3 Reasons to Bury Your Downspouts

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

(631) 816-2498

When it comes to gutter installations, the material and style options are never-ending! There are a variety of ways to dress a new gutter system, but it’s up to you to find the design concept that’s best suited for your home. That being said, burying downspout components are one of the more popular options for homeowners looking to customize their gutter system , and here’s why.

1. More Secure - What better way to ensure that water is redirected away from your home’s foundation than by creating an extended tunnel system to do so. With just a splash block, there’s no telling where water will go once it hits the ground -- especially in a severe storm.
   


2. More Direct - For some people, the gutters or storm drains are quite far from their homes. This creates a problem redirecting rainwater runoff away from the house. However, tunneling your downspout can actually give a homeowner more control over where the water ultimately ends up.
   


3. More Visually Appealing - What do we do when we don’t want something to be so visible? We hide it of course, and the same goes for your downspout and rainwater runoff. Tunneling your drainage system helps to keep your home’s exterior seamless.

How are your downspouts and gutter systems holding up with all the rain we’ve been having in the Long Island area? If you feel like they could use a pick-me-up, allow All Aluminum Gutters to assist.

For more information about our gutter repair and gutter installation options, visit our website 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!

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!

Easy DIY Tips to Repair Leaky Gutters

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Leaky rain gutters can be a real drag, and if left untreated they can potentially lead to serious water damage to your home and its foundation.  Have you noticed leaking, sagging or overflowing gutters lately?  If you need a quick fix before the professional arrives, try these simple do-it-yourself tips to get your gutters back on track.

Give your gutters a facelift:  Sagging gutters are common, especially after a heavy rain or snow season.  As you begin your spring cleaning, make sure to check your gutters for signs of standing water or water marks along the inside of the gutters.  When gutters sag they lose the ability to drain water properly, which only leads to more sagging!  Your best bet is to adjust or change out the old gutter hangers for new ones.

Bursting at the seams: Usually where there is a leak, there is an issue with the gutter joints between sections.  After identifying the culprit, first clean out any stagnant water and allow the gutter system to dry completely.  Then, clean off the delinquent seam and seal it with with silicone-rubber caulking compound.  Be sure to caulk both the inside and the outside of the seam, to ensure the best possible seal.

Holes in your hardware: If your seams are intact, you may find that there is a hole in the gutter that is causing the leak.  If the hole is small enough, try patching it with roofing cement and a putty knife.  If roofing cement if not enough to patch a larger hole, try covering a base layer of roofing cement with a sheet-metal patch, and adding a second layer of cement on top.

Overflowing from the elbows: If left unattended, overflowing gutters can lead to serious structural damage. In most cases, the presence of an overflow means a clogged gutter or downspout.  (Sagging can also lead to overflow, so don’t forget that facelift!)  Many times downspouts will spring loose due to clogging in the elbows of the gutter system.  If this occurs, be sure to remove the section completely and clear it of any leaves or debris that might be causing the blockage.  Then refasten the downspout to its adjoining sections.

So, you’ve tried it all and still can’t get your gutters in tip-top shape?  Visit us on our website or call us at 631-816-2498 today, and let All Aluminum Gutters solve your gutter woes! Serving Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, and Westchester for 30 years, there’s no gutter problem that we can’t handle.

DIY Tips To Repair A Loose Downspout

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Depending on the severity of the problem and the situation, some people prefer to use a DIY approach when it comes to completing repairs around the home. However, although they might be able to figure out the steps to take through a process of trial and error, DIY projects are likely much more successful when some background knowledge is already known or if direction is previously provided.

If you’ve noticed that your downspouts have started to come loose and are in need of a solution, even if it’s only temporary until a professional like All Aluminum Gutters can come to the scene, the following can be helpful when starting the repairs:

Step 1: Dismember the sections and get rid of any debris that may have gotten caught in between.

Step 2: Take each section and put them back together in the correct way – you should be able to determine this based on how they fit.

Step 3: Drill holes if necessary and secure the pieces by using the appropriate screws; avoid using anything longer than 3/8 inch screws since debris may catch on to anything longer.

By following these three steps, repairing a loose downspout can be relatively easy - but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring in a professional! If you’re located on Long Island or in Westchester or Queens, All Aluminum Gutters is the gutter expert to call for all of your repair or replacement needs! 

To learn more about our gutter repair and rain gutter installation services, visit us at www.allaluminumgutters.com or contact us at (631) 816-2498 today.