Rain Chains!

Posted on August 6, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

Hundreds of years ago in Japan, rain chains were invented. They work the same way downspouts do, 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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Gutter Importance

Posted on July 27, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

One of the most important features of any home — the rain gutters — are also one of the features that is the most often overlooked, downplayed, or simply ignored. Gutters are so extremely crucial to the maintenance of a home, however, that it should be a crime to not give them the attention they deserve.

A gutter, in unnecessar-ese, is an exterior home drainage assistance device. In other words, it sits on the outside of your home, assisting the forces of gravity, momentum, inertia, and fluid dynamics in the process of getting water off of your roof safely. Without gutters, water runoff can damage almost every part of the outside of your home, but that’s just the beginning.

Water that runs down the outside of your home doesn’t just stop and disappear into an aquifer when it hits the ground. In fact, it gathers around the basement walls and/or foundation of your home, where it can seep inside or erode the foundation itself. If there’s one thing that’s harder to deal with than a flooded basement, it’s a shifting foundation. Nothing quite matches the feeling of walking through a house that’s tilted, even just a tiny bit, due to rain damage.

Fortunately, we have gutters. Gutters and downspouts are inexpensive, relatively easy to install, and, when done properly, can add beauty to your home. Gutters come in several basic materials — vinyl, steel, copper, and aluminum are the most common — and each material has its own pros and cons. Research a little to find out which would be best for you and your home.

One thing to remember when installing rain gutters is that they should be placed so that the roof overhangs the gutter by about half. The downspouts should be positioned so that the water runs far enough away from the house so that they don’t create puddles that reach the side of the house; that keeps the water away from the basement and/or foundation.

Once they’re installed and working properly, maintained your gutters by cleaning them (or hiring a gutter cleaning service) twice each year — once at the end of summer and once at the beginning of winter.

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A Leader Head/Scupper Box/Conductor Head By Any Other Name will Drain as Sweet….

Posted on July 2, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

Leader Heads are also known as Scupper Boxes, Conductor Heads, Leader Boxes, Collector Heads, Conductor Boxes, Collectors, Catch Basins, Bells, Scupper Heads, and Conductor Heads. Whichever name you choose to call them, they all serve to channel water.

Most often, when there is a scupper on a building, 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 excess water to drain. 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) Size Matters!

Posted on June 18, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

Standard gutters for homes and non-industrial buildings are typically either 5 or 6 inches.

The terms “5-inch” and “6-inch” refer to the width across the top of the gutter. And in most cases, these sizes are sufficient to drain water away from your house. When using the most OG or K-style gutter, 5” gutters are typically used. When using the half-round style, we usually go with 6” gutters because they are a bit more shallow than OG, so we want to be sure the water won’t spill over.

In Southern California, we don’t see very many homes which require 7” gutters. In other parts of the country where it rains more frequently and are prone to torrential downspouts, sometimes it’s necessary for these super-sized gutters to catch all the water from these storms, especially on homes with large roof areas and a strong pitch.

Downspouts also come in different sizes. When using round downspouts, the standard size is 3 inches. When using the more common rectangular shaped downspouts, the standard size is 2×3 inches. These sizes fit with both 5” and 6” gutters. Occasionally a larger 3×4 inch downspout will be used, but typically the 2×3 is sufficient to drain all your water properly.

Determining the optimal gutter size for your home—as well as the required number and size of the downspouts—is where a professional installer comes in handy. Here at Prestigious Raingutters, we have been doing this for over 25 years! You can trust our judgement. We will come out and take a look at the square footage and slope of your roof. This will tell us what size gutters and downspouts you will need. We will also determine the weight of water that a given section of gutter must hold, and thus the number, style, and spacing of the spikes or hangers needed to hold up the gutter and keep it sloped properly. We also take the time to consider what will look best on your home. We are proud of our gutters, but we realize that they should not be a focal point! We find the most streamlined ways to put our gutters up and look for the most appropriate spots for downspouts so that they will not stand out and draw attention.

We will be happy to come out and give you a free estimate. 818-993-0493

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Roll Out the (Rain) Barrel…

Posted on June 4, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

As a responsible citizen, you probably want to do your part to conserve water, right? No, I’m not talking about turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth… I’m talking about rain barrels! 
A rain barrel is a container that collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for watering your 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? 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!

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It DOES Rain in Southern California! Why Gutters Are Important Here!

Posted on May 21, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

Your homes DO need rain gutters, Los Angeles! If you have any intention of properly maintaining your house, having properly functioning rain gutters is simply a necessity. The headaches that rain gutters can prevent — and the problems that can occur if they are blocked up, leaking, or simply not present — are  severe!

Gutters take the rain water running off of your roof and they channel it away from your home, preventing water from damaging your roof, soffits, exterior paint, windowsills, and shutters. More importantly, they keep water from getting inside your walls, settling around your foundation, or getting into your basement.

Without gutters, water can collect around your foundation, which can cause it to crack (or, for some types of foundation, slide or roll). Regardless, the stability and structure of your home are immediately compromised. That’s not only dangerous, but expensive too! Water around your foundation can also seep under your floors, which can cause rugs to start molding from the bottom up, wood floors to warp, and can cause electrical damage. All that water can also wick up the wooden structure of your house, and get inside the walls, where it can inspire the growth of unhealthy black mold, even in the relatively dry heat of the Valley.

All of this can be prevented simply by installing and properly maintaining a good rain gutter system. There are lots of options on the market, ranging from traditional aluminum  to beautiful copper gutters and galvanized steel as well. All of them do the same job, so pick the material that best compliments your home’s aesthetics.

Once installed, you must keep your gutters clean. Gutter screens can go a long way toward making this job easy, but even with them, you should still check your downspouts at least once a year and make sure that everything is flowing properly. By performing this basic maintenance, you can get decades of excellent service out of your rain gutters.

Rain gutters are the best way to prevent all the painful damaging effects of loose water on, in, and around your home. You can’t blame it on the rain this time — get your home properly protected. Call Prestigious Raingutters for a free estimate!

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Gutter Cleaning – You gotta do it, LA!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

Don’t forget to add cleaning your rain gutters and downspouts to you Tto-Do list! 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. They also protect your home’s paint/stucco from water damage. Downspouts prevent water from pooling beside your foundation and seeping into your basement by directing the water away from the house.
Leaves, twigs, trash, birds’ nests, etc can accumulate in your gutters, and block the flow of water that the gutters are there to direct. Water then overflows and causes the above mentioned damage. 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.

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Rain Chains Instead of Down Spouts

Posted on April 24, 2012 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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Gutters are a little off – What’s the worst that could happen?

Posted on April 3, 2012 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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Copper Gutters in Los Angeles

Posted on March 19, 2012 by prestigiousraingutters

Copper rain gutters can do all the normal, important work of raingutters, but with elegance and sophistication! Why not put as much into the outside of your house as do the inside?
Copper rain gutters have been referred to as “jewelry for your house.” It’s true, the elegance is a huge reason to copper, but it’s got many other advantages besides just looking pretty!
One of the biggest benefits to copper gutters is their durability and how long they last. When you make the investment in copper gutters, you are saving money in the long run, because you will replace them less often than other materials. Copper rain gutters do not rust or rot, which means they will stay in tact for decades! Copper rain gutters have been known to last for 50 years or more! They tend to require less maintenance as well. They can withstand exposure to extreme weather conditions such as baking heat and dryness of areas such as the San Fernando Valley!
Copper rain gutters add monetary value to your home and drastically increase curb appeal. You simply cannot deny the attractive 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. 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. 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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