Why Do I Need Rain Gutters?

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

As a homeowner, you have probably heard time and time again about how important it is to have rain gutters on your home. Whether it was when you were buying your home, selling your home, or remodeling your home, at one point or another mention must have been made about this particularly critical feature of your home's drainage system. 

But with so much focus and attention on rain gutters and the need to have them installed, have you ever wondered what purpose they serve and why your home needs them to function? If you have racked your brain in the past for answers to these questions, we have exactly what you need:

• When your home does not have rain gutters installed, any water produced from rain or melted snow may find itself pooling up next to your foundation. If the ground becomes overly full with excess water, your foundation may crack and start to leak. 
• Homes without gutters tend to feel the effects of water more since it comes into contact with the home on a greater scale. If runoff occurs down the exterior of your home rather than through gutters, mold and mildew can start to form or the paint on your siding may peel.
• If you rely on your basement for storage or spare rooms, then we bet you'd prefer not to be swimming in it. Should your home lack functional gutters, water could start to seep through even the smallest cracks in your walls or foundation and wind up on the bottom floor of your humble abode. 

While you read through this list, did something trigger you to take a look at the rain gutters on your home? The next time you step outside, take a moment to inspect the exterior of your home and make sure that your gutters are securely fastened and working properly. In the event that they aren't (or in the event that you don't have any) contact All Aluminum Gutters to get your home back in working order. For more information on the gutter repair and installation services we offer, visit us on our website or contact us at (631) 816-2498 today!

Three Gutter Maintenance Tips For Winter

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

In order to prolong the lifespan of your gutters and ensure that they will be able to keep water away from your home, it's necessary to perform seasonal maintenance. With Winter Storm Juno hitting Long Island and the surrounding areas earlier this week, there is no better time than now to talk about how you can take care of your gutters during one of the coldest and possibly messiest times of the year. Thanks to HGTV, we've put together a list of three gutter maintenance tips you can use at home below:

1. Remove debris - When gutters become full, they are unable to properly divert water away from your home. Therefore, in order to allow the water from melted snow and ice to make its way down your gutters, it is important to keep them clear of debris such as leaves and sticks at all times.

2. Check direction - While the purpose of your gutters is to keep water away from your home, if your downspouts and diverters are not facing the right direction, water can pool up along the foundation. Every so often - especially before and after a storm when you suspect large amounts of water will be traveling downward - make sure these components are pointed in the right direction.

3. Secure your gutters - At no point should your gutters be detached from your home. During the winter season, make sure that there is no space between your fascia and gutters to ensure that the water from wet wintry mixes ends up in the right place.

In addition to performing your own winter maintenance, one of the best ways to ensure that your gutters are ready to perform during the winter season is to have them inspected by a professional. Not sure who to call? If you're located in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, the Bronx or Westchester, contact us for help! Here at All Aluminum Gutters, our services include gutter cleaning, gutter repairs and more. To learn more, visit us at www.allaluminumgutters.com or give us a call at (631) 816-2498 today.

Best Practices to Remove Icicles From Your Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

If you're located on Long Island, then you're probably aware of the winter weather advisory alert that has been announced for tonight into tomorrow. With a mix of snow and rain in our forecast accompanied by low temperatures, there's a chance that winter conditions - such as icicles - will be left behind.

Although groups of icicles can be a pretty scene to look at, it's important to realize that they pose a threat to our homes due to the way they hang from our gutters. That's why it's important to spend some time getting rid of them before they get too heavy and weigh down vital pieces of our homes. If this weekend leaves you with such shimmering sticks hanging from your gutters, use the following techniques to remove them:

1. Using the proper tool, such as a roof rake, gently prod or scrape at the icicles to weaken them. However, keep your body position in mind and avoid standing directly under the icicle in order to keep it from falling on you.
2. Place heat tape on your gutters near where the icicles have formed to encourage the melting process.
3. Carefully pull the icicles off by hand. Since you will likely need to use a ladder to reach them, avoid leaning on your gutters in the process so that they don't have to carry any extra weight. When taking them off, be sure to not pull too hard so that your gutters remain securely fastened to your home.

Do you have another helpful tip on how to remove icicles from your home? What about ways to prevent them from forming? If so, we'd love to hear it, so be sure to visit us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ page to let us know!

Here at All Aluminum Gutters, we specialize in gutter cleaning, repair and replacement. If winter weather conditions land you with gutter damage this year, contact us for help! Our services extend to Suffolk County, Nassau County, Queens, the Bronx and Westchester. For more information, visit us on our website or give us a call at (631) 816-2498 today.

5 Warning Signs That Suggest You Need New Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

When you think about the different features of your home, which would you say is the most important to have? Windows? Doors? A functioning plumbing system? While all three are critical components of any home, gutters are actually one of the most important things that you need. But why? Well, while your roof and other features such as windows and doors work to keep you safe and dry, gutters are responsible for directing the water away from your home so that nothing accidentally winds up inside.

Now, since your home is probably already equipped with gutters (or so we hope), would you know if it was time to have them replaced? If not, see below for 5 warning signs that suggest you need new ones: 

1. Cracks: A minute crack here or there won't do much harm, right? Wrong! If cracks aren't handled as soon as they're found, they'll only get bigger and allow more water to escape.
2. Peeling Paint: When paint starts to chip or peel, it's a sign that rust may be in your future; likely a result of water that remains in or around your gutters for too long.
3. Puddles: Like we said earlier, a gutter's main purpose is to carry water away from the base of your home. If you start to notice that puddles are forming near your foundation, chances are that your gutters can no longer do their job properly.
4. Water Marks: Water marks underneath your gutters suggests that water is escaping to some degree. Even if you can't visibly see where the water is coming from, water damage to the gutter itself is a sign that it needs to be replaced.
5. They're Loose: Gutters should be securely fastened to your home at all times. If they aren't, it's a sure sign that they are no longer able to protect your home.

Take a moment to think about your home; are any of these signs evident in your gutters? If so, it's time to call All Aluminum Gutters! At All Aluminum Gutters, our services cover all kinds of projects, such as gutter cleaning, gutter screening, and gutter installation. But most importantly, we're available to perform gutter repairs and replacement! To learn more about how we can help, please visit us on our website or give us a call at (631) 816-2498 today!