Is the Zip Hinge a Good Investment? August 05 2014 243 Comments

Is the Zip Hinge a good and practical investment? Before we address the question you must understand the benefits of having one on your home. 

The purpose of the Zip Hinge

1. The Zip Hinge assures your downspout extension is firmly attached to your gutter system so it can protect your home's foundation and landscaping.

2. The Zip Hinge provides you the ability to move your downspout extension to a upright vertical position. Great when doing yard work; gardening, mowing, edging, landscaping, mulching, shoveling, and everything in between.

Installation

The Zip Hinge takes 1-2 minutes at most for a novice to install. It's a easy DIY project!

Common Installation & Repair Costs

Professional rehab or repair estimates for cleaning a flooded basement range anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000 and up. The real problem is that most homeowners’ insurance will only cover disasters, and typically will not cover damage occurring from failure to perform routine maintenance.

*National Average for Installation and/or Repair of the Following:

Foundation Repair $4479
Patio or Pathway Repair $1565
Mold Removal $2000-$4000
Lawn Re-sloping $1940
Install Landscaping $3966
Install Sod $2023
Install Turf $4768
Install Drain $3737
Install Turf $4768
Install Lanscape Curbing $1405
Deliver Soil, Mulch or Rocks $866

National Average Fuel Costs and Rising 

Regular Grade $3.64~

Mid Grade $3.83~

Premium Grade $4.01~

Diesel $3.93~

Your Replacement Costs

Box Store Downspout Replacement Cost 

Downspout Extension Replacement Cost

• 2x3 $8.87 per piece
• 3x4 $12.56 per piece
• PVC $5.96 - $11.87 per piece

Your Personal Cost Formula to Repair Downspout (minus the Zip Hinge)

+ Fuel Cost

+ Big Box Store Cost - Downspout Replacement

+ Accessories

+ Tools

+ Your Free Time (x)

Your Total Cost = x

Zip Hinge Cost Formula

+ ZipHinge

+ Your Time

+ Free Shipping

- Gas

- Downspout Replacement

Your Total Cost = X

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions.

Why You Should Get a Zip Hinge Today! August 03 2014 6800 Comments

The video below shows why you should consider installing the Zip Hinge on your home. Check out the video and let me know what you think?!?! Thanks for your time!!!

Importance of Gutter Guards July 11 2014 1174 Comments

Importance of Gutter Guards

Your home’s gutter system is important because it collects water from the roof and channels it safely away from the home. Without a gutter system installed water can damage your home’s foundation, landscaping and even worse leak through roofing shingles and damage the roof structure. This scenario has the potential to rot substructures as well as promote mold growth.

Gutters tend to get clogged from buildup of various types of debris; sticks, twigs, leaves and so on. Due to this homeowner’s should routinely clean their gutters to ensure they are clear of obstructions. 

Gutter guards are important in the prevention of clogs and buildup.  They allow water to flow through the gutters while keeping debris out.  There are hundreds of types of gutter guards on the market but not every one works correctly.  You must understand how each system works, the upsides and the downsides so you choose the best one for your home.

 Gutter Guard Types

For the most part there are three major types: inserts, screens and toppers.

Inserts

Inserts are the most cost effective option and the easiest to install, no skills or tools required. Inserts are placed in to your gutters. They are typically made out of a foam, wire mesh and have a porous like quality to them. The downside is that they will need to be routinely cleaned because they accumulate small debris that build up over time.

Screens

Screens are the most commonly used form of gutter protection. They cover your existing gutter with a wire like membrane that allows water to pass through while blocking debris. Like all gutter guards, screens will need to be removed and cleaned routinely as well. Screens vary in cost and installation expense. Most can be installed easily by a homeowner but more advanced products will require professional installation.

Toppers

Gutter toppers are more expensive but they work well, they should be installed by a professional to ensure they perform. They have a curvature shape and create a helmet like protection over the gutter. They divert water over and around in to a small slit between the gutter and the topper. Most toppers require maintenance like all gutter guards. The downside is that when heavy rains occur they have issues collecting and channeling excess water in to the gutters.

3 Simple DIY Steps For Installing The Zip Hinge July 08 2014 82 Comments

 

Installing the Zip Hinge is so easy anyone can do it, no skills required!  Installation takes 1-2 minutes max. Easy and cost effective!

For a step by step tutorial check out the video below.

Importance of a Home's Gutter System July 02 2014 59 Comments

 

Having a gutter system properly installed on your home is critical.

The function of a gutter system is to help control rainwater flow from your home's roof to the ground. It prevents damage to your home's exterior and surrounds, soil erosion, landscaping, foundation and substructure.

It’s important to keep your gutters in good shape and free of clogs, leaves and other debris that may interrupt the flow of excess roof runoff, i.e. melted snow and rainwater.

Maintenance & Repair

As time passes and seasons change leaves, ice, snow, rainwater, tree branches and so on can cause your gutters to get damaged, that's why gutter maintenance is crucial. Buildup creates extra weight which pulls the gutters away from your home’s fascia boards. With accumulation of debris buildup it can cause water to leak into your home. This usually will manifest in your attic or between the siding of your home, possible mold growth.

The ideal time to check your gutters for damage is in the spring and summer seasons and after a heavy storm. After a storm is a great time to assess whether water diversion and water flow is moving in the right manor. Circle your home and see where the flow is and where the flow is stopped by leaves and debris.

If your gutters have pulled away from the home it may be as easy as fastening them back into place.

If you are unable to repair them yourself then your best option would be to seek a qualified contractor to repair or replace your gutter system.

Replacing Gutters

Gutters are available in the following materials; vinyl, steel, aluminum, and copper-each carry their own pros and cons

Vinyl Gutters

Pro:

• Won’t chip or dent
• Easy and lightweight
• Cheap

Con:

• Will expand and contract in extreme cold and hot temperatures and possibly crack

Bottom Line: Not a great option and lacks quality.

 

Steel Gutters 

Pro:

• Sturdy and will support a lot of weight with minimum damage
• Relatively inexpensive

Con:

• Requires maintenance
• Will rust with improper drainage

Bottom Line: Decent option but not the best due to maintenance.

 

Aluminum Gutters

Pro:

• Won’t rust
• Seamless
• Affordable

Con:

• Can dent and bend with extra weight, high winds and falling debris.

Bottom Line: Best most practical option.

 

Copper Gutters

Pro:

• Attractive, beautiful and durable
• 70+ year life span
• Will oxidize and turn attractive green color

Con:

• A target for thieves
• Extremely expensive

Bottom Line: Expensive and not budget friendly but look unbelievably impressive and carry great curb appeal.

 

For more info check out the article "Gauging Gutters" on "This Old House."

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for your time!