A Barrel Full of Rain….

Posted on October 18, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

I’m sure you’ve heard of southern California referred to as a desert. While technically it has an enough water sources and rains just a tad too much to be geologically categorized as such, it is still a very dry landscape with frequent drought problems. As a responsible citizen, you probably want to do your part to conserve water. Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth is great, but there are better ways to save water that you probably haven’t even thought about – like a rain barrel!
What’s a rain barrel, you ask? Well, a rain barrel is probably exactly what you think. It’s a container that collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for watering plants and gardens. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through your gutter’s downspouts and become storm-water runoff. Depending on your yard, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.
What a waste! Did you know that if each of the 800,000 residential parcels in L.A. were to install just ONE single rain barrel, the city estimates that about 800 million gallons of water would be saved, which would in turn reduce the demand for tap water? That’s a whole lot teeth to brush! If you aren’t swayed by being “green” for the environment, what about saving “green” as in money? You would be surprised how much money you’ll save on your water bill by using rain collected in a rain barrel to water your lawn/garden!
It’s not just good for us humans; rainwater can help to improve the health of your gardens, lawns, and trees. Rain is a naturally soft water and devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. After all, it’s what plants in the wild thrive on…

There are many styles and options when it comes to rain barrels. It’s up to you to decide which type work best for your household. We have a few examples on our website under the “Products” section for you to look at. Not only are they functional, they also add character and flare to the esthetics of your house. Talk about a win-win! When you’ve decided on which barrel you want, we can come out to your home and install it for you. They are typically attached to a downspout or rainchain on your home’s gutter system. We’ve been expertly installing and working with rain barrels for year. Give us a call for a free estimate!

Posted in Rain Gutter Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley Rain Gutters, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

What is flashing? The noun, not the verb!

Posted on October 3, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

Perhaps you’ve looked at our logo and noticed that it says “Prestigious Raingutters And General Sheet Metal”… Let’s take a step back from the gutters, and talk for a minute about the sheet metal side of our work! The most common sheet metal work we do is flashing.
The roof of a residential home serves one major purpose, and that is to be a barrier against the weather outside. The most difficult weather element to control is water, and roof flashing acts as the last line of defense against water leakage. Roof flashing is simply a piece of sheet metal — usually aluminum or galvanized steel — which is placed over joints in roof and wall construction to prevent water seeping into the house and causing damage. The major cause of residential roof leaks is a fault in the roof flashing.
Roof flashing represents a very simple and intuitive engineering technique that has been known for hundreds of years. The whole idea depends almost entirely on gravity. If the flashing has been installed correctly, gravity will work with the flashing material to shed the water onto the regular roofing materials, where it is then directed to your rain gutters and ultimately away from your home. Roof flashing is commonly used around chimneys, fan vents, plumbing vent stacks, and other items that project out of residential roofs.
For roof flashing to be effective, it must be durable, low-maintenance, weather resistant, and also accommodate movement. Expansion and contraction can happen on a daily and/or seasonal basis. For example, sunlight can create very high surface temperatures during the day, causing the roof materials to expand, but at night the temperature drops and the materials contract. Seasonal changes can affect the framing lumber, and the flashing materials must be able to withstand all these changes and remain leak-proof.
The stresses that roof flashing experiences over time can make it more prone to failure when extreme weather occurs, such as high winds, or excessive heat which are common in the Los Angeles area. During installation, care must be taken to preserve the flashing materials.
Flashings are the most technical and most difficult aspect of roofing in most cases. Traditional roof flashing methods and materials have stood the test of time, but they require experience and are time-consuming. Since flashings are the weak link in the chain when it comes to roofing, the skills of a professional are an important asset with these types of installations and repairs. At Prestigious, we have the knowledge and experience to create flashing that works for you and your home.

Posted in Rain Gutter Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley Rain Gutters, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

All About Leader Heads

Posted on September 19, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

Leader Heads are also known as Conductor Heads, Leader Boxes, Collectors, Collector Heads, Conductor Boxes, Catch Basins, Bells, Scupper Heads, and Scupper Boxes. Whatever you choose to call them, they all serve primarily the same function: to channel water.

Commonly, when a building has a scupper, there will be a leaderhead used to catch the run-off water. Scuppers are used to provide an outlet through parapet walls or gravel stops on flat and built-up roofs to allow drainage of excess water. It’s basically just a drainage hole. Under such a hole, a leader head would be placed to catch the water. The leader head is then attached to a downspout, which will drain the water to a desired location. This protects the side of the building from being damaged by the constant stream of water.

Leader Heads also serve as a catch basin located at the top of some leaders/downspouts attaching the gutter sleeve to the conductor pipe.
Earlier, gutters laid around the rooftops of homes were directed to flow into joints at suitable intervals where the water would flow in to a single outlet pipe. These joints called leader heads or conductor heads were the places where most of the leakages and blockages would occur. Repeated repair, sealing, and plugging, made them look ugly. The modern day leader heads or conductor heads have completely changed the look and functioning of these joints. There is a wide variety of leader heads available, made of wide ranging material, color, and designs. They also vary according to the size of the downward spout to which they are to be connected.
Although, the primary purpose of these leader heads is to channel water, these are also designed to match the aesthetics of a building. Many leader heads have side openings, which let air in to the drain and muffle the sound of water gushing through the pipe. The air inlet also prevents formation of vacuum inside the pipe leading to obstructed flow. Some may contain filters within them to prevent clogging of the spout. Leader heads improve the flow of water and some may receive overflows due to any obstruction to the flow of water in the downward spout. The leader head may be placed at a point where many gutters directly flow into, or where many of the smaller scuppers empty their content. They are usually placed under a soffit or an over hanging ledge. They provide enough space to hold a lot of water so that the rooftop is not flooded during thunderstorms.

Leader heads come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Leader heads are often thought of as luxury accessories. They can certainly be eye-catching ornamental structures that add value and appeal to your home. Choosing the right leader head can be compared to an artist applying the finishing touch to his creation.
At Prestigious Raingutters, we have a wide variety of leader head options for you to choose from. Call us for a free estimate.

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Gutter Styles

Posted on September 5, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

There are different styles of rain gutters. The main two styles are half round and K styles.

What’s the difference?
When you look at a K-Style gutter straight on, they have an appearance on your roofline that resembles the shape of crown molding on your indoor ceilings. K-Style gutters are also referred to as OG or OGEE gutters. (“Ogee” is an architectural term for a form that goes from small to large) They are arguably the most popular type of gutter installed today. Their attractive shape appeals to homeowners, as does their reasonable price. They are highly effective, and can hold more water than a half round gutter with the equivalent diameter. They can be made of different materials, such as copper, steel, and seamless aluminum. K-Styles are often ideal for applications where a flat fascia has been installed. For canted or angled fascia, brackets are applied so that the gutter hangs correctly and securely.
Half Round gutters look exactly as you would imagine: like a round half-circle. With their classic simplicity, the half-round profile goes with virtually any style of home architecture. They can also be made of different materials; most commonly copper, aluminum, or steel. Half-round gutters are commonly used in custom homes, and the shape even allows for the material (most commonly copper) to be embossed, for a very elegant touch to the architecture of the home. Half-round gutters function the same way as K-Style gutters, however they are generally unable to hold as much water as an OG gutter with the same diameter. The half-round design is easier to clean, however. The surface is smooth, and there are no corners or creases for dirt or debris to become lodged.

There is a third, less common style of gutters known as Box Gutters. A box gutter does not hang onto the edge of a roof or on the edge or side of a house as many modern pre-formed metal gutters do. A box gutter is actually built into the bottom of the roof or into the roof overhang. They are usually made of steel. Box gutters date back to the 1800s and can be found on many older homes. They are still built and installed today. It is harder to control the slope on box-gutters, which is why most people today prefer other styles. Gutters that do not slope properly will back up and over-flow and also become clogged more easily.
Whichever style you choose, Prestigious Raingutters can make sure your gutters are properly installed and work to protect your home from water damage. Call us for a free estimate.

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Clean Your Gutters, Los Angeles!

Posted on August 22, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

Making a list of things to do around the house? Don’t forget to add cleaning your rain gutters and downspouts! It’s a vital chore, albeit an unpleasant one.
Gutters and downspouts are a key element in protecting your home from a wide variety of damages. Gutters will prevent your roof’s fascia boards from getting wet and rotting out. They also protect the paint, and stucco if you have it, on the sides of your house from water damage. Downspouts prevent water from pooling beside your foundation and seeping into your basement.
Debris, such as leaves, twigs, trash, birds’ nests, etc can accumulate in your gutters, and block the flow of water. Water then overflows and causes the above mentioned damages to your home. It can also pool and remain stagnant, which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unpleasant sights and smells. This is why regular cleaning is necessary to keep your gutters working efficiently.
Cleaning your gutter and downspouts can be done in one of two ways. Either by doing it yourself, or hiring it to be done by a professional.
Besides being a rather hot, dirty and time-consuming job, cleaning your rain gutters by yourself is also very dangerous. You will need to either get a ladder or do it from your roof. It goes without saying that this can be dangerous. Falling can cause severe injury, even death. It’s always recommended to have someone with you to hold a ladder and help secure your safety. Another thing you’ll want to do is make sure you wear safety glasses or goggles when doing any kind of gutter and downspout cleaning. You’ll have a lot of flying debris and if you’re on a ladder, you are right at eye level. Don’t take unnecessary chances with your vision. Do not neglect the downspouts while cleaning the gutters. Sometimes people clear out the leaves from the gutters, but forget to make sure the downspouts are clear! The downspouts are what drain the water caught in the gutters out to the ground, so if they are clogged, water will backup into the gutters. It is recommended to flush water through them with a garden hose to insure that water flows freely.
The easier, safer, more convenient way to insure that your gutters are in proper working order, is to hire a professional. At Prestigious Raingutters, we have over 20 years experience in cleaning rain gutters in the Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. We can quickly and efficiently clean out your gutters for you and make sure everything is working the way it should. We will also make sure the gutters are properly sealed to prevent leaks, and secured to your home.

Maintaining your gutter system helps prevent costly repairs and should not be overlooked. Call us for a free estimate.

Posted in Rain Gutter Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley Rain Gutters | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Rain Chains! An alternative to boring downspouts

Posted on August 8, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

Rain chains originated hundreds of years ago in Japan. They work just like downspouts, allowing the water collected in your gutters to drain to a desired area of your garden, or into a rain barrel. Instead of being concealed inside a downspout, however, rain chains allow the water to be visible. The water flows down the chain in a tranquil, mesmerizing stream. It’s very unique, elegant, and almost therapeutic to watch! They are attractive, decorative additions to your home when it isn’t raining as well.

Rain chains are sometimes desired because they are quieter than traditional downspouts. From the bell-like tinkle of drops falling from cup to cup, to the soft whitewater sound of a waterfall, rain chains eliminate the disruptive, clunky noise associated with closed downspouts.

There are generally two different main types of rain chains. Actual link chains, and cup or bucket chains. Link rain chains are just what you’d think. They are a chain of loops that link together. They can vary in size, material, and shape. Link styles can handle a fair amount of water, but in a heavy downpour, some of the water may splash off the chain to the sides. A double-loop chain will catch more water than a single loop chain. Cup styles catch the most water, however. Cup style rain chains consist of a series of decorative cups with open bottoms linked together on a chain. The water runs down the chain, but the cup helps catch extra water that splashes off the chain and directs it downward to the end of the chain for a more precise endpoint. The cups can come in many varieties and styles to fit the ambiance of your home.

The most commonly desired material for rain chains is copper. Copper rain chains are very attractive. Over time, copper oxidizes and forms a coating known as a patina. The patina can be green or brown in color, and actually helps prevent corrosion. It gives the metal an antique, stately look. The other popular materials used for rain chains are brass and aluminum. Aluminum tends to keep its silver color, while brass ages and becomes a bit darker over time, making it richer and more bronzy.

A common question is: does the wind make rain chains swing much? Wind is rarely reported as a complaint. Even in areas of southern California that experience heavy Santa Ana winds, you can safely use rain chains. If installed properly, your chain should not blow about in the wind.

At Prestigious Raingutters, we have years of experience with rain chains in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. We can expertly install your chain so that it drains properly, stays in place, and won’t cause damage to your home or existing gutters. Call us for a free estimate.

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Horrible Tales of Gutters Gone Wrong!

Posted on August 1, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

If my gutter is sagging slightly, or if it overflows a little bit now and again, it’s unsightly, but it’s not a big deal, right?
Wrong! Here are four eye-opening, and wallet-draining issues that bad gutters can cause that you probably aren’t aware of. If you let your rain gutters go without maintenance, even in southern California, you could wake up one day to find….
1) Your Roof is Ruined!
Your gutter system and your roof are intimately connected. Gutters take away the water that’s on your roof before it can linger and get under your shingles. The less time water stays on your roof, the fewer leaks, mold colonies and soft spots you’ll find.
Water that stays in gutters because of sagging or a bad hanging job can be sucked right up under the shingles and into your roof’s sheathing, which will rot away if you don’t deal with the problem quickly. Even if it doesn’t get under your shingles, it could erode them as the water backs up and soaks into them. Either way, you’re talking about a lot of money for problems that shouldn’t be happening.
2) Your Siding is Ruined!
If your gutters are hung incorrectly, they could fall, tearing down your siding with them. But that’s the only risk, right? So what if water gets on your siding… It’s all-weather! It gets rained on all the time!
Sure, but does it get subjected to a constant flow of water? No. And there’s a reason why it doesn’t – or shouldn’t! Just like water can get under the shingles, it can get under your siding. Once there, it can eat away at the wall materials and create a fertile environment for pests, as well as for mold! Mold loves vinyl siding, especially in areas that don’t get much direct light. Mold is unhealthy, ugly, and destructive. You will have to re-install all new siding, which is a pricey endeavor.
3) Your Basement is Flooded and Your Foundation is Eroded!
This is any homeowner’s worst nightmare: a basement flood. When your gutters are backed up, the water just spills out and into the soil around your house. Soil can only absorb so much water, and that water has to go somewhere else. And all too often, “somewhere else” is your foundation and basement.
A basement flood can cost you thousands of dollars, but foundation problems can cost you your house. A house on an unstable foundation can be condemned by the state if you let it go long enough. This is serious business.
4) Your Patio and Driveway are Damaged!
Water will seep into pretty much any concrete fixture eventually: there’s only so much a sealant can do against a steady stream of water. Eventually, it’ll cause cracks, rust rebar supports and cause other damage. A proper gutter system above your garage will help direct water away so that it isn’t draining out onto your driveway, causing a small river every time it rains.

Don’t let these nightmares become a reality. At Prestigious Raingutters, we have 25 years of experience cleaning, repairing and maintaining all types of rain gutters in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas. Let us help you sleep soundly by putting your rain gutter nightmares to rest. Call us for a free estimate.

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Seamless Rain Gutters in Los Angeles

Posted on July 18, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

The rain gutters and downspouts on any home are absolutely integral to keeping everything safe, dry and in proper working order. Any obstruction in your home’s drainage system and you could be looking at a potential source of flooding or other damage, such as mildew. There was a time when most homes were made simply to drain water off the leading edges, but today a variety of gutter technologies have arisen to handle this precipitation head on.
It used to be that most gutters were manufactured the same way. Steel pieces were soldered together using welding torches. All that changed with the advent of aluminum gutters that required little more than snap-on fasteners and elbow grease to go up. The great advantage of these lightweight, rust-resistant gutters is that they could be installed without difficulty, often in the space of an afternoon. The disadvantage, however, was leaking.
Rain gutters are made to drain in specific ways, through their downspouts, and not into the walls and foundation of your home. Little leaks like these can quickly lead to major problems at the structural level, defacing your home’s exterior and adding significantly to the chances for rot. Even minor leaks may eventually erode the fasteners that hold those gutters to the roof, creating a serious hazard. It is for this reason that home experts unanimously recommend regular gutter maintenance to ensure everything stays intact.
One of the most innovative solutions to the problem of leaking gutters has arisen only in the last couple of decades – seamless aluminum rain gutters! If you’ve never seen these clever devices before, they work essentially like their traditional counterparts, with one major difference – they are cut and bent from a single piece of tubing. To be precise, seamless gutters are not completely seamless. The gutters do actually have seams at the corners of the house. But with professional installation, these corners can be properly sealed to prevent leakage.
Probably the greatest advantage to seamless gutters is that they minimize the amount of maintenance you need to perform every season. Depending on the configuration you’ve chosen – adding gutter screens is sometimes recommended – you may be able to get away with many months of consistent use without any major cleaning. They come in a wide variety of colors to match your home, and they can withstand heat without becoming brittle in the San Fernando Valley sun, and they will not rust with precipitation along the ocean in Malibu. They are perfect rain gutters for Los Angeles County.

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Advantages of Copper Rain Gutters

Posted on July 11, 2011 by prestigiousraingutters

Copper rain gutters can add elegance and sophistication to your home while serving a much needed, functional purpose.
One of the biggest benefits to copper gutters is their durability and longevity. When you make the investment in these types of gutters, you are saving money in the long run, because they will not need to be replaced as often as other materials. Copper rain gutters do not rust or rot. They will stay in tact for decades. Copper rain gutters have been known to last for 80 years or more! They tend to require less maintenance than aluminum or other materials as well. They can easily withstand exposure to extreme weather conditions without weakening. The heat and dryness of areas such as the San Fernando Valley will not have an adverse effect.
Copper rain gutters add monetary value to your home and drastically increase curb appeal. You simply cannot deny the attractive shine and appearance of the metal.
Over time, copper oxidizes and forms a coating known as a patina. The patina can be green or brown in color, and actually helps prevent further corrosion. Normally, it takes at least six years for the patina to form although it is possible to speed up the process with certain chemical treatments. However, if you like the natural look of copper, then you will have to apply sealants that prevent the copper from oxidizing. Many people prefer the patina though, especially in older homes made from stone or stucco. It gives them a stately appeal. You’ll often see them on homes that grow ivy, or on more vintage looking homes. It’s elegant and unique. It will certainly set you apart from your neighbors.
It is not recommended to attempt installing copper gutters yourself. With a material as expensive as copper, you want to be sure that your gutters are installed professionally. At Prestigious Raingutters, we have over 20 years experience installing copper rain gutters in the Los Angeles area, and we know exactly how to secure them in place for optimum performance and durability.

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Aluminum Gutters in Los Angeles? You Betcha!

Posted on February 18, 2011 by rain_gutters

Rain gutters in Los Angeles come in a pretty decent variety — copper, steel, vinyl, and even wood or zinc — but by far the most popular gutters are made of aluminum. Here’s a quick rundown as to why.

Aluminum gutter systems have improved significantly in recent years. In the past, they had significant problems with paint coming off, and they were a bit too flexible. Today, however, those problems have been solved, and aluminum is an excellent gutter choice. Here’s a few things to look for when you go aluminum gutter shopping:

Thickness. Put simply, if it ain’t at least 8/25ths of an inch thick, don’t use it. Anything less than that won’t stand up to having a ladder leaning on it, and may collapse under the weight of a significant blockage.

Paint. Check the warranty on your aluminum gutters — it should extend several years into the future, ensuring that the paint won’t come off anytime soon. Keep in mind, though, that seamless aluminum gutters are made of a different stock and have less ability to hold paint than traditional gutters do. That said, seamless gutters are less prone to breaking than traditional gutters are.

Attachments. Don’t bother with the spike-and-ferrule type of gutter hangings that look like you’re just nailing the gutter to your house. As the gutters expand and contract with the swells of each rainstorm, they’ll slowly work those spikes loose, and you’ll just end up replacing your gutters that much sooner. Instead use hangers that allow your gutters to swell and contract without affecting the hanger.

Installation Getting aluminum gutters installed is easier than other types of gutters because aluminum is lighter than the other metals commonly used in gutter making. Furthermore, if you’re willing to have professionals come over and do it, you can have seamless aluminum gutters created on-site to perfectly meet the needs of your home.

Rain gutters are essential to protecting your LA home. Without them, you’re risking foundational erosion, wood rot, basement flooding, and a host of other issues. Aluminum gutters are an inexpensive method of avoiding these problems and more. If you need to replace the gutters on your home, consider aluminum gutters

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