Keeping Your Rain Gutters in Top Shape

Installing a rain gutter system in a home is a vital part in keeping it free from water damage. It protects the roof from having rain water pool on top and seeping into the walls and into the house itself. That damage can be anything from unsightly water stains to mold to damage of electrical components if it reaches a wiring system. Proper rain gutters also protect the foundation by diverting the water away from the base of the house. The downspout and splash blocks prevents the water from the roof from seeping into the ground and eventually causing cracks and other damage at the base of the house.
Just like everything else, even the best drainage system requires regular maintenance. Rain gutter cleaning is essential to allowing it to do its job. Rain gutters have a tendency to catch more than rain water, most notably leaves from the surrounding trees and well as other debris that may be carried by the wind. Regular cleaning prevents clogged downspouts, keeps the gutters affixed to the house and extends its overall longevity. Because they are located high up off the ground, higher on multi-storie structures, it may be safer to call a professional who specializes in rain gutter cleaning. While they are up there, a professional will also be able to see if the gutter needs to be tightened or any other adjustments are needed. Although not often, but there is also the possibility of a various creatures making a home for themselves in and around rain gutters. Sometimes birds or wasps may build themselves nests just under the roof of a home. Specialized businesses such as Prestigious Raingutters are well aware of these hazards and will take care to complete the job professionally without incident.
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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Using Downspouts to Protect the Foundation

Buying a home is an exciting time and protecting that investment is important. A good way to do that is with insurance, earthquake, fire, flood or any other type that keeps the home covered from dangers prevalent to the area. A top notch security system protects from uninvited guests, as does outside lighting and security locks on both doors and windows. With so many aspects of the home to protect, it’s important not to forget about the foundation.
The foundation holds up the rest of the house, making sure its level and safe. Without a proper rain gutter system in place, particularly, the lack of rain downspouts may lead to a damaged foundation. The purpose of rain downspouts is to direct water away from the house. Otherwise it would pour alongside the house, into the ground and down to the foundation weakening and eventually damaging the very base of the house. Just like the symbolism of having a strong foundation is important, so is the literal foundation of a house.
There are many styles of houses and a variety of rain downspouts to match and complement the home. Then can be purchased in plain white aluminum or galvanized steel. They are also available in copper both rectangular and wide spiral shaped as well as plain round. The elbow is the portion of the pipe near the ground that does the directing of water flow away from the foundation. In fact, it can be modified to water a garden or flow into a rain barrel. Making the most of water is important in Southern California and having a good rain gutter system allows a homeowner to do that by controlling its direction through the use of a downspout.
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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Don’t Mix your Metals

Let’s say you have a nice steel gutter system and one day something happens to one of your downspouts and it needs to be replaced…. So you call around and do some research and learn that aluminum is less expensive than steel and comes pre-painted, so you decide you want to replace the downspout with a new aluminum one – simple, right?
Yes and no…

Galvanic Corrosion is an electrochemical process which occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte, most commonly being moisture and oxygen. For example rain water and salt water make especially good electrolytes. An electrolyte could be any non-metal matter that will conduct an electric current and are predominantly liquids or moisture. Every metal has been rated for nobility and then placed on galvanic scales according to nobility. Basically nobility is a measurement of the resistance to corrosion, especially of one metal contacting another metal. Metals that are the least noble means they are very anodic, electropositive or high potential and will corrode most easily. Aluminum is the least noble, so it will corode the fastest. Metals that are the most noble, means they are highly cathodic, electronegative or low potential and will be the most resistant to corrosion. The most corrosive effects will occur between metals from the opposite ends of the galvanic scale or ranking of nobility. This difference in electrical potential between two or more metals causes galvanic corrosion. Dissimilar metals in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte causes current to flow through their points of contact at the expense of the metal with the higher potential or less nobility. The much less noble metal is gradually consumed in the Electro-chemical reaction and will deteriorate or wear away as the metal ions migrate away from the very anodic metal to the more noble cathodic one. The more noble metal’s corrosion resistance actually increases from this transfer of ions to it from the less noble metal, while the other metal is gradually getting consumed.

What does that mean?! It means that over time, with water flowing between the steel and aluminum, the aluminum is going to start to corrode and you will have a leak. This process speeds up near the ocean because of the salt water in the air. The good news is that we use bonderized or galvanized steel, which has a coating that prolongs the damage, and you can patch up a connection a few times before a whole section will need to be replaced. Also, if you are farther from the ocean, it will take longer for the corrosion to take place.So if you’re looking at the short term, it won’t be a big deal, but years down the line, mixing your metals can prove annoying and costly. It’s best to stick to one type of material in your gutter system if you can.

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Rain Gutters in Los Angeles

It’s time to face facts: your homes need rain gutters, Los Angeles. If you have any intention of properly maintaining your house, having well cared for rain gutters is simply a necessity. The headaches that properly functioning gutters can prevent — and the problems that can occur if they are gunked up, leaking, or simply not present — are myriad and 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, Los Angeles, 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. Water around your foundation can also seep under your floors, which can cause rugs to start molding from the bottom up, wooden floors to warp, and can cause electrical damage. Such 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 rain gutters, LA. There are lots of options on the market, ranging from the traditional aluminum and plastic to beautiful copper gutters and galvanized steel as well. All of them work about as well, so pick the material that best compliments your home’s aesthetics.

Once installed, you must keep your gutters clean. Gutter guards 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 several 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.

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Rain Chains

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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Styles of Rain Gutters explained

Rain gutters come in different shapes, or styles. For reference check out our products tab. The two most commonly used are K-Style (also referred to as OGEE) and Half-Round, both of which can be fabricated without seams. We also offer Box style Gutters which have become very popular in recent years.

What are the differences?

K-Style or OGEE gutters (“Ogee” is an architectural term for a form that goes from small to large) are arguably the most popular type of gutter installed today. When you look at a K-Style gutter straight on, they have an appearance on your roofline that resembles the shape of crown molding. Their attractive shape and reasonable price makes them appealing to homeowners. They are highly effective, and can hold more water than a half round style gutter with the equivalent diameter. They can be made of different materials as well, such as seamless aluminum, steel, and copper. The downspouts on K-Style gutters are often rectangular. K-Styles are ideal for applications where a flat fascia has been installed. For slanted or angled fascia, brackets are applied so that the gutter hangs securely at the correct angle.

Half Round gutters look like a half-circle, hence the name. The half-round profile goes with virtually any style of home architecture. They can also be made with different materials; such as copper, steel, or aluminum. Half-round gutters are most commonly used in southern California on spanish style homes. They’re often used on custom homes as well, 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, and they are usually paired with a matching round downspout. The half-round design is sometimes easier to clean because the surface is smooth, and there are no corners or creases for dirt or debris to become lodged.

There are Box style profiles also available (including Fascia and M-style). Box gutter is a perfect fit for modern architecture. This minimalist style (literally a box) can be fabricated in the M-style, flat on all sides, or with a small box trim at the top of the gutter profile. The trim helps to add rigidity to the gutter and keeps the face of the gutters from looking wavy. We can manufacture this style in virtually any size. These gutters are typically paired with smooth downspouts. If considering this style we recommend using steel or copper so that the gutter seams and custom cut downspouts can be soldered together. The Fascia profiles are designed to look like fascia boards, giving the appearance that your home doesn’t have gutters, yet still providing protection from water damage.

Whichever style you choose, Prestigious Raingutters can make sure your gutters are properly installed protecting your home from water damage. Call us for a free estimate.

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Don’t overlook the necessity of Rain Gutters!

Don’t overlook rain gutters, Los Angeles. They’re one of the most important features on your home! You hardly think about them until you need them, and if something’s wrong, a heavy rain storm is NOT the time to realize your gutters need repairs!

Without properly functioning gutters, water runoff can damage almost every part of the outside of your home, but that’s just the beginning. New paint, new stucco, new fascia boards… all costly!
But water that runs down the outside of your home doesn’t stop there! It pools 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!

Fortunately, we have gutters! They will take all that water and usher it safely to where it belongs and won’t be a hazard to your home. Gutters are a relatively inexpensive investment for all the good the do. They can help add value to your home and in some cases, curb appeal too! They come in several materials and styles, so you can choose what’s best for your home and your budget.

Once they’re installed and working properly, be sure you maintain your gutters by cleaning them (or hiring a company to do so) at least once a year, sometimes more if you have a lot of trees over your gutters. There are also gutter screens you can purchase to help keep debris out of your gutters if trees are an issue for you.

Give us a call, we have over 25 years of experience in installing and maintaining rain gutters. We will give you a free estimate! 800-993-1193

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Rain Gutter Screens

Any building owner can relate to the importance of having the proper gutter protection around their structure. This is available in gutter screens. These units are designed to prevent leaves and other debris from accumulating in the canal and backing up water. This problem is common where there are overhanging trees or other foliage which drops sticks and leaves onto the roof.
When the gutters are not adequately protected from debris accumulation, serious damage to the structure can result. This can be in the form of rotted wood, fungus growth and the units being torn from their fastening. In addition, water can seep down the building and damage the foundation or leak into the attic. These kinds of damages can result in a very expensive repair bill.
Installing over-sized canals and downspouts is one method people have tried, in order to solve the debris accumulation problem. This consisted of a 3″ x 4″ downspout and a 6″ gutter. However, they soon found that these, too, had to have debris protection. When screens are added, a safeguard is provided, regardless of unit size.

This type of protection eliminates the problems incurred when trying to clean these units by hand. Manual cleaning can be dangerous. Many people have been injured while trying to accomplish this task. This protection also stops the accumulation of organic materials which can attract insects, birds, and even squirrels that can cause further damage. Animals have been known to live in gutters, causing blockage, scratches, holes, and the excess weight can cause your gutters to pull away from the roof. The worst case scenario is that they fall, which could cause serious injury.
Screens will save you time and money when doing your gutter cleaning and maintenance. It will prove to be a valuable investment for your home.
If you would like to install screens to your gutter system, call us at Prestigious Raingutters. We offer competitive pricing and will be sure that your screens are installed properly.

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Don’t Seal those Seams, Eliminate them.

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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Aluminum Rain Gutter Life Span

In the last 20 or so years, aluminum gutters have become all the rage. But they are so light-weight and thin, how long can they really last? Everyone knows that steel and copper gutters last for decades! There are many homes built in the 20s that still have their original, functioning steel and/or copper gutters. So why should I consider aluminum over the tried & true steel or copper gutters I’m accustomed to?

There are many advantages of using aluminum rain gutters. First and foremost – lack of seams! Aluminum gutters can be made seamlessly. A coil of material is placed into a special machine which extrudes the rain gutter to the exact length you need! Other types of material typically come in 10 foot sections which then need to be connected to eachother. A 40 foot section of roof line might have 3 seams in it, which need to be sealed or soldered. These joins are usually the first places which begin to leak over time. But using aluminum, the entire 40 foot length would be one continuous piece, eliminating such concerns.
Another advantage – color! Steel gutters look like… steel. If you want them to match your house or your trim, you will need to paint them. However, aluminum gutters come in a wide variety of colors! The gutters we use at Prestigious Raingutters have a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer against chipping or flaking. Steel gutters will most likely need to be repainted at some point in their life span, whereas aluminum gutters will hold their color.
And with the economy the way it is, the biggest advantage aluminum can offer to some people – PRICE! The cost of aluminum is significantly less than other types of materials.
But are they able to stand up to the test of time? Yes! Aluminum doesn’t rust the way steel does, and with proper maintenance, aluminum gutters can last just as long as steel or copper.

What’s proper maintenance, you ask? Well… Aluminum is a light-weight material, therefore it is slightly easier to ding and dent than a heavy steel gutter, so be careful when leaning ladders against them or doing anything else than might put pressure on them. Keep other metals from coming into contact with your aluminum gutters. Especially if you are very close to the salty ocean air, because this speeds up electrolysis. Most importantly, keep your gutters clean! Debris clogging your gutters not only decreases their functionality, but it also can damage the gutters themselves, so be sure to clean them out at least once a year – the optimum time for this is right at the end of summer before the first fall rains begin. Adding screens to your gutters can help keep debris out, but it is not an excuse to stop cleaning them entirely. If you do these things, there’s no reason your gutters won’t be able to last you decades.

At Prestigious Raingutters, we have over 25 years of experience installing and maintaining seamless aluminum gutters in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Give us a call for a free estimate! 800-993-1193

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