Why Seamless Gutters Are Worth It

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

(631) 816-2498

When selecting a gutter system for your home, you’re probably looking for two things: functionality and curb appeal. We don’t blame you! Lucky for you, seamless aluminum gutters have both qualities all wrapped into one -- and then some!

Curb Appeal - Seamless gutters are just how you would imagine -- seamless. Each piece is custom cut to the exact length of your exterior walls. That way, you’ll have a sleek look from any angle.

Easy Installation - Since they’re cut-to-fit, seamless gutters also happen to be one of the more easier options when it comes to installation. However, since each section can be several feet long, it takes a few people to hold and secure the gutters in place, so we don’t recommend you DIY.

Long-Lasting - There’s nothing quite as durable as an aluminum gutter system, but even more so when it’s seamless. Less connective points means there are less opportunities for leaking, sagging and rusting to occur. On average, seamless gutter can last up to 30 years.

Since they’re custom made, seamless aluminum gutters are certainly a bit more pricey, but they’re certainly still affordable. After all, the price you pay now can save you money on the price you pay for water damage caused by a faulty gutter system in the future.

All Aluminum Gutters is your one stop shop for all your gutter cleaning, gutter repair and gutter installation needs! Serving all of Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx, we also handle roofing and siding installation and repair. To learn more about our services, visit our website or call us at 631-816-2498.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

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

(631) 816-2498

Spring is here and the weather is finally warming up, which means only one thing -- spring cleaning season is in full force. But, before you begin to tear through your closets and pack away your winter wardrobe, try checking these exterior maintenance tasks off your spring cleaning to-do list first.

• Clean the gutters. Your gutters have likely retained a ton of debris over the winter, and maybe even suffered a few minor damages. On the first warm weekend of the year, get up on that ladder and start cleaning. Keep an eye out for any loose or leaking gutters.


• Repair the siding. Your home’s siding acts as it’s armor, so it’s important to make sure you replace any damaged or rotting boards. Remember, peeling or warping is a sign of water damage. If you’re looking to repaint, always sand and prime first for best results!
  
  
• Seal the house. You’re going to want to keep your cool, conditioned air indoors this season, so re-caulking around windows and doors is a must. Inspect your home for any cracks or holes and fill up whatever you find.


• Replace the screens. Keep those pesky summer bugs out by cleaning and inspecting your window and door screens for damage. Patch any holes smaller than a quarter, and replace any screens that are severely torn.


• Clean the air ducts. Air quality is key, especially when you plant to spend a ton of time indoors enjoying the air conditioning. That’s why it’s so important to have your ducts cleaned out by a professional. Trust us, you’ll be happy to avoid all those allergies.


• Inspect the roof. All that snow, wind and ice can really do a number on your roof, especially if you fell victim to ice dams this year. As you’re cleaning your gutters, take the time to brush any debris off the roof and look for damaged or missing shingles as well.


• Mow the lawn. Kick start your luscious green yard after a long, dormant winter with a good cut. Remember to remove and seed any areas that sustained severe damage, and begin watering early on to rejuvenate your yard.


• Fire up the sprinklers. As we mentioned above, irrigation is key for getting your lawn back in gear after the winter. If you haven’t already, give your local irrigation pros a call to have them blow out and start up your sprinklers for the season.

Have another must-do spring maintenance item for your home’s exterior? We’d love to hear your input in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

All Aluminum Gutters is a full services gutter cleaning, repair and installation company, serving Long Island, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx. We also provide siding, eave and soffit repairs and installations as needed. For more information, visit www.allaluminungutters.com or call us at 631-816-2498.

3 Reasons Your Downspouts Don't Work

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

(631) 816-2498

Downspouts are an important part of your gutter system. While gutters themselves serve to collect rainwater and usher it towards a central location, the downspout itself is what carries water down and away from the home for protection. If you notice that your downspouts aren’t working up to par lately, here are three of the most common reasons why that might be:

1. They’re Dirty - The number one reasons for malfunctioning downspouts and gutter systems in generally is a clog from built up debris. While your gutters may look neat and clean, your downspouts are enclosed, making it easy for you to miss the build up. Make sure to clean out your downspouts each season as part of your gutter cleaning process.

2. They’re The Wrong Size - If your downspout is too small in width it has a better tendency to become clogged. Smaller downspouts are also unable to carry water away from a home as quickly and efficiently as larger ones would. In addition, if your downspout are too short they will not be able to redirect water properly away from your home.

3. There Aren’t Not Enough - Depending on the size of your home, you may need multiple downspouts in various locations. Some people make the mistake of only installing one or two, but when heavy rainfall hits the system is not able to funnel water down and out fast enough, causing overflow to occur.

If your downspouts are malfunctioning it’s important to identify the issue and correct it right away in order to keep your home safe from potential water damage, foundation damage, flooding and more.

Whether you’re in need of gutter cleaning to clear out clogged downspouts or gutter system repairs to correct the issue, All Aluminum Gutters is here to help. Serving Long island, Queens, Westchester and the Bronx for over 30 years, there’s no gutter job we can’t handle!

To learn more about our gutter cleaning and repair services, click here or call 631-816-2498. We even offer free in-home consultations and estimates!

What Can Affect the Performance of Your Gutters?

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Having a gutter system that works to its fullest potential is extremely beneficial when it comes to keeping your home safe from damage caused by harsh weather conditions. As we enter into hurricane season here on Long Island, it’s important to make sure that your gutters are performing at their absolute best at all times. In an effort to help you keep your gutters going strong and your house protected from water damage, wood rot and more, here are a few key things to watch for that can have a negative effect on your gutter system’s performance.

Uninvited Guests - Almost any kind of animal or pest can take up residence in your gutter system, causing it to malfunction in more ways than one. Birds or rodents that nest in your gutters can cause clogs or deterioration of the system components and their weight can weigh it down causing structural damage.

Trees & Shrubbery - While your landscaping might be perfectly kept, the presence of overhanging trees or shrubs poses a serious threat for your gutter system. Not only do leaves, twigs and over debris tend to get stuck in gutters, but a severe storm can cause large limbs to fall, resulting in significant damage to your gutters and home as a whole.

Missing Parts - Every piece of a standard gutter system needs to be in place in order for your gutters to move water away from your home safely. Remember that your eaves should be protected with proper splash blocks, a gutter essential that is often overlooked during installation.

Improper Installation - When it comes to installing gutters, there’s a ton that can go wrong. That’s why we suggest leaving the installation to the pros! From an inaccurately judged pitch, to a misdirected downspout, even the slightest slip up during installation can put you at risk of incurring costly home repairs in the future.

As you can probably gather, keeping your gutters in shape is simple as long as you follow a regular cleaning regimen and look out for any damaged or missing components. While gutter maintenance and repair can be handled as a DIY project, it’s always best to consult a professional to make sure that any issues are resolved quickly and efficiently for maximum protection against the elements.

For more information about the gutter cleaning, repair and installation services that All Aluminum Gutters provides, call 631-816-2498 to speak with a representative and receive a complimentary consultation and estimate.

How to Paint Your Aluminum Gutters in 5 Steps

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Gutters come in all shapes, sizes and materials, but the aluminum gutter is the most popular choice among homeowners. It’s low cost, seamless design and easy-to-install qualities make it a crowd favorite. What’s the best thing about installing aluminum gutters? They are able to be painted as well! Whether you want to paint your gutters to camouflage them into your home’s existing exterior, or are looking to highlight your gutter system with a complimentary paint color, painting your aluminum gutters is fairly simple DIY task.

If you’re looking to paint your new gutters, or repaint old ones, here’s a list of steps you should take to get the job done:

Step 1: If repainting, strip away the old paint. You’ll want to make sure that your gutter surface are stripped and sanded before you begin painting. A paint scraper can help you peel off any old paint, followed by a pass of sandpaper to smooth the surface.

Step 2: Clean and rinse your gutters. Scrub your gutters down with a simple solution of dish soap and water. Without a clean surface your paint will have a hard time adhering to the gutters. Make sure you give your gutters a thorough rinse once you’re done cleaning them.

Step 3: Paint on the primer. Primer is essential to keep your gutters in great shape and your paint-job perfect for years to come. An oil-based metal primer is key, but be sure to choose a primer that is ammonia free, as ammonia may have a negative reaction with the aluminum.

Step 4: Apply enamel to your gutters. After about 48 hours your primer should be completely dry. An oil-based enamel helps to smooth over the surface and seal any inconsistencies within the aluminum. It is recommended that you choose either a satin or gloss enamel and apply two coats for best results.

Step 5: Finally, get to painting! Choose your desired paint color and apply 2 coats of paint, waiting for the first to dry before beginning the second. Make sure to be careful to fix any runs in the paint before it dries!

Need some help with aluminum gutter installation or cleaning prior to your painting project? At All Aluminum Gutters, we are committed to keeping your home healthy. We take pride in providing the highest quality materials and gutter cleaning services at an affordable price to the Long Island, Queens, Bronx and Westchester areas.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for your free consultation and estimate, please give us a call at 631-816-2498 today.

The History of Rain Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

We all know how important it is to have rain gutters on our homes, but did you ever wonder where in the world they came from? The history of rain gutters is actually quite fascinating, dating way back to 3000 B.C. in the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece and Egypt. Read on to learn all about rain gutters and how the idea to catch and divert rain emerged and  evolved over time.

The first drainage systems. Ancient civilizations recognized the need to control water drainage early on, constructing runoff systems made of stone, brick and wood . In fact, the 1st century Romans are known for their intricate drainage systems, meant to keep their streets water free. Early water redirection systems on buildings featured a spout at the edge of the roof, usually shaped as a lions mouth, that shot water to the ground. However, the majority of ancient water drainage was used to transport water from one place to another, in lieu of what we know as modern day plumbing.

Gargoyles, not just for decoration. As a direct response to an old 7th century legend about La Gargouille, a slayed fire-breathing dragon, the Gargoyle became a common staple of Western European architecture, replacing many of the previous lion-mouth spouts. The Italians actually called these intricate gargoyle statues “gronda sporgente,” which fittingly translates to “protruding gutter.”

Gutter systems begin to improve. In the mid-1200s gutters began to evolve from animal-mouthed water spouts to wood, lead and clay-tile gutter systems, downspouts and all. In 1240, the Tower of London became the first building to be outfitted with a fully functioning gutter system, as a precautionary measure to protect it’s white walls. From then on the popularity of gutter systems skyrocketed, transitioning from lead to cast iron in the 1800s. By the 18th century gutters were a standard on many homes, and the introduction of mass-marketed metal gutters came during the Industrial Revolution.

Seamless aluminum gutters are introduced. Aluminum gutters had already gained a ton of traction by the 1960s, but the invention of seamless gutter technology took them to the next level. Today, more than 70 percent of homeowners enjoy the benefits of a seamless aluminum gutter system.

Rain gutters have certainly come a long way! Just like the ancient civilizations, the professionals at All Aluminum Gutters understand the importance of having a solid, fully-functioning rain gutter system. Our high quality customer service and commitment to providing top notch products at affordable rates is what makes us the obvious choice for all of your gutter installation and repair needs.

To learn more about our gutter installation process and the styles that we offer, click here or call 631-816-2498.

Use Your Rain Gutters to Harvest Water & Save Money!

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Every time it rains it should act as a reminder of how much money you’re wasting. Not following the logic? If you use your hose to water your garden or plants instead of using rainwater you’re throwing your money away. After the initial cost of setup, harvesting rainwater is a free alternative to using your garden hose. So how do you get started saving money? There are three key items involved in the process: The collection area, the transportation system, and the storage facility. All you need are a few supplies, your roof, and of course your trusty gutters!

Collection Area - The most obvious choice for a collection area is the roof of your home. The bigger the roof, the more rainwater a person can harvest. If your garden or household plants are on the smaller side, you can use your shed’s roof for a smaller collection of rainwater. The next time you are watering your garden and plants, gauge how much water you are using in a certain span of time. That can help you determine how much you need to collect.

Transportation System - Your gutters and downspouts will be the transportation system for the rainwater. You can modify your current downspouts to direct the rainwater into a storage container instead of onto the ground. The material of the gutters and downspouts do not matter, so aluminum or plastic both work. What matters is the size of the gutters and downspouts. If you are replacing or installing new gutters, remember that 5-inch gutters attach to 3-inch downspouts and 6-inch gutters attach to 4-inch downspouts. The last part of the transportation system will be a gutter debris filter, placed between the gutter and downspout. This will prevent any unwanted debris or insects from collecting in the rainwater storage barrel.

Storage Facility - Barrels are the most efficient way to store your rainwater. The bigger the barrels, the more water you can store which is good during the dry times of the year. You can use multiple barrels to increase the capacity of your storage. To set up your barrels, attach short pieces of hose to each, connecting them and allowing water to flow through. The placement of these barrels is the most important part of the whole operation. You’ll want to place the barrels directly under the downspout on a self-made platform using cinder blocks.

To see diagrams for each element of the harvesting system or to learn how to make your own rain barrel, click here.

And there you have it! Your very own rainwater harvesting system. Now you can save money on your water bill while giving your plants and garden fresh rainwater. Before starting this DIY project, make sure that your gutters and downspouts are in good working order. Trust the professionals at All Aluminum Gutters to repair old leaky gutters, install new ones, or clean out your existing system. For more information, call 631-816-2498 today!

Rain Gutter FAQs

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Are thinking about installing or replacing your rain gutters, but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, you’re certainly not alone. It’s very common for people to have tons of questions when they begin to look into home improvement projects, which is why we’ve tried to make it a little bit easier by compiling a list of frequently asked rain gutter questions and answers for your review:

Q: Why do I need rain gutters on my home? What makes them so important?
A: A properly installed rain gutter system will catch rainwater that lands on your roof and funnel it through the system and down to a safe draining location. It’s important to divert rainwater appropriately, as heavy amounts of runoff pooling at your foundation can cause structural damage, mold growth and many other complications.

Q: What are leafless gutters, or gutter guards? Why should I consider them?
A: Rain gutters equipped with gutter guards have a built in filter system which allows water in, while keeping leaves out. This system helps to eliminate gutter clogs and debris buildup, making your gutter maintenance less intensive.

Q: What different gutter material options can I choose from?
A: At All Aluminum Gutters, our gutter systems are made from copper, steel or aluminum.

Q: How do I figure out which gutter system is the best choice for my home?
A: The easiest way to pick the perfect gutter system is to consult with a professional installer, who can make recommendations based on your home’s age, structure and areas weather conditions.

Q: What is the most popular rain gutter choice?
A: Aluminum gutters are the most popular since they are lightweight, rust-resistant, affordable and easily adaptable to a wide variety of roof types. Aluminum Gutters are also a great choice because they are available in a variety of colors and can be painted to match your home’s exterior perfectly.

Q: Is it possible to install gutter systems as a DIY project?
A: Although installing gutters might be doable for some handy homeowners, it’s recommended that you hire a professional. With a professional installation you can ensure that the job is completed safely and correctly.

If you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, just give us a call at 631-816-2498 and a customer service representative would be more than happy to answer all of your bathroom remodel inquiries! At All Aluminum Gutters we’re committed to providing top quality customer service, materials and gutter cleaning & repair services at an affordable price.

Gutter Types - Copper v. Aluminum

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

There are many style and material options to choose from when looking into installing a new gutter system for your home. Though aluminum gutters are the most common choice, copper gutters are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners recently. If you’re stuck between options, here’s a quick overview comparing the two to help you make your decision a little easier:

1. Price Point and Product Worth:
Copper

• More pricey than alternative options, but cost is justified by high durability.
• Copper adds an element of beauty to a home that is unmatched by other gutter options.
• Installing copper gutters increases your property value significantly.

Aluminum

• On the lower-end of the cost spectrum for gutter material options.
• Less durable than copper, so more prone to frequent repairs and replacements.

2. Installation Requirements

Copper

• Copper gutter systems are heavier, and therefore require extra support.
• Professional installation is recommended due to weight and difficulty of modification.
• Special handling is required to prevent copper discoloration.

Aluminum

• The easiest type of gutters to cut, mold and secure.
• Though professional installation is always recommended, aluminum gutters are the easiest product for DIY installation or repairs.
• Come in a variety of color options and are paintable.

3. Maintenance Needs

Copper

• Develops a patina which protects and beautifies the metal.
• Rarely needs surface maintenance.
• Must use gloves and special tools when cleaning out the gutters to preserve the metal.

Aluminum

• Has the tendency to rust over time, needing more frequent cleaning, and painting touch-ups.
• May incur problems in high wind due to lightweight material and less secure fasteners.

At All Aluminum Gutters, we provide a wide variety of gutter installation options, including both copper and aluminum materials. If live in Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, Westchester or the surrounding areas and need help choosing the perfect gutter system to fit your home’s needs, give us a call at 631-816-2498 and our gutter experts would be happy to assist you!