gutters are clogged with debris, water is probably not draining away from your home properly.
• If water is not draining properly, it can collect along your foundation, possibly leading to dreaded basement leaks.
• The weight of water and debris sitting in your gutters can cause your gutters to pull away from your home.
• Clogged and dirty gutters can promote ice dams in the winter, which are particularly dangerous and can lead to your gutters falling off your house completely due to the weight of the ice.
• Gutters that are full of debris and mucky water can attract nasty vermin – including carpenter ants, mosquitoes, and other rodents.  Once these critters make it into your gutters, their next stop would be inside your house!

Our solution: Leaf Protection!

We offer 3 types of leaf protection.

Strainer style is our most popular style, as it sits flush in the gutter and is not visible from the ground. Many of our own employees, including our owner, have this product on their homes! It is a great seller.

Shelter style is another popular leaf protection that we offer. The way it works is that leaves, debris, and twigs will land on top of the system and are blown off by the wind. Rainwater will flow down your roof into the “patent-pending Aluma Flow Louver System,” where it is then directed through your gutters to an outlet, and then discharges out of the downspout. It comes in 12 colors to match your existing gutters or your roof shingles, if you desire.

Our final leaf protection product is Helmet style. One of the benefits of this product is that it is easy to repair and can be replaced in 4 feet panels, in case of a fallen tree or something of that nature. It is said to handle any imaginable amount of rainfall due to its heavy duty material and thoughtfully engineered design.  This product comes in 15 colors, plus copper, to match your new or existing gutters.

Having been in business for over 37 years, we have tested many different types of leaf protection products. After careful research and many years of experience, we have found these products to be of the best quality and value. We can, however, obtain and install other types of leaf protection per request. However, we feel that you will be more than satisfied with any of these 3 products. Call us today to set up a free estimate.

Cheers to leaf-free gutters!

The Benefits of Alloy Gutter’s Leaf Protection Systems

Shelter Style

1. Prevents clogged gutters which can damage basements, foundations, and landscaping
2. Does not require replacement of gutters, can be installed over existing 5″ or 6″ gutters
3. Handles the heaviest rains
4. Ultra Low Profile is barely visible from the ground
5. Adds years to existing gutter systems

Strainer Style

1. No maintenance necessary
2. Stays in place – resistant to rain, snow, wind – and pests
3. Fits securely in new or existing 5″ or 6″ gutter
4. No need to lift shingles – leaving your roof and its’ warranty in tact
5. Keeps leaves, twigs, branches out

Helmet Style

1. Guaranteed for Life!
2. 4-ft panels are easy to replace in case one or more is damaged by an external force (falling tree limb, etc)
3. Does not affect your roof or its’ warranty because the product screws directly into your gutters
4. Offers a custom fit
5. Aluminum end caps and miters enclose the system to ensure debris and animals stay out!

Contractor’s Call Today for a FREE Estimate or fill out our form online.  (734) 206-2865

Nobody's Perfect

Once upon a time there was a customer; we’ll call her Mrs. Smith. She hired a contractor to install seamless gutters and downspouts on her house. Mrs. Smith was very particular about everything. She carefully picked her colors, discussed every last detail with the crew, and sat in her lawn chair with her precious little toy poodle Taffy to oversee their workmanship.

The job progressed smoothly while Mrs. Smith and Taffy barked out requests and orders as they saw necessary. As the men were finishing, Mrs. Smith had to go inside to take a phone call, leaving Taffy to supervise. The crew members went around the back of the house to start the clean-up process, making sure to leave the job site spotless. Taffy remained in the front of the house curiously poking around the men’s tool belts. She found a tube of gutter sealant, pulled it out of the tool pouch, and proceeded to roll around in fresh caulk.

Mrs. Smith exited the house at the exact same time that the workers came around to see the site. To the shock and horror of everyone involved, Taffy was covered in the very difficult to remove sealant. Mrs. Smith went CRAZY!!! She was absolutely furious, crying that her poor baby would never be the same.

Long story short, we here at Alloy Gutter paid for the puppy spa so that Taffy could get a proper clean-up and haircut. Mrs. Smith was satisfied with our willingness to do so, and in the end was quite pleased with our work to boot.

The point is, we all make mistakes. The important thing is that we take responsibility for our mistakes and satisfy our customers to the very best of our ability. We've been striving to do what’s right for 35 years now. Play your cards right and give us a shot; you might get a free cat pedicure out of the deal.

“My Old Gutters Never Filled With Ice”

We field calls like this on a regular basis during the winter months.  Ice dams are one of those “inconvenient truths” that we as Michiganders have to deal with each winter.

Ice dams are created when ice and snow begin to melt off of the roof due to the home losing heat through the attic and through the shingles.  As the water then flows down the roof, it reaches the gutters which are much colder than the shingles, and re-freezes.

When water re-freezes, it can do a number of things:
1.   It can pour over the front of the gutter, creating large and sometimes dangerous icicles. 
2.   It can work its way between the gutters and fascia, giving the appearance of a leak. 
3.   It can travel up the roof line and, unfortunately, even underneath the shingles.

All of these problems, albeit frustrating, are normal.  Ice dams occur on homes regardless of the pitch, condition, or workmanship of gutters. A couple of possible solutions to this problem are:
1.   Additional insulation to slow the heat loss through the roof.  This will save you money on your heating costs and could potentially improve your ice dam situation. 
2.   Another solution is hiring someone to remove the ice and snow from your roof and apply CaCl to the gutters and roof edges.

The folks who call stating, “My old gutters never filled with ice” are mistaken.  Either they never paid attention to the condition of their old gutters, or the old ones were magical. This would be like buying a new car, and after the first snow you call Ford Motor Company and tell them that you’re tired of using your snow scraper and you want them to do something about it, because your old car never got covered with ice and snow. (Maybe they actually field calls like this!)

Of course I’m being facetious but ice dams are difficult to impossible to avoid in Michigan winters.  Be patient, wait for a thaw, and your ice problem will go away.  I know, these Michigan winters sure feel long, but they always end.

Cleaning the OUTSIDE of Your Gutters!

We all know how to keep in the inside of our gutters clean - with regular cleanings or the installation of leaf protection products, but few people are aware of the suggested solution for cleaning the outside of gutters.

Some gutters, especially white ones, can get what we call "tiger-stripes." This happens when dirt and grime build up in the lip of the gutter, and moisture is combined with the pollutants in the gutter, causing the filthy mixture to stream down the front of your gutters. Rain causes the dirt and grime in the gutter to overflow down the front of the gutter, even more so in especially rainy spring and summer months (HELLO, MICHIGAN THIS YEAR!!) 

The good news is.... there is a do-it-yourself solution to help you get rid of these hideous streaks!

The recipe is as follows:

• 1/3 cup laundry detergent
• 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate 
• 1 quart 5% bleach 
• 3 quarts water. 

Mix, apply to the gutters, and rinse.

This should take care of your problem!  Happy Cleaning!

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Why Do You Need Seamless Gutters?

In a state like Michigan that experiences frequent rainfall, seamless gutters are of utmost importance.

Water can be very damaging to the structure of your home, and gutters are your first defense against water.

Having seamless gutters on your home will prevent rain water from flowing off your roof right onto your head as you enter and exit your home. Without gutters, sheets of water will run right off of your roof.

Seamless, as opposed to sectional, gutters minimize annoying, dripping leaks.

Gutters protect your expensive concrete work. Constant dripping water can erode away your walkways, driveways, paver sidewalks, and brickwork.

Gutters protect your soil from erosion, preserving your home's curb appeal and keeping your landscaping in tact!

Gutters direct water away from your home's foundation, reducing mold, mildew, oxidation, and insect infestation in your basement, foundation, and crawl spaces.

Seamless gutters also add value to your home. They are great for resale! They show that you care about water management and maintaining your home!

Do You Need New Gutters? Here Are Some Tips That Will Help You Figure That Out!

You may not pay that much attention to your gutters, but it is very important that they are functioning properly. One of the main reasons that it is important is because you do not want rain water to be pooling near your foundation, as this could potentially cause water leaks in your basement. Another reason is that rain water can erode away your concrete pavers and landscaping. An easy way to fix these problems is to ensure that you have properly functioning seamless gutters.

Reasons you might need new seamless rain gutters include:

• Your gutters have leaky corners when it rains
• Your gutters overflow when it rains
• Water goes behind the gutters
• Your gutters have visible cracks
• The paint on your gutters is peeling - this means that the gutters are leaking
• There are water marks below your gutters - indicating that your gutters are leaking and leaving these marks behind
• Your gutters are pulling away from the house

If you are not sure if you need a seamless gutter repair or replacement, call Alloy Gutter Company Inc today for a free estimate. We have been in business for over 37 years and are experts in our field, so we are happy to offer suggestions and do the troubleshooting for you!