What Are The Benefits Of Installing Gutter Guards?
Eliminating the chore of having to clean out an eavestrough alone has mad gutter guards extremely popular among homeowners across Canada. A gutter guard is a piece of hardware that covers the opening above your gutter and therefore preventing anything other than water from falling into your eavestrough. A gutter guards installation prevents debris from falling into your gutters, virtually eliminates regular cleaning and stops potential animal infestation.
Gutter guards are available in different styles, materials and designs including aluminum, vinyl, steel, copper, and PVC. However, the benefits remain the same, as long as they are installed and operating correctly.
The benefits of installing a gutter guard at your home are numerous, we review them below:
Saves Time And Money On Maintenance
Dirt, dried leaves and branches amongst other things can accumulate in your eavestrough, thereby leading to clogs and obstructing water flow. To prevent this from happening, we must regularly spend time and energy cleaning our gutters. Some homeowners that do not want to complete the task themselves hire professionals to help with cleaning their gutters seasonally. This regular maintenance takes up valuable time and money. But, with gutter guards, you won't need to worry about seasonal cleaning as the guards prevent debris, branches, and dried leaves from entering your gutters.
Improved Gutter And Roof Lifespan
Your gutters and roof are at the mercy of wear and tear including corrosion and potential mold growth, especially if you have dirt and debris creating a mini dam and blocking the flow of water. Corrosion and rust can cause lots of damage, leaving you with more expenses in the long run. Also, mold that starts off by growing on the debris in your gutter can spread to your roof, thereby reducing its lifespan as well.
Prevents Pest Infestation
Infestations are a menace to any home. A small insect infestation is enough to drive you out of your home for an entire week. Squirrels and raccoons can use your eavestrough system as a roadway to get around your home and other animals like birds can turn your gutters into a nesting area, which will invite other animals and insects. These insects can find their way inside your homes and cause havoc. Invest in gutter guards installation will block these pests from easily accessing your gutters for their own use.
Fire Protection
Dried leaves and debris are fuel for a potential fire outbreak. Without a gutter guard, dried leaves can remain in your gutter, clogging it up and patiently waiting to accelerate leading to a fire outbreak. Now, that sounds far-fetched, but the possibility is real. Gutter guards make sure your gutters are free of such debris that can catch fire, thereby reducing any risk of a fire outbreak in this manner.
Improved Water Flow
The absence of debris, dried leaves, twigs, and nests enables water to flow better through your eavestrough and down away from your home as intended, eliminating the dangers of water damage from excess water standing around your home.
How Do I Fix a Drafty Door?
A door that doesn’t seal completely, not only creates uneven temperatures in your home, it also can cause your energy bills to spike as your HVAC system works harder to maintain your home’s internal temperature. A draft that pass in around your doors can be a result of wear and tear, damage to the frame, weather stripping, or door, or poor installation. While drafts are more commonly seen around older doors, it is possible that even newer doors can be drafty. In some cases, the issue can be corrected and the draft can be stopped, in other cases the only option is for a full door replacement.
Here are several common issues that can lead to a draft entering your home, and how to fix these issues.
Worn Out Weather Stripping
Your weather stripping helps ensure a solid seal between your door and the frame. When the weather stripping has worn out or is damaged, it is no longer able to provide an airtight seal. Replacing your old weather stripping is a quick, easy, and fairly inexpensive way to stop drafts. If your current door doesn’t have weather stripping, installing stripping will definitely help to stop or reduce drafts.
Replacing the Sweeps
Door sweeps block gaps that exist at the bottom of your door. These gaps are a gateway for drafts, and blocking them will solve many draft issues that come from that area. Door sweeps also add an aesthetic quality to any home. You can replace your door sweep with ones that provide an added pop or that match your home design.
Adding Foam Tape
Foam tape, like weather stripping will help seal any gaps around your door. Installing foam tape is simple and inexpensive. Just make sure it is applied in the proper area to help stop drafts.
Use a Door Snake
Door snakes are essentially draft stoppers for the bottom of your door, think of a thin long bean bag. They cover the space between the door and threshold. Having your door snake flush against your door will block any draft from entering from under your door.
Cracked Caulk Around Your Door
If the caulking around your door frame is cracked or peeling, it most definitely allowing for air to flow through the spaces. Re-caulking your door will be an effective way of fixing a drafty door. All you need is a tube of exterior caulking to replace your old caulking once you have removed your old, damaged caulking.
Door Hinges Have Loosened
Over time it is possible for the hinges on your door to loosen. If this occurs, your door will no longer be square to the frame. This may cause your door to rub against the frame or even the floor when opening and closing, it can also lead to gaps between your frame and your door. Tightening the screws or if needed replacing the old screws with longer ones will secure your door back in place, and may allow for your door to once again seal properly.
Hopefully the above tips will help eliminate your draft issues. If, however your draft is due to a damaged door or frame you may not have the option of repairing the issue. Consult with a professional door specialist to review your options.