Roof Repairs

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Gutter Styles to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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If you’re looking to inject a bit of zest into your home, you’ll want to give a fair amount of attention to some of the smaller details. After you’ve added some lovely hedges and replaced the bad shingles on your roof, you’ll want to also upgrade your gutters. With a tremendous array of colors and styles to choose from, you can ensure that your home stands out brilliantly on the block. Your neighbors will find themselves scrambling to keep up with your handiwork.

Colors

If you’re primarily concerned with increasing your curb appeal, you should choose a color that dovetails nicely with the rest of the house. Aluminum gutters, for instance, can generally be purchased in many different tones. Though white, and brown are popular, black gutters will work well on homes that have dark roofs and siding panels.

Styles

A number of workable styles are available. It’s usually best to choose gutters that slope gently toward the sides of the house. This ensures that rainwater flows quickly toward the downspout. Clean-outs can be placed near the bottom of the downspout so that leaves and other debris do not flow into the ground drain. In situations where ground drains are not available, a stylish option is to place ornate splash blocks at the end of each downspout.

Materials

Aluminum, steel and copper are all great options. The most popular styles are 5K, 6K and 6” fascia gutters. They are all run as a continuous gutter on site. Copper is generally used on houses that are being classically restored. There are a number of reputable sealants that will keep copper radiant and shiny for several years.

Roof Repairs

If you’re intent on making your house the jewel of the neighborhood, you should strongly consider overhauling your roof before you install your fancy new gutters. A roof with partially peeling shingles will quickly become an eyesore. It will also have you dealing with leaks in the interior of the house during the next rain. With a new composition or cedar roof, you can increase the value of your house. With shiny new aluminum or steel gutters along for the ride, your residence will pop with sophistication.

If you’re looking for a roofing contractor in Vancouver, WA, or Portland, OR, contact us online or give us a call at 503-684-5611. We can guide you through the installation process so you get exactly what you want.

There’s a Zoo in Your Gutters

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Improperly maintained gutters can be inadvertent homes for crittersWhen was the last time you took a hard look at your home’s gutters? Don’t look now: You might not be happy with what you find. Poorly constructed or improperly maintained gutters and roofs can serve as safe havens for all manner of creepy critters, including ravenous squirrels and messy birds. Fortunately, you don’t have to take this in stride. Learn more about protecting your gutters from pesky critters.

Which Animals Like Gutters?

Many different types of animals can be found in poorly constructed or loosely maintained gutters. Some of the most common include:

  • Nesting birds like cardinals and blue jays
  • Squirrels
  • Chipmunks
  • Snakes, lizards and other reptiles
  • Feral cats
  • Possums and raccoons

What Damage Do They Cause?

Nesting animals like squirrels and birds can cause devastating clogs that lead to flooding and permanent gutter damage. When leaves and other organic material build up in these spaces, water must find another way to the ground. This can lead to deluges that cause water to pool near your home’s foundation. Over time, such pools can lead to cracks or erosion that compromise the integrity of your foundation and may necessitate expensive repairs.

Moving Towards a Sustainable Fix

Getting rid of animals that lurk in your gutters is no easy feat. Although it’s not a sure fix, it may help to wait until a nest is empty and quickly trim the tree branches by which the unwelcome intruders access their “homes.” For a more permanent fix, consider installing a gutter guard or netting to prevent creatures of any size from making their way into your gutters. Certain types of siding may be more difficult to climb than traditional siding materials as well. Additionally, fixing your roof to ensure a tight seal between your gutters and shingles or tiles may help.

Roofing Contractor in Portland, OR: Getting It Right the First Time

You don’t have to accept the fact that critters will damage your gutters or set up shop along your home’s roofline. By following the advice that we outline above, you can go a long way towards preventing the sort of damage that may reduce your home’s resale value and render the property unattractive to prospective buyers. To ensure that you get the job done right on the first try, give one of the experts at Interstate Roofing a call at 503-684-5611, or learn more about our roof installation services.