Utah Gutter

Rain Gutters Salt Lake City Utah

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Phone: 801-803-6816

Get Your Heart Out of the Gutter

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The Valentine’s Day holiday is one of the most popular consumer holidays in the U.S, and in many countries across the world. As a holiday marketed to and overtly centered on relationships and couples and everything symbolic of connection, and friendship, and love, it is also a common day for sadness, depression, and other emotional chaos.

True Meaning of Valentine’s Day

To add some perspective, the thing about Valentine’s Day is that it doesn’t actually mean anything–and even to many people in stable, successful relationships, it is just another day in mid-February. The social importance placed on Valentine’s Day is typically overemphasized by advertising, so there is really no reason to get too worked up over the holiday–especially if you have a history of feeling bad during this one day of the year.

When you look at Valentine’s Day as little more than a branded holiday where your desire to connect with others or show appreciation or affection is swiftly commandeered by retail stores, restaurants, and virtually everyone else wanting your consumer patronage, the authority of the holiday is kind of lost.

It’s Only One Day

When your heart is in the gutter on another Valentine’s Day, just picture the overworked advertising executive tirelessly trying to finalize her campaign to convince you that your loneliness can be solved by going into debt for some material good.

The absurdity of the picture should give some perspective on the contrived importance the Valentine’s Day holiday creates. If you have cause to celebrate Valentine’s Day, do so. But if the thought of another Valentine’s Day holiday alone among all of the perceived happy couples is getting you down, remember that no relationship or personal connection hinges on any holiday, much less an expressly romantic holiday like Valentine’s Day, and there is always someone who has it worse than you.

Unlike many other larger, worldwide official holidays, Valentine’s Day is typically much more exaggerated in scope by media and advertising. The potential for connection and true love are always present, and don’t begin or end on the 14th of February.

Top Ways to Prevent Ice Dams

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As cold temperatures set in and fall progresses, it is time to start thinking about preparing for winter storms. Snow and ice have already come to some parts of the U.S and will soon be everywhere. With this arrival of below freezing temperatures and winter storms comes the risk of ice dams on homes and buildings. Preventing ice dams should be a top concern during the winter as these can be responsible for serious water damage to the roof and walls of structures. Preventing ice dams is a multi-faceted endeavor that requires inspecting the insulation and ventilation in your home, as well as the condition of your roof and gutters. Be sure to carefully inspect each one of these components to determine what needs improvement before the snow falls. Here are some helpful tips to prevent ice dams entirely.

Clean Out Rain Gutters



The first thing to do is clean out the rain gutters of leaves and debris. This should be done thoroughly a couple times a year to ensure that water flows freely through the gutters and to prevent buildup of detritus in the gutters. In the fall, leaves and other matter clog gutters and prevent water from flowing freely. When temperatures drop, this material can freeze and contribute to the formation of ice dams. Now is the time to completely clean out your rain gutters and ensure that they are in good condition for winter. Make sure obstructions are removed and that downspouts point away from the foundation to keep runoff away from the home.

Inspect Attic Insulation & Ventilation



Check the insulation in the attic to ensure that heat is retained in the living quarters of the home and does not escape through the attic. Too much heat buildup in the attic can melt snow and ice on the roof, create runoff into the gutters, re-freeze, and lead to ice dams. Ensure that the insulation is a proper grade and that it sufficiently fills the attic space. Also, make sure that the attic is properly ventilated to keep cold air circulating.

These two measures combined should help prevent runoff from the roof from freezing in the gutters and forming ice dams. As snow and ice melt, it is most important that the water runs freely through the gutters and to the ground. Ice dams become a problem when this process is impeded from attic heat buildup and clogged gutters.

Inspect the Roof



Last but most important is to inspect the roof structure and shingles to ensure that they are in good condition to withstand winter storms and heavy ice and snow. Most shingles need to be replaced every 5-6 years, depending on factors like climate, quality of the shingles, and overall wear. Have a look at the shingles and note if they are peeling, folding, or loose. If so, consider having the shingles replaced.

Also, don’t overlook the roof structure itself. Get in the attic and look for degradation in the wood or weaknesses that could be signs of structural problems. If you notice any sagging or horizontal cracks, contact a professional roofing company for a complete inspection and possible replacement. Doing this before the arrival of snow and ice is important for comfort and safety throughout the winter.

Benefits of Quality Home Siding: James Hardie

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Having quality home siding is important to protect your home from the elements, withstand specific weather conditions where you live, and help promote energy efficiency in your home. James Hardie fiber cement siding is a good choice for quality home siding, as it provides durability and safety with low maintenance and good value. Investing in a quality siding will help insulate and protect your home and give it a pleasing aesthetic. James Hardie siding is developed to suit the climate of your location.

The HardieZone System uses eight climatic variables to analyze environmental factors that cause damage to your home and manufactures siding unique to the regional weather conditions of your area. The siding is engineered for better paint adhesion and moisture resistance. Over time, of course, materials break down and weathering isn’t the only factor that leads to deterioration of siding. Exterior paint can peel and moisture can lead to rot in low quality siding. James Hardie fiber cement siding is resistant to these problems and can withstand adverse weather conditions better than other sidings.

The importance of energy efficient building materials is hard to overstate when the demand and cost of energy continues to rise. Siding is a home building material that is often overlooked for its contribution to home energy efficiency. Protecting and helping insulate the home from outdoor weather conditions is huge benefit of home siding. A quality siding, like James Hardie, will also contribute to a positive environmental impact since the siding is constructed using raw, recycled materials. When choosing siding for your home, it is important to go with a siding that is going to last and provide tangible benefits to your home. James Hardie siding is a superior siding that is both durable, resistant, and sustainably produced.

Protection for Your Gutters

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The gutters of your home serve an important function in keeping your home protected from damaging weather. To keep this protection in your home, it is important to further protect your rain gutters from leaves, debris, ice, snow, and other dangers that may come this way. At Rain Gutter Specialties, we have three different systems to help keep damage from happening to your rain gutters. Choose the gutter protection system that will best suit your needs, ensuring your gutters will continue to serve your home.

 

Why Gutters?

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First it is important to examine what gutters do to protect your home. This protection is especially important during the months of the highest precipitation. Your roof is designed to allow rain to tumble down the sides, preventing it from pooling and causing damage. Without gutters, this water falls directly around the sides of your home, seeping into the foundation. Over time the seeping will cause damage, cracking the foundation and allowing water damage into your home. Gutters will be the first and most effective defense here.

 

Even with gutters sometimes these dangers can occur if the proper steps of protection aren’t taken. Because of this Rain Gutter Specialties has additional protection that can be added to your gutters. These three protections will keep leaves and other debris out of your gutters, requiring less time for you in cleaning them out.

 

Gutter Protections

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There are three main types of gutter protection offered by Rain Gutter Specialties. Each of these have been designed to withstand the elements, all while allowing water to enter your gutters and effectively drain down the right channels:

 

  • The Solution – this consists of a high quality aluminum design that prevents gutters from overflowing while still stopping leaves from entering. This system is ideal for both older and newer gutters as it can be applied to both. Rather than trapping leaves just outside the gutters, this system will stop leaves from getting stuck here.
  • Leaf Terminator – this system works similarly to The Solution, and is useful on both a residential and industrial level. This system has a water flow ridge and valleys which will prevent leaves from entering the gutters. They still will be able to withstand heavy rainfall.
  • Gutter Topper – the gutter topper is unique in design and comes from the experience of Rain Gutter Specialties. It is effective in keeping all debris out of the gutters, as well as withstanding winds and rains that reach up to hurricane levels. This gutter protection will last, delivering the best protection.

There are a few ways to better protect your gutters from the elements. Make the changes by adding this additional strength to your gutters, ensuring they will be prepared to stand during any weather situation without additional maintenance.