Gutters help protect your home by collecting rainwater on the roof and routing it to the ground through the downspout. In doing so, gutters prevent water damage to your house.

Rainwater will overflow on a clogged gutter and pour over the side of your house resulting to potential damage to windows, doors, siding and foundations. To prevent water damage from a clogged gutter and avoid expensive repairs that could reach thousands of dollars, regularly clean your gutter to keep them debris-free.

We outlined a simple guide for you to follow in gutter cleaning Seattle:

Things You Will Need For Your Work

• Work or Rubber Gloves
• Sturdy Extension Ladder
• Garden Hose
• Plumber’s Snake
• Trowel or Gutter Scoop
• Bucket or Plastic Tarp

Cleaning the Gutter

1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and heavy work gloves to prevent injury to yourself especially your hands. Sharp objects or metal parts are often lodged inside a clogged gutter.
2. Clean the roof of leaves and other debris before working on the gutter so that next time it rains, these potential clogging materials do not wash into the gutter, effectively doubling your work.
3. Use a handy garden trowel to scoop out debris, dirt and leaves in the gutter. Start working at the drain outlet on the lowest portion of the gutter. The debris is easier to remove when it is damp and not dried or encrusted.
4. Dump the debris on a bucket or plastic tarp to spare your lawn from dirt and avoid cleaning up later.
5. After scooping out the dirt, wash the gutter using a garden hose. Clean the entire length of the gutter, this time working towards the drain outlet. Check the elbow of the gutter or curved portion of the downspout to make sure there are no clogs. For hard-to-remove encrusted dirt, you can use a stiff brush to scrub it off.
6. If water still does not freely flow down the downspout and drain pipe, flush water down using a hose. For persistent dirt, use a plumber’s snake to remove the debris.

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutter?

Clean your gutter at least once a year. A better option is to clean it twice a year preferably in spring and autumn. If you have overhanging trees near your roof, twice a year gutter cleaning is recommended. You should also clean your gutter after the occurrence of big storms. Dirt, leaves and other debris could have been blown into your gutter by the strong winds.

Some people do not just install traditional roofs on houses and buildings in Seattle. They want roofs that not only protect them from the elements like standard roofs but also provide additional utilities or functions. For these reasons, non-traditional roofing systems such as cool, green and solar roofs have become popular choices nowadays.

Each type of Seattle roofing has its own benefits as well as shortcomings. How do these roofs fare in cold climates? A study in the Journal of Industrial Ecology gave us the answer.

The study analyzed the effects of the three types of roof found on buildings located in different places with a cold climate. It used as models office buildings with large roofs and assumed a 50-year lifespan for the structures.

Solar Roofs Came Out on Top

The result showed solar roofs as the definite winner followed by green roofs and white roofs at the rear.

A comprehensive approach was adopted for the study, examining not only the energy efficiency created by the different roofs but also their manufacture, transportation and installation at the sites. The study also considered any toxic chemicals used in the manufacture and the effects of the roof types on air, water and human health.

Benefits of White Roofs

White roofs are great for hot weather because they significantly reduce the cooling requirements of buildings aside from prolonging their lifespan. However, in colder climates they actually raise the heating requirements especially during the long stretches of the cold months.

Green Roofs’ Contributions

Green roofs fared admirably because they lowered both the heating and cooling needs of buildings, enhance the quality of air and decrease storm water runoff.

Ultimately, however, solar roofs came out the best option for roofing in cold climates, creating the most impact in the categories considered for the study.

Positive Traits of Solar Roofs

1. While unwanted emissions were created in the manufacture and transportation of solar roofs, these were more than offset by the positive effects of the on-site generation of power by solar roofs.
2. The long-term use of solar energy is a major positive factor because it reduces the need for coal-powered energy and other fossil fuels by the buildings.
3. By reflecting the sun’s heat, the solar panels reduced the temperatures of the buildings during the hotter months although they tend to slightly raise the heating needs during the colder months because of the reflectivity of the solar roofs.

A roofing system does not last forever. Eventually, one or more of its components break down and need to be repaired for minor damage or totally replaced for major one. The degree of deterioration and time it takes before they need maintenance work depend to a large extent on the materials used for the part.

Take for example, the roof gutters Seattle. Gutters play an important function in the roofing system by collecting rainwater from the roof and directing it downward to the ground through a downspout or the more artistic rain chain. Because of its constant exposure to the elements, gutters eventually degrade.

Impeding to a certain degree, the deterioration of gutter is within the means of homeowners by choosing the right material used for making the gutter. Metal and plastic are two of the most common gutter materials today. People who prefer metal gutters do so for its durability and strength. Unfortunately, metals are prone to corrosion or rust. That is the reason why some homeowners choose stainless steel gutters for their homes.

Stainless steel is a term used to refer to the stainless quality of gutters. Stainless steel has anti-corrosive element, making them ideal for use in a variety of corrosive environments. This quality allows the gutter to remain stainless for years if not decades. Without the destructive corrosion to affect it, stainless steel gutters need not be replaced and will last a long time.

Advantages of Stainless Steel Gutters Seattle

Strong

They are practically indestructible. Stainless steel gutters are strong, durable and can take punishment from even the harshest elements. These two qualities – strength and durability – make stainless steel gutters an attractive option to most homeowners.

Durable

Since stainless steel can handle both hot and cold temperatures, it is the ideal gutter material for houses located in harsh climates and storm-prone areas.

Shiny

They are shiny and look pleasing to the eyes. The shine coming from the stainless steel makes your gutter look always new despite having been installed for some time. Because of this quality, stainless steel gutters can add luster to and improve the aesthetic appeal of your homes.

Rust-Free

They do not rust. This factor is perhaps the single most attractive quality of stainless steel gutters that cause people to select them for their homes. A distinguishing characteristic of stainless steel from other metals is its anti-corrosive property. One of the strongest reasons people choose stainless steel gutters over other metal gutters is its ability to resist rust or corrosion.

Studies have shown positive benefits of natural daylight on human physiology and psychology. Employees are shown to be more productive when exposed to daylight. The penetration of daylight into buildings are facilitated by the installation of skylights on the Seattle roofing.

The natural lighting from the sun also creates an energy-efficient building that ultimately results to lower power bills. Because of these direct benefits from skylights in Seattle roofing, more contractors are placing emphasis on this very-useful feature of a building. With the popularity of skylights come the need for information on the performance of different glazing options for skylights.

The materials used for skylights vary and largely depend on the needs of the owner. Some require a clear view outside through skylights while others prefer the entry of more natural illumination inside. Whatever your needs are, an understanding of the different materials or glazing options for skylights is helpful. Some of the more common types of glazing materials for skylights used today are the following:

Glass

A common material used for skylights. Glass is scratch-resistant, durable and lasts long. Different kinds of glass provide various benefits such as energy efficiency. For instance, tempered glass is used for insulating glass units to provide a sealed and moisture-free glaze. A coated laminated glass is ideal for those who prefer diffuse light.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is translucent and available as flat, domed, monolithic or other profiles such as two panels with air in-between for insulation. While the material per se is not durable, it can be attached or bonded to I-beams to create translucent structural panels that have high insulation properties and come in a variety of colors. Translucent fiberglass panels are lightweight but impact-resistant and shatterproof. They are strong against ultraviolet radiation and weather-resistant.

Polycarbonate

Some of the interesting qualities of polycarbonate are its durability, impact-resistance and easy-to-cut design. They are produced as multi-wall sheets or monolithic sheets. The latter, filled with aerogel known as “frozen smoke,” can be cut to suit the skylight design and are lightweight. It greatly minimizes noise and diffuses light to reduce if not eliminate glares and hot spots.

Acrylic Plastic

This material is the most formable among skylight materials and is widely-used for standard skylights. Acrylic plastics come in many forms and standards – some are transparent to ultraviolet rays and, therefore, weather well while others are manufactured to be durable and impact resistant. Acrylic sheets are available as transparent or translucent types.

Seattle roofing skylights are indispensable features of some buildings. They are usually incorporated into the design of the structure and harmonize with the overall style.

Skylights are parts of the roof made from different materials, usually plastic or glass, which allow natural light to enter the structure, but keep the elements (rain and snow) out. They may also be installed on walls or sides of the building.

Benefits of Having Skylights in Seattle Roofing

1. Saves Money

The best benefit of having skylights is saving money since you will be reducing your need to turn on the electricity and gas. With plenty of sunshine coming into the building, there is no need to use electricity to light a room during the day. You will also minimize the use of gas heaters because sunlight adds heat to the room, therefore reducing electricity consumption from the use of heaters.

2. Lowers Energy Consumption

Natural light always provides better illumination within a building. Skylights allow daylight to enter the structure, thereby minimizing the need for additional lighting and energy use. Turning on the light switch is not necessary during daytime when the sun’s natural light can enter the building through the skylights.

3. Preserves the Environment

Solar energy is a clean, sustainable and renewable source of energy. More utilization of this energy source means less dependence on fossil fuels (such as coals, natural gas and crude oil) to generate power, and it produces zero carbon emissions. Skylights are actually consistent with the present trend to construct “green” houses that rely more on the environment to reduce our over-reliance on electricity to heat or cool a building.

4. Increases House Value

Skylights enhance the aesthetic quality of a house and make it more appealing to homeowners and buyers. Its positive effects on energy-saving will also increase the value of the property. You will easily recoup, directly or indirectly, any investment that you put into your house.

5. Benefits Health

Studies have shown that natural light or daylight contributes to the physical and psychological well-being of individuals. A person is said to become more alert and productive when exposed to natural lights. Artificial sources of light are not shown to have the same effects on our bodies.

6. Provides Better Ventilation

A venting skylight allows air to enter the house and acts as a passive air conditioner. Warm air is drawn up into the skylight similar to a chimney or exhaust vent, creating a cooling effect inside the house.

Maintaining your roof in good condition so that it lasts for years is not difficult. Periodic inspection and regular maintenance work are all it takes, and it does not cost much. Neglecting to observe proper roof maintenance will prove expensive in the long run.

We strongly recommend performing regular maintenance work on your roof. Immediately replace or repair damaged portions such as cracked shingles. The alternative could be total roof replacement.

We listed below factors that affect roofing costs to give you an idea how or why there are times when Seattle roofing costs could get really expensive.

1. Roof Size

Schedule all roofing jobs to be carried out at the same time. The more square foot of the roof that needs to be worked on, the less is the labor cost per square foot. If you plan to repair a portion of your roof, inspect the other areas to assess whether these could be included in your planned repair. Repairing the roof one area at a time will cost you more in the long term than having a large portion of your roof repaired at one time.

2. No Maintenance

Maintaining a wooden deck on your roof so it stays in tiptop shape costs less than $100 a year. Replacing one from the ground up costs thousands of dollars. Maintaining a deck is easy. Just keep it clean by removing leaves and dirt between the boards and applying sealant to keep moisture out of the wood and prevent rotting. Failure to follow simple maintenance procedure could make a big difference between spending a hundred dollars to throwing away thousands of dollars.

3. Roof Materials

Different roofing materials are available to the homeowners. Each one has distinct installation needs and demands its own equipment, expertise, support materials and method. Of course, prices also vary with some costing more than twice the price of the cheapest roof. For instance, metal roofs are expensive because of its installation cost, which requires special skills and training on the part of the contractors.

4. Complex Roof

Labor costs more and could push up your roof repair expenses if your roof is complex with installed chimney, skylight, dormers and sidewalls. Contractors have to work around these areas and install flashing on each one, which not only slow the progress of work but require more effort on their part.

5. Hiring Inexperienced Contractors

If you are planning on saving money on the repair of your roof, you can choose less expensive roofing materials or simpler designs with less styles and modifications. Never cut down on expense by hiring cheap labor. You may end up with inexperienced contractors and inferior work that would entail additional work – and more expenses – if not a total makeover just to restore your roof to acceptable condition.