5 Fun Ways To Upcycle Old Gutters

Gutters are best known for catching and redirecting rainfall, but that’s not all they have up their sleeve! When the time comes to replace your trusty gutters, think twice before you toss them in the trash. There are a few pretty nifty ways to reuse and recycle old gutters that you probably never even thought of.

1. Extra Garage Storage

Let’s face it, no matter how organized you may be, you’ll always need more storage options in your garage. Give those tools and gardening products somewhere to rest -- for cheap!

2. Gardening Assistants

Strawberries are just one of the many plants that thrive better when hanging. If you’re not looking for a sweet treat, try mounting your old gutters on a wall or fence and growing some herbs.

3. Easy Bookshelves

Fill your child’s room with plenty of bedtime stories! Paint a pair of old gutters and mount them on the wall for quick and easy “library pockets.” Then, hit the bookstore to fill them with their favorites.

4. Crafty Organization

Books and garage goodies aren’t the only things that can be stored in your refurbished gutters. Craft supplies like ribbon can stack securely for ease of use.

5. Picnic Surprise

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could enjoy some time sitting around the picnic table next summer without having to get up to refill your glass. This fun table inset uses old gutters to create a built-in cooler. Talk about convenience!

How will you be repurposing your old gutters after upgrading to a new, seamless aluminum system this fall? We’d love to hear all about your upcycled creations!

All Aluminum Gutters is a full service gutter cleaning, repair and installation company serving all of Long Island, Queens, Westchester and The Bronx. For more information about our services, dial 631-816-2498.

Alternative Uses For The Leaves in Your Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

It’s autumn and leaves are everywhere: In our walkways, blanketing our lawns and most often, piling up in our gutters. While cleaning leaves out of the gutters might not be your favorite DIY task, these easy leaf recycling tips for afterwards might help make some of your favorite gardening pastimes more prosperous.

Add them to the compost pile.

Shredded leaves are the perfect addition to any compost pile. After all, it’s free organic matter, that’s already on it’s way to decomposing. What more could you ask for? They’re a great source of carbon, and work best when layered with nitrogen-rich grass clippings and kitchen scraps.

Compost a separate leaf mold pile.

Contrary to what it’s unsettling name might have you believe, leaf mold actually isn’t a dangerous fungus, but rather a beneficial soil additive. Unlike a traditional compost pile, a leaf mold pile uses only leaves that decompose completely in 6-12 months. After the process is complete, leaf mold can be added to the soil around your plans to promote moisture and deliver nutrients.

Mulch around your trees and shrubs.

Skip the bagging step all together and scatter the leaves in your gutters right under your shrubs and into your shower beds. This will provide an added layer of insulation for the winter, and deter weeds from germinating.

Give your potted plants and bulbs a boost.

Layering some shredded leaves at the bottom of your planters and underneath the topsoil in your spring bulb beds can set your green thumb up for success. As the leaves break down, they’ll provide a continuous flow of nutrients to the roots. When planting bulbs, make sure to add an extra layer of leaf insulation above the top soil as well.

Are your gutters looking mighty full of leaves and debris this fall? If so, just give the gutter cleaning experts at All Aluminum Gutters a call. Serving all of Long Island, Queens, Westchester and The Bronx, there’s no gutter job we can’t handle!

To learn more about our gutter cleaning and repair services, visit us online or call 631-816-2498 today.

Why Do Leaves Change and Fall?

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

The autumn season has been affectionately nicknamed “the fall,” and for good reason. As most of you would have guessed, this clever nickname comes from the act of leaves falling down from the trees at this time of year. So, while we understand why the season is called as such, not many people understand what makes the leaves change and fall in the first place. Allow us to explain.

The Color-Changing Mystery

When looking at the reasoning behind the brilliant changing leaves, the first thing we need to consider is the sun. In autumn, the sun is more scarce than in the summer. For that reason, the chemical reaction that occurs in plant leaves is altered. The bright colors that you see today were actually always present, just masked by the photosynthesis of chlorophyll -- which causes the usual green pigment to show. When chlorophyll production is halted, the carotene (yellow), anthocyanin (red), and tannin (brown) pigments become more predominant.

And Why They All Fall Down

Now that you understand where the vivid colors come from, you’re probably wondering why they have to be shed in the first place. Couldn’t they just continue on their merry green to orange cycle throughout the season? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Believe it or not, the deciduous trees that shed their leaves in fall are actually doing so for protection from harsh weather conditions. You might be thinking, “but wouldn’t leaves keep them warm?” On the contrary, leaves are most susceptible to damage. Shedding them minimizes the amount of seasonal damage and allows the tree to preserve water and energy throughout the season.

Regardless of why they change or fall, one things is for certain… when they make their way into your gutters they can sure wreak havoc! Don’t let your gutters suffer this season. Call All Aluminum Gutters and request a professional gutter cleaning today.

For more on our gutter cleaning services or to schedule an appointment, call 631-816-2498.

DIY or Don't? Avoid Risky Gutter Repairs

All Aluminum Gutters
531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

The DIY home improvement trend is huge right now. Heck, it’s even got it’s own network! But before you set out to fix a faulty gutter on your own, ask yourself these three questions:

Is this a dangerous task?

Think about the risks involved with the repair job you’re looking to perform. Some gutter jobs are bigger than others, and therefore can be more dangerous. An estimated 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries each year, and approximately 300 of these are fatal.

Do you have the right tools?

If you don’t have the right equipment, not only are you escalating the risk factor, but you’re also setting yourself up for a failed DIY attempt. Calling a professional will ensure your gutters are repaired with precision, using only the perfect tools for the job.

Will the money you save be worth the trouble?

A good gutter repair job takes a lot of time, energy, and patience. That being said, sometimes it’s worth it to call in the professionals based on those factors alone. Also think about what will happen if your repair doesn’t go according to plan. Will you be spending more money in the long run to fix an even bigger issue? Most likely, yes.

At the end of the day, unless you’re knowledgeable and experienced with gutter installation and repair, we suggest calling in a professional contractor. At All Aluminum Gutters, we understand our customers want to fix their gutter in the most cost effective way possible. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation estimates and promise to beat any written estimate you provide.

For more information about our affordable gutter repair, installation and cleaning services, call 631-816-2498 today.