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.

The Do's & Don'ts of Ice Dam Removal

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

(631) 816-2498

Ice dams can cause a slew of costly problems for homeowners if left unattended to. With the weather finally warming up, that snow and ice residue on your roof is probably beginning to melt off, which means it’s prime time for ice dams to form. To help you protect your home and its gutters, here’s a quick guide for removing ice dams from your roof.

• DON’T install any mechanical equipment in the attic. Not only are these a fire hazard that can easily ignite your insulation, but they can also cause ice dams to worsen from the heat they produce.
• DO ventilate and insulate your attic. In order to help snow and ice melt more evenly and prevent ice dams you’ll need to keep your attic’s temperature regulated. Ventilating and insulating will help ensure that it doesn’t become too warm.
• DO remove snow from your roof. Using a roof rake, gently and carefully pull or push as much snow as you can off your roof. Make sure to pull down and not across to preserve your shingles.
• DON’T ever walk on the roof. As you well know, snow and ice can be very slippery, which is why you should never attempt to stand on your roof while cleaning it. Instead, use a sturdy ladder to reach the roof.
  
  
• DO chip away at the ice carefully. It’s important to be very gentle when removing ice from your roof and gutters, and cease when you’re close to the roofing. Aggressively chipping away at ice can cause damage that require roof repairs.
• DON’T use snow melt on your roof or gutters. While these might seem like a good option, using chemicals on your roof and gutters can cause them to corrode. Once the ice melts and travels through your gutters, the runoff can also be detrimental to your lawn.
• DO consider calling a professional! Removing snow and ice from your roof and gutters can be a very dangerous endeavor. Like many home maintenance tasks, it might be a better idea to give your local gutter cleaning company a call instead of trying to DIY it.

Even with the most diligent snow removal plan, your gutters can still be susceptible to sagging, cracking and detachment due to the extra weight. If you find that your gutters have been damaged due to inclement weather conditions or need to be cleaned, just give All Aluminum Gutters a call.

We offer gutter installation and repair at an affordable price to customers in the Long island, Queens, Westchester and Bronx areas. Click here or call 631-816-2498 to learn more.

Invest in Gutters and Boost ROI

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

(631) 816-2498

Experts have determined that having an improperly functioning gutter system will drastically diminish your home’s ROI when it comes time to sell. That being said, investing in your gutter system is one of the best ways to boost your home’s value, while giving it some added stability and curb appeal. If your home is in need of gutter repairs here’s a quick breakdown of the must-do renovations and add-ons you should consider based on budget.

Low - Looking to install a high quality gutter system in the most inexpensive fashion? Vinyl gutter systems are your best bet. Not only are they the cheapest alternative, but they’re also easy to install and a favorite among DIYers everywhere. They’re long lasting and are resistant to rust and peeling, and are especially easy to maintain.

Standard - If you want to take your gutter system up a notch, consider a galvanized steel system. While they’re a bit more pricey, steel gutters have built their reputation on being extremely durable. They’re strong enough to hold up to wear and tear from ladders and fallen branches, and are noted for their long-lasting, rust-free high shine.

High - Seamless aluminum gutters are the finest in gutter system installation options -- and they just so happen to be our specialty! Not only are they low maintenance, but their seamless design makes them a sleek and stylish addition to any home’s exterior. Plus, their seamless structure offers the utmost protection against leaks, cracks and water damage.

At All Aluminum Gutters, we provide a wide variety of gutter installation options so you can select the material and style that fits your home and your budget perfectly. If you live on Long Island, in 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!

Winter Gutter Maintenance Tips

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

(631) 816-2498

Traditionally, high season for gutter maintenance is during the fall, when leaves and debris are blowing about. However, while it’s imperative that you perform seasonal gutter cleaning and repairs in the fall, remember that gutter maintenance is not a “set it and forget it” feature of your home! In order to keep your gutters functioning properly all year long you’ll have to find time to carry out maintenance duties on a regular basis. To help you get through the winter without interruption and damage to your home’s drainage system, here are some of the most important gutter maintenance tips to follow:

Remove all debris. Failing to keep your gutters clean can cause a great deal of damage to your home, especially come winter time. While soggy fall leaves can certainly cause a clog, frozen solid leaf piles can be even more difficult to deal with. Checking your gutters regularly for built up debris is key during the winter months.

Inspect gutters thoroughly. Should debris build up and gutters freeze over, the possibility for cracked systems and leaking seams increases. As the weather worsens and snow falls it can gather in your gutters causing them to become heavy and detached from your fascia.

Double check for damage. After each heavy rain, snow and even hail storm that mother nature throws your way this winter you must make sure to check your home for structural damage. Keep an eye on staining, rotting or cracking in your foundation and siding. Should you detect any damage, identify the source and repair it right away.

Redirect where necessary. While your gutters might be clean and clear, your downspouts and diverters may not be. Keep them in mind as a regular part of your cleaning ritual and be sure that any water flow is being redirected at least ten feet from your home’s foundation.

Inspected your property and found some items that need repairing? All Aluminum Gutters offers gutter and siding installation and repair at an affordable price to customers in the Long island, Queens, Westchester and Bronx areas.

To learn more about our services, click here or call 631-816-2498 for a free in-home estimate!

How to Prevent Ice Dam Damage

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

(631) 816-2498

As we head further into the winter season snow will inevitably fall, landing on and around our homes and likely settling on our rooftops. While a soft blanket of white might seem quaint and cozy, it can really cause some costly damage if ice dams begin to form. Ice dams result from a combination of snow melt and unregulated temperatures. Read on to learn more about these dangerous frosted formations and how you can prevent them.

What is an ice dam?
Many homes, especially older ones, have insufficient insulation in the attic which allows heat to escape and warm the roof. This causes the snow up top to melt and drip down towards the eaves and gutters. Once the melt reaches the eaves the temperature will be significantly colder and can cause the melt to refreeze. Over time a dam of ice is formed and water from melting snow will begin to pool, causing roof and gutter damage and potential flooding.

What can I do to prevent ice dams from forming?

1. Ventilate - Adding vents to your roof's ridge and soffits will create a constant flow of cold air underneath the roof. This will keep the temperature regulated to help balance the melt-to-freeze ratio.
2. Exhaust - Make sure that any and all exhaust fans and ducts lead directly outdoors and not into the attic. Exhaust should exit through walls or out the roof, but never through the soffit.
3. Insulate - Additional insulation in the attic can work wonders to keep hot air from escaping and warming your roof. There are a wide variety of insulation types, so it’s best to check with your local home improvement professionals if you’re unsure which to use.

As the season progresses, if you find that your gutters or eaves have been damaged due to the formation of ice dams, All Aluminum Gutters can 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!

How Can Heat Tape Protect My Gutters This Winter?

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

(631) 816-2498

Heat tape or heat cables are easy-to-install electric cables that are generally placed around the edge of the roof or run inside gutter systems. Their main duty is to help stubborn snow and ice melt away by producing electric heat either constantly or via a self-timer. Installing heat tape can help keep your home safe for the winter, and here are three specific ways how:

1. Minimizes damage to your roof. When water freezes it begins to expand. That means, if your roof has any minor cracks or breaks and water happens to get inside from collected snow or ice, the gaps will widen over time causing more damage. Heat tape keeps melting moving, reducing the chance for freezing and expansion to occur.

2. Prevents mold and mildew. As water sits on your roof or within your gutter system it has the tendency to grow mold and mildew which can be very dangerous to your home and your health. Keeping snow and rain draining properly from your roof will be a great asset in preventing this dangerous winter weather complication.

3. Keeps gutters clear of ice and snow. The main reason for water damage during the winter is clogged or frozen gutters. When your gutters are unable to drain water and melting snow away from your home, you’re left with a wide variety of possible detrimental outcomes. In addition to the problems that stagnant snow and ice present for your roof, overflowing due to a clog can cause structural and siding damage as well.

Before you go ahead and install heat tape this season, make sure you give your gutters a good once over and fix any existing damage that you find. If you need some help, remember that All Aluminum Gutters is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. for your convenience. 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!

How to Hang Holiday Lights on Your Gutters

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

(631) 816-2498

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: The time when beautiful holiday lights begin popping up all over town to celebrate the season. If you’re planning to tackle your outdoor holiday decor this weekend, it’s important to remember to be careful when hanging lights from your gutters. Using the proper hooks and clips can make all the difference aesthetically and can save you a ton of money on costs to fix gutter damage caused by your holiday light display.

Here are two of the most popular types of fasteners to have your home looking festive, while keeping your gutters safe:

1. S-hooks can be fastened just over the lip of the gutter with the upper part of the s-shape, allowing the lower portion to hang downward. On the lower end of the hook is a clip, which makes hanging strings of holiday lights by the wire simple, safe and secure. If your gutters have a lip off ¼ inch or less, s-hooks are a great option for you.

2. Gutter clips are another safe alternative for hanging holiday lights. They can clip right onto gutters of all shapes and sizes, and allow you to position each light bulb precisely, giving your home a streamlined professionally decorated look. These clips are best used for C7 and C9 sized light bulbs.

Before you begin hanging, remember to check your light strings for blown bulbs or broken wires. There’s nothing worse than doing all that work, only to have to take them down and do it all again!

All Aluminum Gutters is a full service gutter cleaning, repair and installation company, servicing Long Island and all of New York City. We also provide siding repair and installation in a variety of styles and material options. To learn more about our services, click here or call 631-816-2498 to speak with a representative and receive a complimentary consultation and estimate.