What Are Rain Chains?

Rain chains are the unique alternative to traditional downspouts. The purpose of a rain chain is to channel water from the top of the home to the ground. These chains originated in Japan and are a common way to transport water away from the home in Japan. The chains are often highly decorative and can be found on temples or classically styled homes throughout the country of Japan.

Are They Efficient?

After the installation of a rain chain, you shouldn’t expect to see any drainage problems on account of your new installation. It must be said however that when compared to traditional rain downspouts, rain chains are less effective. However, the effectiveness is largely dependent on how the chains were installed and what style was used?

Is It Just A Chain?

In most cases, a chain link is used to connect a number of cups, metal flowers, or other ornaments that help transport water down the chain. It may be that the rain chain is nothing more than a chain link. However, often home and business owners desire to style their chains to make them more aesthetically pleasing and efficient.

How Is The Rain Chain Installed?

These chains don’t affect the gutter system on the top of your home. Instead, a chain is merely installed in a gutter system to take the place of the traditional downspout. To make sure that your rain chain will work efficiently, it’s advisable that you hire a professional to carry out the installation.

How Do They Keep Water Away From The Home?

Unlike traditional downspouts, chains do not push water away from the home. To make sure that rainwater doesn’t pool at the bottom of your chain, install a French drain to ensure that water is being carried a safe distance from your home.

To have your unique rain chain installed in your home, call the Prestigious Rain Gutters company at 818-993-0493. These professionals are one of the few companies to offer rain chain installations in the Northridge, Los Angeles, and Ventura Counties.

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Salient Differences Between K-Style & Half-Round Gutters

There are two main styles of gutters: k-style and half-round gutters. These two styles are the most popular due to their ability to efficiently drain water. While they are both solid choices for any residential or commercial building, there are some notable differences that you should be aware of before purchasing either of these two styles.

K-Style Gutters

Most homes in the US use K-style gutters. One of the main reasons this is so is because it complements most architectural styles. K-style gutters lay flat on one side. This shape enables them to easily be secured onto the home. This style of rain gutter can be found in all different shapes and sizes. K gutters can either be bought at a full length, or pre-cut to be assembled at a later time. These gutters require assembling with the help of sealants and connectors. It’s suggested that the installation of these gutters be carried out by a professional in order to ensure that it’s done correctly. K gutters can be found in both seam and seamless styles. Seamless aren’t in need of much assembling and are less prone to leaks than seam gutters are. Gutters can also be found in a color that complements your home.

Half-Round Gutters

Half-round gutters can typically be found on colonial homes. They offer a unique design that only complements a certain style of homes. In particular, half-round gutters are best for homes with rounded rooflines that are made of copper and steel. Due to the complex design, these gutters are best left to be installed by professionals. The unique design also makes these gutters more expensive when compared to K-style gutters. Similar to K gutters; half-round gutters can be found in a range of colors and sizes.

With both types of gutters offering different benefits, you’ve got quite a bit to consider before your purchase. Consult with the experts by calling the Prestigious Rain Gutters company at 818-993-0493. The work of the Prestigious Rain Gutters is on showcase all over the Northridge, Los Angeles, and Ventura County communities.

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5 Rain Downspouts Tips To Improve Drainage

Rain downspouts connect gutters to the ground. Their purpose is to collect that water that has landed on your roof and channel it to the ground floor. An efficient downspout will push water far enough away from your home so that it doesn’t pool up and wreak havoc on your house’s foundation. To get the most out of your downspouts, heed the following tips on how to increase efficiency.

Inspect And Clean Gutters

A clog will mean that the flow of water from the top to the bottom of your home is being inhibited. This could damage the integrity of your downspout. Clean drains twice a year and replace gutters every 20-25 years.

Extend The Rain Downspout

Have you found that even with a downspout installed, water is still pooling close to your home? An easy fix to this is to simply extend the downspout. Doing so will push water so that it’s a safe distance from the home.

Alter The Slope

It’s possible that water doesn’t have enough momentum to get pushed away from the home. You may have found that water is pooling in your downspout. If this is the case, you’ll want to make the slope of the downspout steeper.

Add A Splash Block

A splash block is placed under the downspout. This block’s purpose is to carry water away from the home once it has exited the spout. Blocks are easy to install and are cost-efficient. When you place yours below the downspout make sure it’s positioned in such a way that it leads water away from the home.

Surround The Downspout With Thirsty Plants

Aid in downspout drainage by planting thirsty plants around the spout. Proper landscaping will offer a natural solution to draining issues while making your yard more attractive.

If you’re a Northridge, Los Angeles, or Ventura County resident and you want to fix up your rain downspout, call the company of the Prestigious Rain Gutters at 818-993-0493.

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Choosing The Perfect Commercial Rain Gutters

Commercial rain gutters keep businesses safe and unblemished from the throes of Mother Nature. Keeping a company afloat means installing commercial gutters that can be depended on. However, with all the different types of gutters on the market, you’ll have to do some serious thinking before making your purchase.

K-Style or Half-Round Style In Los Angeles?

When it comes to efficient drainage, the half-round style takes the cake. However, when considering which of these two to purchase, you must also take into account the style. Half-round style gutters are generally used on buildings with antique architectural styles. K-style gutters are used on contemporary properties. K-style is the type most found in Los Angeles. The first step in your gutter purchasing process is choosing which style you wish to use for your company.

Seamed or Seamless Commercial Rain Gutters?

Seamless rain gutters have been proven to be more efficient than seamed ones. Seamed gutters are more likely to leak where joints are connected. Seamless gutters require being installed by professionals due to the use of specific machinery.

Rain Chain or Traditional Downspout?

Downspouts are vertical pipes that connect rain gutters to the ground level of the building. Rain chains are literal chains that have the same purpose as downspouts yet offer an aesthetic appeal that downspouts don’t. Rain chains are literal chains that gradually transport water from the roof to the ground. Rain chains don’t often transport water away from the building. Instead, holes are often dug and filled with decorative rocks in order to safely tuck water away. It must be noted that traditional downspouts drain water more efficiently than chains do. However, as mentioned before, the take away is that chains are much easier on the eyes.

No matter which type of commercial rain gutters you choose for your home, the experts at Prestigious Rain Gutters are available to help you install them. Call the company that supports clients in the Northridge, Los Angeles, and Ventura County communities at 818-993-0493.

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The Basics Of A Splash Block

Many homeowners aren’t aware of the instrumental role that splash blocks play in leading water away from the home. Having quality splash blocks will greatly improve your home’s foundation. So just what exactly are splash blocks?

What Is A Splash Block?

At the bottom of your drain spout you should notice a block. The object that your drain spout rests on is called the splash block. The device will typically be made of plastic or concrete. The shape is often rectangular and should be facing downhill.

What’s The Purpose Of A Splash Block?

Your whole drainage system should have one purpose: efficiently transport rainwater from the home. A splash block in the final piece to this drainage system. This block functions as an extension of the downspout. If there was no splash block to help carry water further away from the home, it’s likely that it would pool near the home and cause issues with the home’s foundation. If water is allowed to pool, it could possibly result in hundreds of dollars in damage. A splash block is used to prevent this from happening. If positioned correctly, it will channel water away from the home so that it may drain properly.

How Do I Install Splash Blocks?

Most splash blocks don’t need much work to be installed. Once you’ve got your block, simply place it under the drain spout. Be sure that your spout and block are both facing away from the home. The most common issue that a homeowner has with their splash block is that it’s not pointed in the correct direction. If you are unsure of how to position your block, call a professional.

How To Clean A Splash Block?

Splash blocks rarely need to be cleaned. The most important thing to take note of is if there is a large object resting on the block. If so, it must be moved. Cleaning can be done with a power washer, or by scrubbing the block.

Should you have questions regarding your drainage system or splash block, call Prestigious Rain Gutters at 818-993-0493. The team at Prestigious Rain Gutters services clients in the Northridge, Los Angeles, and Ventura County communities.

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What To Know About Rain Gutter Maintenance

Rain gutters play a crucial role in channeling rainwater away from the home. A proper gutter system protects siding, windows, doors, roof integrity, and the home’s foundation. Gutter installation, cleaning, and repair are all important aspects of creating a well-functioning gutter system. Make sure you increase the longevity of your gutters by heeding the advice of this guide.

Clean Gutters Twice A Year

Leaves, debris, and other objects will clog up your gutters. This clogging will lead to an overflow of water and will slowly degrade the quality of your gutters. Overweight gutters will pry your gutter loose and the pooling water may make the gutters rust, depending on the material used. Cleaning gutters at least twice a year should increase their lifespan.

The Proper Cleaning Method

For the most part, cleaning gutters is a straightforward process. To begin, start at the drain outlet and use a garden trowel to scoop up objects. Be sure to scoop away from the drain, avoiding the mistake of pushing object down it. Make sure that the debris you’re scooping out goes into a garbage bag.

The second step involves using a hose with high water pressure to push dirt and minor debris through the gutters. Use a brush to scrub away any resilient dirt that refuses to budge.

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that the part of the drain you can’t see is clear. This is most easily done by using a hose to push clogs through. However, if this doesn’t work, you’ll need to use a plumbing snake to pull debris out from the drain.

Throughout the year you’ll want to pay attention to how the gutters drain. If there appears to be an issue, you may want to consider gutter cleaning. If there happens to be a bigger issue, you may want to call for professional assistance. The Prestigious Rain Gutters install, clean, and repair gutters in the Northridge, Los Angeles, and Ventura Country area.

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Choosing Shiny Rain Gutters

Rain gutters are an important part of any house. Just like the walls, windows and doors they do their part in keeping a house dry and protected. Rain gutters prevent rain water from collecting on the roof and causing damage by leaking inside the walls leading to mold or short circuiting electrical components by getting onto the wires. By diverting rainwater off of the roof and away from the house rain gutters are a necessity and choosing the right ones is important.
Aluminum is a popular choice among homeowners. It is lightweight, making it preferable for DIY projects and is reasonable in price. Aluminum can also be customized for a seamless construction and is somewhat rust resistant. Stainless steel gutters on the other hand, is much more rust resistant than aluminum and is more sturdy. It will not be damaged as easily as aluminum which also means it is heavier and somewhat more difficult to work with. Steel gutters to retain their shine longer than any other material and don’t require constant upkeep. They don’t crack or warp in the heat as opposed to aluminum which has a tendency to suffer from thermal damage. Basically, steel gutters are a better choice if the house if located in a harsh environment.
Aluminum and stainless steel gutters are not the only types available. They also come in copper, galvanized and galvalume style at Prestigious Raingutters. Although the most common shape for rain gutters is rectangular, a half round version is also available made from all the same materials as the standard shaped ones. Pre-weathered zinc gutters offer a fully natural color upon installation after undergoing a pre-patination process. In other words, its appearance will not change over time.
Prestigious Raingutters and General Sheet Metal. Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for 25 years, call for a free estimate 800-993-1193 or 818-993-0493.

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Directing Waterflow with Splash Blocks

To enjoy a home for an extended period of time it is important to take care of it. There are the large aspects such as the roof, the walls and plumbing and electrical systems; but there is also a number of small things without which significant damage may result. Some of them may be the protective strip keeping windows waterproof or a splash block which prevents water from pooling near the base of the house. These splash blocks are located under the downspouts outside the house and are either plastic or concrete. They are rectangular in shape with an open and a closed end. This design helps to guide the water away from the house when it comes down through the downspout, which is important since by then it is no longer rain drops but a flow that has collected in the rain gutters.
Installing this simple device prevents significant problems, even structural damage to the house. The water can pool or flow backwards toward the foundation and soak in causing cracks and hundreds of dollars’ worth of damage. It is important to note that when new grass is being put in, the gardener may turn these splash blocks pointing toward the house so as to let the seeds take root without being washed away from the water being directed at them with the splash block. The homeowner must remember to turn the blocks so that the open end is facing away from the house after it is no longer a danger to the grass or whatever was planted in the water’s path. In conclusion, correctly installing and maintaining the splash blocks around the house is an easy step in preventing future damage to the home’s foundation.
Prestigious Raingutters and General Sheet Metal. Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for 25 years, call for a free estimate 800-993-1193 or 818-993-0493.

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Choosing Rain Gutters for a Home

Just like homes are available in many colors and styles so are rain gutters. For the standardized, modern house rectangular shaped aluminum gutters may be the best fit. They are light-weight, versatile and go well with most styles of exteriors. They are easy to work with and are less expensive than some other alternatives. Spanish style homes may look better with a copper rain gutter, the standard 16oz version are slightly better than their aluminum counterparts. The main benefit of these types of gutters, other than the look, is the lack of mildew.
The galvanized steel gutters are coated with a layer of zinc. This type is stronger than others but is prone to rust and requires more upkeep. Installing leaf protectors will further ensure that leaves and other debris will not settle and clog the rain gutters. If the strength of zinc is preferred, a coating of aluminum is also available in a form of galvalume. This is achieved through a hot dipping process with 55% aluminum and 45% zinc. Needless to say galvalume last significantly longer than galvanized steel. Zinc gutters can often be left unpainted because they have a tendency of developing a protective patina which protects it from weathering and corrosion. They are generally higher in price but their longevity and lack of maintenance make them a preferred choice for those homeowners who wish to install and not be concerned about their rain gutters for a long time.
Rain gutters are one part of the whole drainage system that a well maintained home should have. There are also the hangers which attach them to the house, the downspout affixed vertically and an elbow which directs the water flow away from the foundation with the help of a splash block.
Prestigious Raingutters and General Sheet Metal. Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for 25 years, call for a free estimate 800-993-1193 or 818-993-0493.

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Can’t Hang the Rain Gutters Without the Hangers

Putting up rain gutters has come a long way from the spike and ferrule method. Now days not only is there a large variety of the rain gutters themselves but a multitude of rain gutter hangers are also available. For many standard sized rain gutters, especially for a seamless gutter system, the preferred hanger is a K style hd quick screw hanger where the screw is 1.5 to 2 inches long and can easily be drilled directly into the fascia board. That’s not to say this type of hidden bracket is the only or even the best type of hanger in every situation.
Rain gutter hangers are generally attached every two feet starting from the middle to keep the gutters in place and to strengthen the front edge.To make sure the water drains properly it’s important to attach the rain gutter hangers at a slight slope. This allows gravity to do its job and direct any collected rain water toward the downspout and away from the house. Another type of hanger is a wrap around, this type offers a secure fit and is great at keeping the gutters in place, however, it’s not the best for aesthetic purposes. Looking up at the house, this type of hanger is visible from the outside versus the quick screw which stays hidden inside the gutter. If the hanger is to be seen from the outside, they are designed to match the exterior of the house, most hangers are available in aluminum, copper and galvanized. The two major types of hangers are the K style and the half round gutter hangers to fit the type of rain gutter they are attaching to the house.
Prestigious Raingutters and General Sheet Metal. Serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for 25 years, call for a free estimate 800-993-1193 or 818-993-0493.

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