| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Rainguard Seamless Gutter |
Q: Should I install steel or aluminum gutters?
A: Both products have their advantages and disadvantages. Aluminum is
available in more pre-painted color choices and will never rust out. However, it
is a softer, more malleable metal than steel and is more susceptible to denting.
This is especially true in Colorado, where violent hail storms can create dimples
in the bottom of the gutter. This problem can be eliminated when used in
conjunction with professional gutter protection. Furthermore, home insurance
companies are quick to compensate for damage to aluminum or steel gutters,
cosmetic or otherwise.
Steel gutters are stronger and much more resistant to damage. However, they
are eventually susceptible to rust. Our Weatherguard pre-painted steel gutters
are made with Galvalume (a rust-resistant zinc/aluminum coated steel) which is
guaranteed against rupture, structural failure or perforation due to corrosion for
a period of 20 years. In Colorado's dry climate, we often see properly installed,
regularly cleaned steel gutter systems last much longer than that.
A: Both products have their advantages and disadvantages. Aluminum is
available in more pre-painted color choices and will never rust out. However, it
is a softer, more malleable metal than steel and is more susceptible to denting.
This is especially true in Colorado, where violent hail storms can create dimples
in the bottom of the gutter. This problem can be eliminated when used in
conjunction with professional gutter protection. Furthermore, home insurance
companies are quick to compensate for damage to aluminum or steel gutters,
cosmetic or otherwise.
Steel gutters are stronger and much more resistant to damage. However, they
are eventually susceptible to rust. Our Weatherguard pre-painted steel gutters
are made with Galvalume (a rust-resistant zinc/aluminum coated steel) which is
guaranteed against rupture, structural failure or perforation due to corrosion for
a period of 20 years. In Colorado's dry climate, we often see properly installed,
regularly cleaned steel gutter systems last much longer than that.
Please contact us today for a free estimate! (719) 491-6694 |
| Rainguard Seamless Gutter |
Q: What does flashing do and why do I need it?
A: Drip-edge flashing is a modified L-shaped strip of metal that directs runoff
water from the roofing shingle edge into the gutters. Without flashing, runoff
water can easily drip behind the gutters, causing dry-rot damage to a home's
soffit and fascia. Dry-rot can eventually ruin a home's soffit and fascia; stripping
paint, causing the wood to warp and even causing gutters to come loose.
Drip-edge flashing is especially important on older roofs where the roofing paper
and shingles are worn and curled at the roof edge. Water will follow this curl
directly into the fascia and accelerate the rotting process. Please click for a
diagram of a proper gutter installation complete with drip-edge flashing.
A: Drip-edge flashing is a modified L-shaped strip of metal that directs runoff
water from the roofing shingle edge into the gutters. Without flashing, runoff
water can easily drip behind the gutters, causing dry-rot damage to a home's
soffit and fascia. Dry-rot can eventually ruin a home's soffit and fascia; stripping
paint, causing the wood to warp and even causing gutters to come loose.
Drip-edge flashing is especially important on older roofs where the roofing paper
and shingles are worn and curled at the roof edge. Water will follow this curl
directly into the fascia and accelerate the rotting process. Please click for a
diagram of a proper gutter installation complete with drip-edge flashing.
Q: What is an ice dam? How can I prevent snow and ice buildup on my roof?
A: During the Colorado winter, freezing temperatures can lead to an ice dam.
This occurs when ice freezes along the edge of the roof and prevents melted
snow (water) from draining off of the roof. This trapped water can back up
beneath shingles and flashing and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation,
and other areas.
The majority of ice dams occur because the attic is too hot. Attic heat melts
snow on the upper roof, but the snow melt turns back into ice as it reaches the
colder lower edge of the roof/gutter. This ice dams attic snow melt from
draining off of the roof. Instead, the water can leak behind the shingles and
cause damage to the home.
A: During the Colorado winter, freezing temperatures can lead to an ice dam.
This occurs when ice freezes along the edge of the roof and prevents melted
snow (water) from draining off of the roof. This trapped water can back up
beneath shingles and flashing and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation,
and other areas.
The majority of ice dams occur because the attic is too hot. Attic heat melts
snow on the upper roof, but the snow melt turns back into ice as it reaches the
colder lower edge of the roof/gutter. This ice dams attic snow melt from
draining off of the roof. Instead, the water can leak behind the shingles and
cause damage to the home.
Proper attic insulation and roof/soffot vents can greatly lessen the impact of ice
damming. Insulation will prevent heat from your home from escaping into your
attic and melting snow on your roof. Vents will help even the temperature
throughout the roof so that snow is not melting in one area and re-freezing in
another.
Another solution to extreme ice damming is heating cable. Heating cable can be
applied to the roof edge, and even inside the gutter and downspout to prevent
ice dams and frozen gutters and downspouts. In our experience, low-quality
heating cable that can be purchased from big box stores is extremely unreliable.
Rainguard Seamless Gutter recommends Raychem Electric De-icing Cables.
Call us today for a snow/ice installation consulatation!
damming. Insulation will prevent heat from your home from escaping into your
attic and melting snow on your roof. Vents will help even the temperature
throughout the roof so that snow is not melting in one area and re-freezing in
another.
Another solution to extreme ice damming is heating cable. Heating cable can be
applied to the roof edge, and even inside the gutter and downspout to prevent
ice dams and frozen gutters and downspouts. In our experience, low-quality
heating cable that can be purchased from big box stores is extremely unreliable.
Rainguard Seamless Gutter recommends Raychem Electric De-icing Cables.
Call us today for a snow/ice installation consulatation!
