So, you’re ready to invest in new gutters for your home. That’s great, because a solid working gutter system can help keep you home safe from damage rainwater can cause.

Gutters keep your home’s paint from molding and cracking after rainwater curls under the eaves. And if rainwater pools on the ground by your foundation it can flood your basement.

With this kind of damage that can happen to your house without gutters – or a gutter system that isn’t working properly – it makes purchasing new gutters perfect sense.

Before you buy, you’ll need to consider a few things, like what type of material your gutter should be made from to work best for your home. And you’ll also need to think about the gutter shape and whether or not you need to have the gutters installed by a professional.

To help take the guessing work out of gutter purchasing, here are answers to common questions you may have before purchasing your gutters.

Remember: With the right gutters, your home’s foundation can stay free of leaks which can lead to costly plumbing repairs.

What material should I choose for my gutters? 
When it comes to choosing a gutter material, you’ve got several options.

Vinyl gutters are very popular thanks to their low-cost and because they are easy to install. In fact, if you have a one-story home, you may be able to install them yourself. These gutters are best for homes in mild climates, because they are prone to breakage in extreme cold weather. Still, vinyl gutters are better than no gutters and they work fine if you’re watching your pocketbook.

Aluminum gutters are light-weight and are weather-resistant, making them some of the most popular types of gutters today. They are easy to paint and can withstand very cold weather.

Another popular type of gutter are made from zinc. These are affordable, and extremely durable. Over time, they form a patina – similar to the patina copper gutters form – that offer protection to the outer layer of the gutter.

Steel and copper gutters are also growing in popularity, especially galvanized steel gutters. These are stronger than aluminum gutters and will withstand damage from things like tree branches better than aluminum gutters.

Copper gutters are the most expensive, typically. But they are the most durable and look great on older homes.

What gutter shape should I choose? 
Two of the most poplar shapes are K style and half-rounded gutters. K style gutters are the most popular on homes and feature a shape that looks a lot like crown molding.

Half round gutters have a curled front side, and typically drain water better than K style gutters.

Do I need gutters professionally installed? 
That depends. If you’re adding sections of gutters made from vinyl or aluminum that you bought at a home improvement store it is perfectly fine to install them yourself, although if your home is more than two stories we recommend you get help from a professional who can install them safely.

For steel or copper gutters, and for seamless gutters, you’ll need to contact a professional who can custom cut the gutters to fit your home.

How often do I need to replace my gutters? 
This depends on the type of material you chose. Aluminum and vinyl gutters will need to be replaced every few years while copper and steel gutters can last a lifetime.

How often do I have to clean my gutters? 
You’ll need to clean your gutters at least once a year, however, we recommend cleaning them more if you live under trees or in an area with a lot of natural debris.

With just a little planning, you can choose a gutter system that works great for your home and keeps costly plumbing problems at bay.  Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.

Follow these tips to make sure a plumbing problem won’t ruin your summer vacation 

When it’s time to hit the road or the skies for summer vacation, the last thing you want worry about is your home’s plumbing. Before you head out for the getaway you’ve been looking forward to, it’s a very good idea to check your home’s plumbing.

Just a few simple changes and checks can save you money on your utility bills and help you avoid costly repairs. And it will give you the peace of mind from knowing that while you’re away, your home’s plumbing is working the way it should be.   

Take a look at the checklist we’ve created to help you get your plumbing as vacation ready as you are.

Shut off water main – This is the source of all water entering your home through your home’s plumbing. New homes will have a handle that takes a simple quarter-turn to close and open. Older homes will have a knob like any exterior faucet. It is a good idea to know where this shut off valve is located for both extended periods away and when a water emergency happens.

Open faucets – Do this on your lower levels to relieve all water pressure throughout the home.

Check the gutters – Do an inspection of the gutters before you leave and clean out any debris including leaves and tree sticks. This will ensure that your gutters can handle rains while you’re away, so your home’s foundation stays safe.

Turn off the water heater – Tank water heaters, whether natural gas or electricity, use quite a bit of energy. To lower your utility bills while you’re away, turn off the hot water heater on either the main shutoff handle or the circuit panel. Or, check to see if your heater has a vacation setting you can take advantage of instead.

Unless there will be freezing temperatures while you’re gone, there is no risk to turning off your water heater – you’ll just have a little more money to spend on your vacation. Not sure you want to turn the water heater completely off? Consider keeping it at the lowest setting instead.

Drain the washing machine and dishwasher – This is a good idea to avoid mildew and mold that can accumulate if there’s even a small amount of moisture or water in them that hasn’t drained. Consider keeping the doors to the washing machine and dishwasher open as well.

Don’t turn off the pool pump – If the pool pump isn’t working, it will cause algae to build up. Instead, keep it running on an optimal setting while you are gone.

Drain your sprinkler system – If you’re not planning on watering your lawn with your sprinklers while you’re away, drain the system and shut it off. This will avoid a higher water bill due to a leak in the sprinkler system which can happen even if the leak is a small one.

Clean interior drains – Make sure all of the drains in your home – from the bathrooms to the kitchen – are clean. A store bought, environmentally-friendly drain cleaner can work wonders to keep bacteria and odor at bay.

Call a friend – Have someone check on your home.  Ask a friend or neighbor to check on your home while you’re on vacation. You may even consider giving them a checklist of things you want them to check to make sure everything is working properly. Be sure to give them your plumber’s contact information so they can get in touch with a professional if there’s a plumbing issue that needs to be addressed quickly.

Don’t let a plumbing problem get in the way of some well-deserved downtime. Follow our simple summer vacation plumbing check list, sit back, and relax. The team at Allied Reddi-Rooter has you covered.  Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.