SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE - TOP TO BOTTOM
THE FLOWERS ARE OUT, SUNNY DAYS ARE HERE AND NOW YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT DOING HOME MAINTENANCE. Top to Bottom is the way to go......
To help you cover all the bases, we’ve come up with a handy spring-maintenance checklist. Consult it every year and your home will thank you.
- Inspect Brickwork and Stucco - Spalling is a chipping or popping away of a brick’s face, leaving the brick’s interior susceptible to moisture and crumbling. Look for this and any deteriorated mortar that typically occurs on older homes.
2. Replace Rotted Siding or Trim, and Repaint as Necessary - Repainting siding or trim is often more than a one-weekend project. For color consistency, you just can’t just touch it up—you need to paint a whole section.
If you live in a place where there’s a lot of freezing and thawing, gutters will expand and contract, so make sure they’re flush to the roof, with no sags or dips. When scheduling your gutter cleaning ask to have us check for repairs. You may need to have your gutters re-secured. 4. Inspect Your Roof - Shingles that curl (turn up) and claw (turn down) can make your roof inefficient and susceptible to leaks. Call a minimum of three roofers before committing to one for repairs. You’ll educate yourself in the process and end up with a better deal.
5. Get a Chimney Checkup - Have a professional chimney sweep clean and inspect your active or decorative chimney. Professionals should also check the chimney flue and cap for cracks or leaking. 6. Check Your Heat/Air Unit; Change Batteries in Detectors - Change filters and clean the air purifier as needed. - Have your ducts professionally cleaned. It’ll make your indoor air quality healthier and your furnace more efficient.
7. Prune Landscaping and Create Good Drainage - Shrubs and landscaping help against soil erosion and should be planted to form a negative grade, which means water will flow away from the house. 8. Give Concrete a Little TLC - Seal and inspect asphalt or concrete driveways. Most of us put off sealing driveways until the fall, but the spring is an ideal time to do it. The sealer you use, the driveway material and climate will affect how often you need to seal your driveway. - Power-wash concrete patios, and inspect decks for rotting wood and secure railings. Seal both if necessary. 9. Don't Forget the Sump Pump - Make sure the sump pump is operating correctly, and install a battery backup pump. The backup, another pump that floats above the original pump, will kick on when the electricity goes out. If your sump pump fails, an alarm goes off, letting you know the backup is working. A few hundred dollars will save you thousands in water damage.
Happy Spring!! Enjoy the Summer!!
Print the handy check-list....http://www.hgtv.com/content/dam/documents/checklist.pdf
The weight of it all.....
Snow and ice are heavy and the weight of it in your gutters can cause serious damage to your current gutter system which will allow your home to be subject to water damage once the weather clears and everything starts melting. The problem that you run into is that after the heavy snow your gutter repairs and evaluation is too late. You also forgot to clean your gutters in the Fall so now there is even more weight in your gutter. This is why proper regular gutter maintenance is so important.
Below are some statistics from FEMA regarding snow and ice weight.
Range in Snow Weight - The weight of 1 foot of fresh snow ranges from 3 pounds per square foot for light, dry snow to 21 pounds per square foot for wet, heavy snow.
Ice - One inch of ice weighs a little less than 5 pounds per square foot, and 1 foot of ice weighs approximately 57 pounds per square foot. Ice weighs significantly more than heavy, wet snow per inch depth. In part, this is why it is important to prevent ice buildup on a roof structure and gutters. Ice dams are very heavy and dangerous.
This most recent snow fall is putting serious stress on your gutters and the fascia board that they are attached to. If your gutters are not properly secured or your fascia has begun to deteriorate due to the every day weather conditions your gutters can fall off. A fallen gutter that is not damaged is not as bad as a gutter that is hanging and bent. Once the gutter is bent it can not be repaired.
A yearly gutter maintenance check-up will alert you to any issues that may be going on with your gutters. Spring is around the corner and you might want to take the time to have your gutter system evaluated when you get your Spring gutter cleaning.
Check out more information on the importance of regular gutter maintenance on our website; keltomgutters.com
BERGEN COUNTY AND KELTOM WORK TOGETHER
Keltom Gutter Service is already in your neighborhood....from Heather Court in Allendale to Bristol Court in Alpine, stopping on Cedar Lane in Closter, Performing gutter cleaning and doing repairs along the way. We're scheduling service in Franklin Lakes, Woodcliff Lake, and Glen Rock. Have a wood, metal, tile, or slate roof? We don't walk on specialty roofs - at all. For any special needs you have such as heating cables, solar panels, or copper gutters we pay special attention and use the proper techniques and equipment to ensure that the job is completed to your satisfaction.
You do know that regular maintenance of your gutters is one of the most important things you can do to protect your most valuable investment. Water damage can be costly whether it's damaged windows and doors or foundation damage - the worst you can have. So if you didn't clean your gutters in the Fall now is the time before the heavy spring rains come and water run-off from clogged gutters saturates your home and landscape. When we clean your gutters we will check for any gutter or fascia repairs that you may not even be aware of and provide a written estimate to fix the issue. We like our customers so we send you an invoice and don't require a credit card to schedule a gutter cleaning.
Thinking of installing new replacement gutters? Not sure if your current configuration is appropriate for your home? We will send our trained field estimator to work with you on determining the best solution and to provide information on seamless aluminum gutters, color choices for gutters and downspouts, gutter guards, and copper gutter information.
Call us if you have questions about our gutter cleaning maintenance agreements, immediate guttering cleaning estimates, repair procedures and pricing, advice on gutter installations, or any other gutter-related issues!!!
Keltom Gutter Service Provides Service Year Round
So the fall cleaning season is over and 3700 customers later in 13 counties I want to say thanks to all our customers for their faith and trust in us. We hit a few obstacles, very cold temperatures (or as the weatherman likes to say "polar vortex", snow and frozen gutters. Did you know that gutter cleaning, roofing and exterior painting are listed as the 4th most dangerous jobs...this is why when your roof is frozen and there is snow or frost sometimes we get a later start or in case of snow we may not work at all.
Our company is working hard to make improvements all the time so give me a shout with your suggestions. I heard from many new customers that they were worried they would not get their gutters cleaned because other companies said they were not cleaning gutters anymore this year. Keltom Gutter Service is a full service company and we don't shut down...maybe the trucks don't go out when there is so much snow that it is unsafe to do the type of work we do but the office is always open. But that's it...if the weather cooperates we repair, install and clean gutters year round. Call now to get your gutters repaired, replaced or cleaned before the bad weather sets in.
Visit our new site for more information on specialty gutter cleaning, seamless aluminum gutter repairs and installations. Do you have a specific color of gutter or are thinking of installing a different color of gutter? Check out the gutter color chart under "Seamless Gutter Installation". Our main gutter coil supplier has just come out with some new and exciting colors which if you are interested just give me a call!
Ice Dams, Oh no!!!
WHAT IS AN ICE DAM?
- An Ice Dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions. An ice dam can damage both your roof and the inside of your home. It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too.
- Ice Dams are a common sight in North Jersey winters. There are several things you can do to avoid getting an ice dam or to reduce the risk of damage after one has formed, but there’s really only one cure: a combination of better sealing, insulation, and venting in the attic and eaves.
HOW DO ICE DAMS FORM?
- An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside of the layer of snow on the roof. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the eave of the roof, which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house. There, the water freezes, gradually growing into a mound of ice.
WHY SHOULD I CLEAN MY GUTTERS
- The gutters play an important part when ice dams form. If the gutters are clogged with debris before the snow falls there is a cushion for the snow and ice to build up. Heavy snow and ice can cause your gutters to to come away from the fascia. Make sure that your gutters are tightly secured before the winter. Keltom Gutters offers gutter repair service
WHAT DAMAGE DO ICE DAMS CAUSE?
- When an ice dam gets big enough, melted water backs up behind it and seeps underneath the shingles. Eventually, it will drip into the insulation and down into the ceilings and exterior walls beneath the eave, ruining sheet rock and paint. If the ice dam breaks free, it can pull shingles and gutters off with it, and it will damage anything it falls on: shrubs, windowsills, cars, pets, and people. If the roof sheathing stays wet, it can form mildew and start to rot.
HOW CAN YOU DEAL WITH AN ICE DAM?
There are two avenues of attack: dealing with an existing ice dam and preventing one in the first place.
DEALING WITH EXISTING ICE DAMS
- Remove the ice dam by breaking it free in small chucks. Do NOT use an ax or other sharp tool! You’ll cut through the shingles OR bend you gutters. Instead, tap lightly with a blunt mallet. This is slow, dangerous work, so hire someone experienced at roofing. Even if you do it safely, the chunks of ice can take pieces of shingle with them.
- Clear out gutters and downspouts. Again, this is ladder work and an easy way to damage either plastic or metal gutters and spouts.
- Melt troughs through the ice dam with calcium chloride ice melter. Do NOT use rock salt! It will damage paint, metals, and plants beneath the eave and wherever the salty water drains.
PREVENTING ICE DAM
973-852-7100
Don't lose Grandpa!!
Every fall Grandpa says he is going to clean the gutters because...he thinks he can.
According to the World Health Organization, the US leads the world in ladder injuries. Each year there are more than 164,000 emergency room-related injuries and 300 ladder fatalities.
It can be a dangerous job and requires skilled professionals. Keltom Gutter Services has been repairing, cleaning and installing gutters for over 20 years and that is all we do. We're not landscapers, gardeners, painters or pool cleaners. We concentrate on just gutters, homes with asphalt shingle roofs, slate roofs, cedar roofs, Yankee gutters, copper gutters, seamless aluminum....I could go on but you get the picture. We are scheduling for the busy fall season NOW. Call to make sure you have a spot....serving 13 counties in NJ our fleet is ready to come to your home and we are fully insured
Oh...make sure you get Grandpa a gift certificate when you call to schedule. Available for any size home and we will mail it.
$25 OFF Gutter Cleaning (First Time Customers Only)
Why does Keltom Gutters have over 4000 customers in Morris County??
Why do we have so many customers in Morris County?? Because all we do is gutters. Serving Morris County for over 22 years helps too. Our corporate office is located in Morris County and we service 13 counties in NJ. Our fleet is on the road and our trained technicians are capable of servicing all types of gutters. NJ licensed and fully insured to provide workers compensation to our field technicians. We do not use sub-contractors never have and never will. Below is what a few of our customers are saying....
Dear Mr. Keltom – I wanted to express my gratitude to your worker who cleaned our gutters. He went “above and beyond” his duty when he helped to remove branches of a fallen tree from the storm on our deck. We were going to wait for our son-in-law to help but now we can have our Easter egg hunt on our cleaned deck!! – Gratefully yours, Chris and Theresa
To Keltom Gutter Services – Thank you for the gutter cleaning – your staff told me over the phone that I could apply the $15 coupon upon receiving the billing statement – first time customer! I will recommend your services to friends and family. – MaryBeth
To Keltom Gutter – a note of thanks to everyone at Keltom! It is truly a pleasure doing business with you. My gutter fell down on Wednesday, I called and your team was here on Friday morning. They were right on time, so polite and clear on the work that had to be done. Not to mention in the freezing cold!! - Barbara
Keltom – Your workers did a fantastic job installing our gutters, they are nice young hard working men and I will use you again for all my gutter problems. – Mrs. D
CALL US NOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR GUTTER CLEANING BEFORE THE RUSH!!
15$ OFF GUTTER CLEANING - FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS ONLY
973-852-7100 OR keltomgutters.wpengine.com
Specialty roof??? No problem...Keltom Gutters cleans gutters for homes with specialty roofs.
Specialty roof??? No problem...Keltom Gutters cleans gutters for homes with specialty roofs.
Ok, so now you own a home with a slate or wood roof, and you called various gutter companies to get them to come out and service your gutters. Of course you're worried that they may break or damage the roof because we all know how expensive it can be to replace broken slate or cedar. Keltom Gutter Services trains their technicians not to walk on any specialty roof!! We clean your gutters by hand from the ladder, not by walking on your roof. Sure it takes more time and labor but this is what we do. Our only business is gutters...nothing else. Our techs use the proper equipment to provide a quality gutter cleaning based on your homes needs. Have copper gutters? No problem. Our techs use ladder stabilizers which prevent the ladders from touching your copper gutters. Our techs are trained to take care of all types of gutters including Yankee, aluminum, and copper.
When you call us we will ask you about your home and make sure the properly equipped truck comes to your home. Call now for a price quote. 973-852-7100 or info@keltomgutters.wpengine.com keltomgutters.com
$15 Off Gutter Cleaning (First Time Customers Only)
Does Bergen County Need a Reliable Gutter Cleaning Service???
From what I hear when people call me at the office I say YES!! We are scheduling more and more customers in Bergen county and we look forward to going there. Of course we look at it as more the merrier but here's the difference between our company and the other companies out there. WE SHOW UP!! WE DO A GOOD JOB! WE HAVE INSURANCE! WE ANSWER THE PHONE! That's right we employ enough office staff to be able to answer your calls during business hours...no waiting to hear back...we may put you on hold for a minute because we are busy...and we will get busier as the leaves begin to fall.
Make sure you have an appointment to clean your gutters. Maintenance of your gutter system is so important...after all it is your most valuable asset and you want to protect that investment. Call now to schedule a gutter cleaning for the busy Fall season. For your convenience we are now scheduling for late October, November and December. Get your spot on the schedule.
Use the $20 OFF GUTTER CLEANING COUPON WHEN YOU JOIN A MAINTENANCE PLAN.
If you like the job we do and are thinking of starting regular maintenance on your home, look at the benefits a plan can give you:
- LOCK IN YOUR PRICE
- PRIORITY SCHEDULING DURING THE BUSY SEASONS
- NOTIFICATION OF YOUR CLEANING APPOINTMENT
- FLEXIBILITY TO CHANGE YOUR PLAN
- NON-BINDING CANCEL AT ANY TIME NO FEES
- NO PRE-PAYMENT - WE MAIL THE INVOICE
973-852-7100 or keltomgutters.wpengine.com
$15 OFF GUTTER CLEANING (First Time Customers Only)
GUTTER CLEANING IN BERGEN COUNTY NEIGHBORHOODS
Keltom Gutter Service is already in your neighborhood....from Heather Court in Allendale, to Bristol Court in Alpine, stopping on Cedar Lane in Closter, Performing gutter cleaning and doing repairs along the way. We're scheduling service in Franklin Lakes,Woodcliff Lake and Glen Rock. Have a wood , metal, tile or slate roof? We don't walk on specialty roofs - at all. Any special needs you have such as heating cables, solar panels or copper gutters we pay attention and use the proper techniques and equipment to ensure that the job is completed to your satisfaction.
You do know that regular maintenance of your gutters is one of the most important things you can do to protect your most valuable investment. Water damage can be costly whether it's damaged windows and doors or foundation damage - the worst you can have. So if you didn't clean your gutters in the Fall now is the time before the heavy spring rains come and water run-off from clogged gutters saturates your home and landscape. When we clean your gutters we will check for any gutter or fascia repairs that you may not even be aware of and provide a written estimate to fix the issue.
Thinking of installing new replacement gutters? Not sure if your current configuration is appropriate for your home? We will send our trained field estimator to work with you on determining the best solution and to provide information on seamless aluminum gutters, color choices for gutters and downspouts, gutter guards, and copper gutter information.
Call us if you have questions about our gutter cleaning maintenance agreements, guttering cleaning estimates, repair procedures and pricing, advise on gutter installations or any other gutter related issues!!!
Thanks, Beth
973-852-7100
Request a quote....keltomgutters.wpengine.com