Month: July 2013

Don’t Trust Just Anyone With Your Home Maintenance!

GutterMaid knows that most people do not consider cleaning their gutters a top priority. It is perceived as an inconvenience and most people want to have their gutters cleaned as cheaply as possible. After-all, anyone with a tall ladder can clean gutters…Right?  Handymen, landscapers, and the boy next door may offer to clean your gutters but what are you really paying for? The fact is that your gutters are high above the ground where you cant see them. How do you know they were cleaned correctly? Were the downspouts checked and cleared of debris as well? The landscaper you hired may be insured but is he insured to work on tall ladders?

You wouldn’t hire us here at GutterMaid to paint your house, or pave your driveway, so why hire someone else for you gutter cleaning service needs? We ARE the professionals when it comes to cleaning gutters. We know how to complete the job safely and efficiently.

Recently we performed a gutter cleaning service in Bethesda, MD. This homeowner was having their gutters cleaned regularly and even had a leaf protection system installed. As you can see by the pictures below the downspouts were completely neglected even when the gutter screens were installed. We immediately found the issue and because we carry the necessary tools, we were able to disassemble the downspout and clear the debris.  Don’t continue to pay for someone you hope is doing the job right. Trust the professionals here at GutterMaid. Its our business to provide you with the best, most affordable gutter cleaning service available!

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda, MD

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda, MD

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda, MD

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda, MD

Garden Gutters

Can you see small trees and bushes growing in your gutter?  While some people may find this aesthetically pleasing we strongly suggest keeping the foliage in your landscaping where it belongs.  Gutters that have enough debris in  them to support a small echo-system have probably been clogged and non-functional for a long period of time.  Clogged gutters and downspouts can and will lead to damage of your home’s exterior, landscaping, and in some instances can find its way inside your house. You will most likely not notice this damage until you have accumulated thousands of dollars in damages!

But GutterMaid, Its going to cost a small fortune at this point to have my gutters cleaned! Not necessarily. We recently  completed this  gutter cleaning in Bethesda MD (pics below). All gutters and downspouts on this mid-sized single family home were cleaned and cleared in less than an hour, costing this customer only $100. At that price you cant afford not to clean your gutters!

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda MD Before

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda MD Before

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda MD After

Gutter Cleaning Bethesda MD After

What is a Drip Edge?

Drip edge is an L shaped piece of metal that is installed at the edge (eave) of your roof. It should extend from the roof decking down into your gutters. Its purpose is to direct water away from your fascia and rake boards, and into your gutters where applicable. It can also help prevent water damage due to ice damming during the winter months.

Unfortunately, roofs are often installed without a drip edge or the gutters are installed over top of the drip edge, rendering it useless.  Water that finds its way behind your gutters will eventually damage your fascia, rafter ends, soffit, etc., and can lead to thousands of dollars in damages.

Does your roof have a properly installed drip edge? There are signs that may indicate missing or improperly installed drip edge that you can look for without having to go up on your roof. When it rains, look for water that comes down in-between your gutters and your fascia. Often times you will see streaking or staining on your fascia just below your gutters, and sometimes you can even see small debris that has worked its way behind your gutters. If you see any of these signs, we recommend that you call a roofer to evaluate your roof and give you an estimate to install a drip edge if needed. Ask to see pictures so you can get a full understanding of whats going on with your roof.

Catching an issue early such as this will save you a lot of money in the long run. GutterMaid trains our employees to look for these types of issues and report back any noted problems as a courtesy to our customers.

Drip Edge

Drip Edge