Prepare Your Home For Winter With These Tips
It’s time to prepare your home for cold weather. Following these home improvement steps will help make your home cozier and more affordable when the temperatures drop.
The Most Rewarding Fall Home Improvement Projects
Fall is one of the most charming seasons filled with apple-picking, pumpkin spice-flavored everything, and gorgeous autumn scenery. It’s also one of the best seasons for tackling home improvement projects. With the humidity and hot weather of summer tapering off, now is the perfect time to get
outside and work on the exterior of your home. Besides the favorable weather, fall is also a good time to hire a contractor for home improvements, as they typically aren’t as busy during this time of year.
All About Gutter Systems (INFOGRAPHIC)
A gutter system is an important part of any home! With LeafGuard gutters, you’re getting the best rain protection system around, keeping water damage at bay to preserve your home’s foundation and exterior. The infographic below explains the advantages of a LeafGuard gutter system for your home!
How to Prevent Leaf-Related Issues This Fall
Fall foliage is one of the most beautiful things about the autumn season. Colorful leaves speckle the ground and make great piles for the kids to play in. But, while they may be pretty to look at, leaves can cause a number of problems for your home. Here are some leaf-related concerns you should look out for this fall.
Gutter issues
Leaves are the number one problem when it comes to gutters. Falling leaves can accumulate quickly in open gutters, causing water to back up and water damage issues to escalate. Be sure to inspect your gutters regularly to ensure water is flowing freely and being directed away from your house.
If clogged gutters are a regular occurrence for you, consider having a LeafGuard® gutter system installed. Thanks to its built-in hood which covers the top of the gutter, it keeps leaves out while letting water pass through, making gutter cleaning a distant memory. Plus, LeafGuard is guaranteed not to clog, or they’ll be cleaned for free!
Slipping hazards
Leaves that do make it to the ground can pose a slipping hazard, especially if they are wet. Be cautious of leaf-covered sidewalks or pavement. Raking or blowing these areas regularly will help prevent any unnecessary accidents from occurring.
Pest problems
As you’re raking and collecting leaves this fall, be sure not to leave the piles sitting around. Pests, like beetles, mites, and termites, are attracted to leaf litter and often make their homes in piles of dead leaves. These are not animals you want taking up residence near your home! Properly disposing of leaf piles will help prevent possible headaches for you down the road.
How LeafGuard Gutters Are Custom Fit To Your Home
With a LeafGuard gutter system, you’re getting the best rain protection system around, keeping water damage at bay to preserve your home’s foundation and exterior. LeafGuard gutters are set apart due to their seamless design.
What does seamless mean?
LeafGuard gutters are roll-formed from one continuous piece of aluminum. We create your LeafGuard gutter system on site thanks to our factory on wheels. This allows us to cut aluminum into custom lengths that are a perfect fit for your home. The on-site machine forms a single sheet of flat metal into an extra wide gutter that is perfectly arched. The cover is actually part of the gutter itself and not an add-on. This particular feature is important to the gutter as it produces an effect called liquid adhesion. Liquids, like water, cling to the surfaces they
This particular feature is important to the gutter as it produces an effect called liquid adhesion. Liquids, like water, cling to the surfaces they travel across, passing along the curved hood into the gutter. Debris such as leaves and pine needles are solid and do not cling to the surfaces they travel across. This means debris rolls right off the gutter system, keeping your gutters clog free.
These durable gutters are made from aluminum that is 20% thicker than the industry standard for gutters. Your seamless gutters also come with ScratchGuard paint finish for gutters that will never crack, chip or peel. On top of that, ScratchGuard finish is backed by a warranty for the life of your gutter.
LeafGuard is the only seamless, one-piece leaf protection system available on the market today. It’s custom-fit not only improves function for your property but also aesthetics and curb appeal.
5 Reasons to Remodel the Exterior of Your Home
The exterior of your home is arguably just as important as the interior. It sets the first impression of your home since it is the first thing friends, neighbors, and guests see. It’s also one of the leading contributors to curb appeal when it comes to the value of your home.
There are many ways that you can transform your home’s exterior, but the good news is that remodeling doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive. A few minor improvements like the ones we’ve listed below can go a long ways towards the value, look, and appeal of your home.
1. New siding is one of the best ways to improve home value.
The National Association of Realtor’s website, Houselogic, reported that the best choices for improving home value are through exterior projects, like siding replacement. As the outer shell of your home, siding not only adds to your property’s curb appeal but it also helps to improve energy costs.
2. LeafGuard gutters remove the headaches of maintenance.
Cleaning gutters twice a year is assumed to be one of the unavoidable chores of homeownership. Thanks to LeafGuard, you’ll never have to clean gutters again! Their one-piece gutter solution offers the best rain protection system around, keeping your home’s foundation and exterior safe from water damage. They also incorporate a seamless design that will boost curb appeal for your home, allowing you to enjoy both improved aesthetics and function for your property.
3. Replacement roofing is appealing to buyers.
If you’re thinking of selling your home, a replacement roof will up your home’s curb appeal factor tremendously and make it much more appealing to potential buyers. Is your roof missing shingles, streaked with stains, or leaking? Replacement roofing not only protects your home, but can also improve the aesthetic appeal.
4. Replacement windows improve energy efficiency of your home.
New windows may not be on the top of your home improvement list, but they are one of the single most important factors when it comes to making your home more energy efficient. On top of that, they can yield up to a 73% return on investment if you ever choose to sell your home!
5. A new front door instantly transforms the look of your home.
A replacement door is one of the quickest, easiest ways to give your home’s exterior a major boost. They offer timeless style and incredible energy savings to improve the function and look of your home.
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
The temperatures are rising, daylight is lasting longer, and we’re all anxious to get outside more. Spring is just around the corner, which means there’s no better time to start home maintenance chores than right now!
Too often, homeowners wait until a problem can no longer be ignored before addressing it. Unfortunately, with hot weather on the way, many home contractors are already booked by that time. We recommend getting a jump-start on inspecting your home for spring so you can make the necessary changes and repairs now and enjoy your free time later!
Take some time to inspect these aspects of your home this spring:
Gutters
Your gutters and downspouts work hard during the spring. If they’re clogged with leaves and debris, they can cause rainwater to back up, potentially leading to wood rot and pest infestation. Instead of spending hours cleaning out your gutters this spring, install LeafGuard gutters that come with a debris-shielding hood and never have to be cleaned. At Exterior Source, we custom make each LeafGuard gutter system to fit the look and feel of your home. Not only will your home look better, but also you’ll never have to worry about clogged gutters again!
Termites
Termites get busy in the spring! It’s always a good idea to inspect the woodwork around your home for any existing damage or signs of termites at work. By spotting them quickly and having it professionally treated, you’ll save yourself lots of money and headache in the long run.
Roof
Winter can have a heavy toll on your roof. As spring approaches, take some time to visually inspect your home’s roof for missing shingles, storm damage, or anything that simply doesn’t look right. If you’d prefer to have a more in-depth inspection done, call a certified roofer to take a closer look.
Air Conditioning
The start of summer is when many homeowners switch on their air conditioning only to realize there’s a problem. Schedule your air conditioning maintenance in the spring and beat the rush! Once the hot Virginia weather arrives, you’ll be glad you did.
Siding
Inspect your siding for any signs of damage or water stains that emerged over the winter. Damaged siding can greatly affect the efficiency of your home and shouldn’t be ignored. The good news is it can easily be fixed through vinyl siding replacement or repair.
Windows
The seals around your window are the first line of defense against air infiltration. Check the windows of your home for air leakage and seal damage. You may want to consider vinyl replacement windows to increase your home’s energy efficiency factor.
Doors
Nothing says spring like a fresh, new entry or patio door. Spruce up your home’s exterior this spring with stunning replacement doors by ProVia and greet your guests with the finest craftsmanship available. Best of all, ProVia doors are Energy Star compliant and NFRC certified, which means they not only offer security and performance, but they also come with expert installations and lifetime warranties.
The Dangers of Cleaning Gutters
With spring showers just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about your gutters. Without a gutter guard, the gutters on your home require regular cleaning to prevent clogging and rainwater back-ups. Unfortunately, what seems like a routine chore can also be an extremely dangerous one.
These following are some of the most common dangers associated with cleaning gutters:
- Ladder Injuries
Did you know that more than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment every year due to ladder-related injuries?
Using ladders at home – especially to clean gutters – is a major contributor. While useful in some instances, ladders can be extremely finicky – just one misstep can lead to a fall and injury. They are cumbersome to store and can become damaged over time without proper maintenance.
- Dizziness Issues
The dangers involved in climbing ladders to clean gutters only increases with age. Even a perfectly healthy person can be affected by dizziness or vertigo when working at high heights. Stretching for hard-to-reach places can also cause unbalance, leading to falls and injuries.
- Electrical Wiring
Coming in contact with electrical wiring while working on the roof of your home can be extremely dangerous. In some cases, power lines come very close to the roof and may even connect to the roof in certain places. This can present several safety hazards when cleaning out your gutters.
The best way to prevent you, or your spouse, from being injured while cleaning gutters is to stop cleaning them altogether! That’s where we come in – we’ve installed LeafGuard gutter systems for homeowners throughout the Tidewater and Central Virginia area since 1993.
The LeafGuard one-piece seamless construction is designed to keep debris, such as pine needles, leaves and acorns out, while allowing rain water to travel through the gutter’s trough. The innovative design is backed up by a clog free guarantee – you’ll have free flowing gutters, or we’ll clean them for free! You’ll never have to climb a ladder to clean gutters again!
Learn more about LeafGuard gutters on our website or fill out the form to get a free, no obligation quote for your home!
3 Reasons to Invest In a LeafGuard Gutter System
A gutter is a gutter, right? Well…not so fast. All gutters are installed for the same purpose (to channel water away from your home’s foundation), but different factors can prevent them from performing their job efficiently.
One such problem is the buildup of leaves inside your gutters. As leaves and other debris land on your roof and slide down into your gutters, they get stuck and build up over time. Unless you are constantly climbing a ladder to clean out the gutters, it’s unavoidable that eventually the water flow will become blocked and the gutters will no longer be performing their job properly.
Sounds like a true hassle, right?
Luckily, that’s where covered gutter systems like LeafGuard come in.
Debris Shedding Hood
Unlike traditional gutters, LeafGuard systems come with a leaf and debris shedding hood, specifically designed to prevent hassles like described above. A large gutter bottom routes the rainwater away from your home, while the seamless hood prevents leaves and debris from impeding the flow.
Seamless Construction
LeafGuard gutters are designed to be a one-piece, seamless solution. Other gutter systems need to be welded or soldered together. Over time, these seams can become stressed due to constant exposure to water and fluctuating temperatures and will eventually break if they’re not repaired regularly. LeafGuard’s one-piece design is a sleek addition to your home with no bulky, unattractive add-ons and no seams!
No Roof Warranty Violations
Two-piece gutter systems often require additional nail holes into your roof. Over time, water can seep into those nail holes causing you lots of roof headaches. Even worse, the nail holes in your roof can sometimes be a roof warranty violation! It’s just not worth it to mess with the safety and durability of your roof. LeafGuard systems are screwed to the fascia board with internal hanging brackets, eliminating the potential for leaks or roof damage.
A LeafGuard gutter system is a wise investment when it comes to safeguarding your home against clogged gutters and potential water damage. Not only are LeafGuard systems patented and unique in their design, but they’ve also earned the Good Housekeeping Seal for their unwavering quality.
Quit climbing dangerous ladders to clean your gutters! Contact our team today for a free, no-obligation quote & go maintenance-free with LeafGuard.
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
It’s that time of year again! Pumpkin spice lattes have made their grand arrivals, Halloween decorations are appearing in stores, and there’s a subtle hint of cooler weather on the horizon. While most people are thinking about pumpkin patches and scented candles, our thoughts always turn towards our homes this time of year. As a premier Virginia remodeler, we believe your house should be your haven, especially during the cooler months. By properly preparing your home now, you can ensure the upcoming season will be enjoyable and relaxing!
Here are a few things to inspect around your home this fall:
Windows
Fall bring colder weather that can seep into window cracks, cooling your house and ruining your energy bill. Most home contractors recommend re-caulking your windows if there are cracks the width of a nickel. If you’re tired of fighting drafty windows and high energy bills, it may be time to consider replacement windows that come with a full Lifetime Warranty. We recommend Elements windows to our customers since they are Energy Star certified, made in America, and have the highest energy efficiency ratings of any window!
Heating System
It’s easy to put off a heating system inspection, especially when the weather is still warm. However, it’s better to check it out now than be the 200th person in line on the first cold day of the year. A local HVAC technician can inspect your furnace or heat pump to ensure everything is working properly and ready for the cold weather ahead.
Gutters
They don’t call it “fall” for nothing. Leaves will soon be falling from the trees, which means you and your gutters will be spending some quality time together…. unless, you invest in a LeafGuard gutter system beforehand! LeafGuard gutters are a one-piece aluminum gutter system with a sleek hood that prevents falling debris and leaves from clogging up your gutters. Each LeafGuard gutter system is custom fit to your home and comes with a life-long clog-free guarantee so you can Get it. And forget it.
Roof
Inspecting your roof for warning signs and repairing them now can give you peace-of-mind during the upcoming seasons. Look for buckled or missing shingles, cracks, leaks, and/or dark spots that could turn into potential problems down the road. As a GAF Master Elite Roofer for Virginia, we’ve seen our fair share of damaged roofs. Before you pay for a replacement roof, call us for a free in-home consultation. Our trained experts will give you an honest assessment on the condition of your roof, so you can make an informed decision.
Trees and Landscaping
Fall is the best time to trim back trees and bushes around your home now that their summer growth cycle is over. Keeping limbs and branches at least 3 feet away from your home’s exterior will help prevent moisture from dripping onto your home’s roofing or siding, causing ugly stains and potential water damage. It will ensure that falling limbs or trees don’t damage your home’s exterior during the winter months.
How Old Gutters Affect Your Home
While some things get better with age, most gutters do not. Their primary function is to redirect water away from your home, foundation, and landscaping, but with time and age they may not be able to handle continuous downpours. Once your gutters aren’t functioning properly, it’s only a matter of time before they negatively impact your home.
Old gutters are often prone to leaks which means rainwater can run down the side of your house, damaging siding and paint, seeping into cracks, and causing the foundation to erode. And that’s just potential exterior damage. Once water is misdirected, it can quickly find its way into the interior of your home, flooding your basement and prompting mold growth and insect infestation.
In addition, old gutters can detract from the beauty of your home, affecting the curb appeal and market value. The misdirected water can wreak havoc on landscaping, creating puddles and canals in your lawn and hurting plants and bushes.
Without proper installation or maintenance, what started out as a benefit to your home can quickly turn into a homeowner’s nightmare. While it may be tempting to keep gutters as long as you possibly can, the costly damage from old gutters is not worth the risk.
If you’re in the market for new gutters, check out our website to learn why we recommend LeafGuard’s seamless, one-piece leaf protection systems to our customers. Say good-bye to old gutters and hello to maintenance-free protection!
