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.

How to Tell if Your Gutters Were Properly Installed

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

So, you just bought a new home and lucky for you it came already equipped with rain gutters! You know how important it is to have gutters installed to protect your home and its foundation, so you must be pretty excited to be afforded that added bonus. However, before you jump for joy you’ll want to be sure that the gutters were properly installed and are not in need of repair. Here are a few ways to tell if your gutters are in good shape:

Do you notice any misaligned seams? The most important thing to make sure of when it comes to examining your rain gutters is that they are aligned properly. In order for water to be funneled through your gutter system and safely away from your house, your gutters will need to be attached continuously for the entire length of your home, leading to a downspout.

Does there seem to be overflow when it rains? Overflowing gutters can indicate a clog or worse, loose and drooping gutters. When leaves, branches and debris build up within your gutters they can cause them to become heavy and sag. Though a good cleaning may do the trick, it’s possible that your gutters were not installed at the proper slope which is what caused the debris to become trapped in the first place.

Has a drain or splash block been installed? Without one of these two elements finishing off your gutter system the water will have no where to go once it comes down the downspout. You’ll need a method to carry water away from your home in order to protect your foundation and minimize the risk of mold growth.

Is the hole connecting the gutter to the downspout sufficient? This is an issue that you will likely not notice unless you specifically look for it. If the hole connecting the two systems has not been made large enough you’ll run a higher risk of seeing a clog in the downspout.

If you notice any of these issues with your existing gutter system, All Aluminum Gutters is here to help. Big or small, our services and professional technicians are equipped to cover any issues that may arise. Our commitment to providing our customers with the highest quality products at affordable rates is what makes us the obvious choice to meet your needs.

To learn more about our services, click here or call 631-816-2498 to schedule your free consultation and estimate.

The Benefits of Gutter Guards

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Gutters protect your home by repelling and redirecting rainwater, so isn’t it time that you repaid them?  Don’t let your gutters suffer from clogs that lead to water overflow and gutter damage;  install a gutter guard instead!  Gutter guards, or leaf guards, have a built-in hood that covers the gutter bottom and deflects leaves and other debris, allowing rainwater to filter into your gutters and run freely and safely away from your home.

Here’s a list of some benefits that you can expect to enjoy when installing a leaf protection system:

1. Save time.  Since gutter guards deflect debris, the likelihood of getting a clog is reduced drastically.  This means less time spent cleaning out clogs and more time spent doing the things that you love!
   
2. Reduce damage.  Since clogs are less likely to occur, so are the damaging effects caused by them.  Rest assured that your gutters will be protected from premature rusting due to sedentary damp debris, and your home’s siding and foundation will thank you for the reduction in overflow during a heavy rainfall.
   
3. Stop pests.  Thanks to your new gutter guards, insects and furry friends will need to find alternative locations for nesting and breeding.  Since many insects thrive and breed in stagnant water, the absence of clogs means the elimination of breeding grounds - say goodbye to mosquitoes and hello to bug-free barbecues!  The built-in hood works to keep critters out, creating a physical barrier so that rodents, birds and the like cannot make their home in the gutters of yours.
   

At All Aluminum Gutters, we care about the well-being of your home and pride ourselves in our friendly, professional and prompt service.  If you’re looking to install a gutter guard system, look no further!  We carry a wide variety of options to ensure that you are able to choose the perfect style for your home.  Give us a call at 631-816-2498 to learn more about our leaf guard systems and start protecting your gutters today!

Three Types of Gutter Damage to Look Out For

All Aluminum Gutters

531 Sunrise Highway, West Babylon, New York 11704

(631) 816-2498

Spring has sprung, and we’re sure you’re looking forward to a little spring cleaning action. While you’re pruning your bushes, mowing your lawn and undoubtedly cleaning all of those leaves and winter sludge out of your gutters, make sure to keep an eye out for these three types of damage that can be caused by faulty or unkept gutters.

Foundation Damage: As you know the primary function of any gutter system is to funnel water off of the roof and safely away from your home’s foundation. Failing to thoroughly clean your gutters can lead to clogging from debris, which will cause water to spill over the side of the gutter system. So, what’s the big deal? As a result, water will drip down the side of the house and can begin to pool around the foundation. This can potentially lead to cracks and damage to your home’s foundation, and in many cases also fosters a breeding ground for pesky mold to grow.

Wood Damage: Fascia boards, which are the long, straight, wooden boards that run along the lower edge of the roof, are responsible for supporting the gutter system in its entirety. Since a clog will cause your gutters to fill with water, if left unattended for long enough the fascia boards will begin to deteriorate and rot. Overflow can also cause significant damage to homes with wooden siding.

Landscape Damage: Springtime means that your gardens will be blossoming in no time! Don’t let overflow from clogged gutters pool in your flowerbeds. Over-watering can cause severe damage to your landscaping. It will cause the plant roots to become too saturated to be able to absorb and store the water. Since plants need water to breathe and perpetuate, the roots of your lavish landscapes will begin to rot and die. Keep an eye out for wilting, curling or yellowing foliage, as this can indicate a watering or gutter issue.

Keeping these three possible types of gutter damage in mind should make your spring gutter cleaning a little more bearable!

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.

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.