OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER
Gutter Cleanout
Our Gutter Cleaning service guidelines consists of:
- Removing of any clogs in gutter systems (leaves, twigs, sand, shingle particles, weeds).
- Inspecting the guttering for correct water flow.
- Clearing all downspouts to make sure efficient water drainage.
- Bagging of all debris and taking it from the residential or commercial property.
- We are simply as good as our last project and we make every effort to provide superior work each time we clean gutters.
Our commitment is to make sure our customers get the quality service at the best possible price and we understand you have lots of choices for gutter cleaning in Houston and we want you to choose R&M Gutter Solutions to un-clog your gutters.
We back up all of our work with a 30-day written guarantee and a 100% total satisfaction guarantee!
GUTTER SCREEN/LEAF PROTECTION
Gutter guards prevent your gutters from clogging up with twigs, leaves, and other debris, making them especially useful during the fall when leaves are falling off of trees. Read our guide below to learn more about some of the best gutters guards on the market.
The gutters along the edge of your home’s roof can become clog over time with leaves, pine needles, twigs, and branches. If you don’t regularly clean your gutters, any collected water won’t be able to drain out the gutter’s drain pipe, which can lead to structural damage to your home.
To avoid having to climb up a ladder several times a year to clean out your gutters, consider investing in a gutter guard. While a gutter guard doesn’t completely eliminate the need for maintenance, it decreases the amount of time it takes for debris to build up. Keep reading to learn about the different types of gutter guards and what options are available on the market.
Gutter Repair
The primary function of gutters is to drive water that hits your roof away from where it could damage your home, such as the foundation and the walls. The constant exposure to harsh elements, however, can affect gutters’ performance and longevity. When you notice that they are not working as they should, consider an immediate gutter repair.
Leaves, twigs, and other debris are the common culprits of clogging. When these materials accumulate in your gutters, the water permeates the system. It will eventually spill down the sides, which can be detrimental to your home as a whole.
Other gutter issues include cracking, splitting, and peeling. Moreover, when the system begins to pull away from the wall, this could mean that it can no longer bear the extra weight of the roof plus the debris clogging the gutters. Fix these problems before it gets out of hand. It will cost you less when you take preventive measures now.
Splash Blocks
Splash blocks are rectangular pieces of plastic or concrete placed underneath the end of the downspout. Their purpose is to direct water as far away from your home as possible while preventing the soil from eroding and causing foundation issues. The cost of foundation repair can exceed $6,000.
The width of splash blocks depends on the frequency and severity of rainfall in your area. Narrower but concealed ones would be well-suited, although wider splash blocks can distribute heavy rainfall coming out of downspouts over a larger area. Much like your seamless gutters, these must also be checked periodically—sections can get knocked off their places due to shifting soil, lawnmowers or foot traffic.
Rain Barrel
Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property. It’s a great way to conserve water and it’s free water for use in your landscape. Many cities and towns distribute rain barrels to residents through annual sales. Other sources include online retailers, local home and garden supply stores. Cisterns are also used to “harvest” rain water. With a greater storage capacity they may be located above or below ground.
Note: Remember that as rain water flows over a roof surface it can pick up pollutants such as bacteria from birds and other animals, and chemicals from roof materials – factors to consider when thinking about using rain barrel water on edible plantings. Some links with information and suggestions are included below:
- Hedging Your Rain Barrel Bets, Sightline Institute, 2015 (PDF) (2 pp, 2.2 MB, About PDF)
- Rain Barrels Part IV: Testing and Applying Harvested Water to Irrigate a Vegetable Garden, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 2013
- The Importance of Operation and Maintenance for the Long-Term Success of Green Infrastructure, U.S. EPA, 2013 (PDF) (53 pp, 2.2 MB, About PDF)
Appendix A includes information about rain barrels and cisterns.
Why DO You Need and Effective Gutter Solution?
Expanding soil can make a structure’s foundation “float”, causing interior and exterior walls to crack and, at worst, the foundation’s structural integrity to fail. To protect a foundation on swelling soils, roof drainage must be carried away from the soil closest to the foundation. This prevents the soil from becoming saturated and creating an unstable environment for the foundation.
THE COST
- The average cost of foundation repair is currently about $6,000+ but can cost tens of thousands.
- Homes that are not protected with a properly installed rain removal system are more likely to suffer foundation damage and are less likely to retain their value.
- Studies show that 70% of homes have improper gutter systems or no gutter systems at all.
- Experts all agree that foundation damages left unrepaired will continue to worsen and become more expensive to repair.
PREVENTING FOUNDATION FAILURE
Experts agree that a quality rainwater diversion system is the most effective way to safeguard your investment from the costs and stress that comes with a damaged foundation.
“The most effective way to provide uniform moisture control… is to install roof eave gutters and downspouts and ground level elbow extensions.”
“It is our professional opinion that a roof drainage system is required to adequately protect the foundation of your home.”
Do Your Gutters Need Cleaning?
Problems. Sagging, leaking, or overflowing gutters are often a result of poor gutter maintenance and are signs that your gutters need cleaning. Improper maintenance can increase the likelihood of flooding in your home in addition to leading to a variety of issues, including water damage to fascia and foundations.
Debris. Gutters often collect debris consisting of leaves, pine needles, seeds, twigs, and granules from shingles. In fact, seeds that have fallen into the gutter during springtime will often grown into adult plants there if not uprooted during cleaning.
Clogs. Downspouts are the pipes that lead water from the gutters away from the house. They can become blocked by leaves, pine straw, or other debris, causing your gutters to overflow.
Importance of Maintenance
When to clean. Gutter cleaning should be done a minimum of twice per year. The first in the Spring, after heavy storms and flowering plants have spread their seeds, pods, and buds. The second in the late Fall, after the leaves have fallen. It is best to check your gutters regularly all year to ensure water is flowing properly.
Safety precautions. The heights involved make gutter cleaning dangerous. To ensure their safety, professionals have special training as well as proper equipment, such as ladders with levelers. Any company working at your home should carry both workers’ compensation insurance and liability insurance. This is especially true for gutter cleaning companies; damage to property is always a possibility.
Debris removal. Only some companies haul away the debris removed from gutters. Debris removal typically increases the cost, so when comparing rates, make note of how each company will handle the debris.
Protection Systems
Covers. Cover systems are installed over existing gutters. They direct water around and under the cover while shedding larger debris.
Screens. Gutter screens do not eliminate the need for cleanings but may increase the time between when cleanings are needed. These simple wire or mesh screens are usually the cheapest and easiest gutter protection systems to install, and they can be removed for maintenance with few problems.