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Wednesday, October 26, 2016

6 Spooky, Scary Gutter Surprises

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704
(631) 816-2498

Excited to curl up this weekend with your favorite candy, your hero cape and a long, long horror flick marathon in celebration for the holiday? Here at All Aluminum, we love Halloween and horror just as much as the next guy, but we draw the line when the bumps in the night are coming from our gutter system!
Slugs: If you’ve ever had the misfortune of stepping on an unsuspecting slug in the dark of night, you know first hand how icky their slimy, soft texture can be. Now, imagine a colony of slugs slithering through your dirty gutter system. It’s enough to send shivers down your spine!

Spiders:
While they may be the perfect decoration item for this spooky, scary time of the year, they’re definitely not a pest you’d want nesting around your home. Sure, a few spiders are good for natural pest control, but an entire colony residing in your eaves is a creepy though.

Centipedes:
As if eight legs wasn’t enough, let's add about a hundred more! While they’re generally harmless, like their gutter dwelling friends the slug and the spider, they’re still not getting an invite indoors any time soon. Unfortunately, if they take up residence in dirty gutters, they just might enter unannounced.

Mosquitoes:
We realize it’s the off-season for these tiny vampires, but nonetheless, they’re definitely up there on our list of “least favorite insects.” To make matters worse, they thrive and breed in standing water. That means your gutters are a prime target if they’re not draining correctly.

Termites: The jaws, or mandibles, of these tiny creatures are strong enough to chomp right through the wood of your fascia boards. But they won’t stop there. Once inside your walls, termites will eat their way right through your beams, compromising your home structure.

Mice:
Cute and furry, yes. A pleasure to have living in your gutters and eaves, no. Like the other critters mentioned above, mice not only leave droppings and contaminate your home with disease, but they can attract larger predators as well. You certainly don’t want a family of raccoons nesting up there with them!

Mold: Last, but certainly not least, damp, rotting wood’s favorite companion: mold. Not only does it cause irreversible and costly damage to you home, but it can compromise your indoor air quality and the health of your family members.

Do yourself a favor. Keep your home and family safe from spooky, scary gutter dwellers with a hearty gutter cleaning from the professionals at All Aluminum Gutters. At least that’s one thing that won’t be frightening you this Halloween!

For more information about our gutter cleaning services, visit us online or call 631-816-2498.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Your 4-Step Guide to Wood Siding Repair

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704
(631) 816-2498

Has the recent rainfall on Long Island done a number on your siding? Never fear, the simple 4-step guide to wood siding repair and replacement is here!

Step #1: Detect and remove the damage.

Hopefully your siding hasn’t been completely ruined! If the damage affects only one area, carefully remove those pieces of siding by hand, remembering to pull out the nails they leave behind. Do not, we repeat, DO NOT use power tools. This can potentially damage any previously unaffected siding.

Step #2: Cut new siding carefully.

Measuring out siding takes a lot of patience and precision -- that’s why most people opt to leave it to the pros. If you do embark on a DIY repair journey, make sure you’re measuring accurately. Though seams can be filled, large gaps will be unsightly and ineffective for protection.

Step #3: Nail the new boards in place.

Almost done! Now that your new siding is cut to perfection, grab your stud finder and a handful of stainless steel ring-shank nails. It’s important to nail your board directly into the studs, and to use nails that won’t rust or come loose over time.

Step #4: Add the finishing touches.

Finally! All that’s left is to paint -- but be sure to use a good quality, water-proof exterior paint. You want to make sure that your new siding not only looks good, but performs good as well.

Would you prefer to have a professional take care of the dirty work? Or perhaps faulty gutters were to blame for the damage in the first place. Either way, All Aluminum Gutters is here to assist with all your gutter repair and siding repair needs.

For more information about our siding and gutter repair services, call 631-819-2498 today.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

A Complete Guide To Fall Home Maintenance

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704
(631) 816-2498

As Game of Thrones fan-favorite Ned Stark has said, “winter is coming,” so the time to prepare is now! Use the autumn months to get a head start on your winter prep, or face the costly consequences!

#1: Prevent pipes from freezing.

Make sure all of your plumbing is well insulated, and wrap any exposed areas with heat tape. This includes winterizing your sprinkler system. When water freezes it expands, which can cause your pipes to burst during the cooler seasons.

#2: Check and repair drafts.

If you’re feeling a cold breeze now, imagine what it will be like when winter hits. Even worse though, imagine what your energy bills will be when your heating unit is working double time to combat heat loss.

#3: Reseal your deck.

Now’s the time to prepare your deck for the cold, wet months. Sand off and repair any damage, and apply a new layer of sealant to keep the snow and rain from ruining the wood. While you’re at it, winterize and store your patio furniture as well.

#4: Inspect your siding.

Keep an eye out for chipping, peeling and warping -- as these can be good indicators of water damage. You’ll want to get these issues repaired right away to avoid further issues during the colder months.

#5: Repair your gutters.

Whether you notice any existing damage to your siding and foundation yet or not, it’s still imperative that your gutters are properly maintained. Your gutters are the first line of defense your home has against the elements!

Looking for a hand with your gutter and siding maintenance this season? If you live in Long Island, Queens, or the surrounding areas, give All Aluminum Gutters a call.

To learn more about our siding repair and gutter cleaning services, call 631-819-2498 today.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Stop Making These Common Homeowner Mistakes Now

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704
(631) 816-2498

New and old, all homeowners are guilty of these common maintenance mishaps to some degree. Read on to find out many of these homeowner sins are you’re guilty of committing, perhaps without even knowing it.
Slamming the door. We know, we sound like your mother here, but slamming the front door over and over can actually damage your home in the long run. The more force you exert, the more likely your hinges and door jambs will become weakened, allowing moisture and cold air to enter your home. So essentially, you’re letting the prospect of mold in, and the hard earned money you’re spending to heat or cool your home out.

Overworking extension cords. It might seem easier to run extension cords throughout your home, rather than hiring an electrician to install more outlets -- but fight the temptation. Using extension cords in excess is a very serious fire hazard. We’d bet you’d rather have a home with more outlets, than no more home at all due to a fire, wouldn’t you?

Relying on drywall screws. That towel bar in the bathroom and that mirror in the hall may be holding on by a thread. Many homeowners assume that drywall screws are the best option for hanging decorative items, but in actuality they’re not very good at handling weight at all. Instead of reaching for the same old screws, take a trip to the hardware store, speak with a salesperson, and stock up on a few different types so you have exactly what you need whenever you want to hang.

Forgoing gutter maintenance. Don’t let your gutters go uncleaned and uncared for. Trust us, you’ll be kicking yourself when your foundation starts to crack and your siding is peeling due to water damage. Having your gutters cleaned and inspected regularly can help avoid such costly mishaps in the future.

Looking for a trustworthy gutter contractor to perform gutter cleaning and repair work for on your home? If you live in Long Island, Queens, Westchester, or the Bronx, you’re in luck!

Dial 631-816-2498 to speak with a representative and learn how All Aluminum Gutters can help get your gutters in tip top shape before the fall season sets in.