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Gutter Guards Can Protect Against Animal and Insect Infestations

Most homeowners know the importance of keeping gutters cleaned and cleared of debris: Clogged gutters can cause rotting rooflines and gutter overflows that destroy landscaping and damage foundations. Beyond that, clogged gutters serve as a standing point for animal waste and insects. Gutter guards can keep your home safe from animal and insect infestations. gutter guard critter protection - Nashville TN - Gutterman of TN-w800-h600

Animal infestation

Every homeowner dreads the thought of an animal infestation. No one wants to hear the telltale rustle in the attic, ceiling or walls that can indicate that rodents have gained access to your living spaces. Believe it or not, installing gutter guards can help keep pests out of your home. Many of the animals that will make their way into the walls and eaves of your home are climbers who will seek safe pathways to your homes weak points. Unguarded gutters can provide a food source to those animals — especially opportunistic squirrels — and allow them to crawl along the gutters to access your home’s interior. Birds also love to nest in unguarded gutters. The nest itself can cause your gutters to become clogged, causing water damage to your roof, walls or foundation. The weight of the nests can damage the gutter and cause them to become detached from your roofline.

Additionally, if you have ever cleaned your own gutters, you know that there can be a questionable sludge that collects at the bottom of dirty gutters. As unpleasant as it is to admit, that sludge likely contains animal and bird feces. Gutters have been known to harbor a fungus carried by pigeons that is harmful to human health. Gutter guards can save you from these health hazards. If you are cleaning out your unguarded gutters yourself, you should be wearing disposable gloves to keep your hands protected.

Insect infestations

With the proliferation of West Nile Virus, we are used to warnings about leaving standing water in our yards, as they provide breeding grounds to mosquitoes. Your unguarded gutters can provide the perfect breeding ground for a host of insects as blockages and water build up between cleanings. In addition to mosquitoes, the moist habitat of gutters can serve as a breeding ground to other undesirable insects, including damaging termites, cockroaches and earwigs.

Protect your gutters with SafeGuard

If you want to protect your home and your gutters from animal and insect infestations — and if you hate the regular chore of cleaning out your gutters — call the Gutterman of TN to talk about a gutter guard system today! SafeGuard gutter covers feature aluminum framing and stainless steel mesh to keep debris, animals and animal waste out of your gutters. SafeGuard can be attached to existing gutters, or they can be installed as a complete seamless gutter system. If you are paying to have someone clean your gutters, gutter guards will pay for themselves over time!

Conserve Water! Install a Rain Barrel with Your Gutter System

Once you have an efficient gutter system collecting water from your rooftop and ushering it downward, you can put all of that water to good use by collecting that water in a rain barrel.  Conserve Water! Install a Rain Barrel with Your Gutter system- Nashville, Tn- Gutterman of TN-w800-h800

Using rain barrels

Rain barrels, which you can buy or construct yourself from common hardware-store items, are placed at the bottom of your downspout to collect the water flowing through your gutter system. An average rainstorm can fill a 50-gallon rain barrel in the matter of an hour. [http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-product-design/5-great-rain-barrel-designs-plus-top-tips-for-using-them.html] While that water is polluted with bird droppings, particulate matter and dirt from your rooftop, it is perfectly good water that you can use to reduce your water consumption and save you money. Rain barrels also help waterways by preventing an excess of rainwater from overwhelming water systems with pollution during heavy rainstorms.

Some uses for rain barrels include:

• Washing cars• Washing patios or siding

• Watering flowers and bushes

• Watering vegetable gardens (though the water should be directed at the soil and should not come into contact with the parts of the plant that you would eat)

• Watering your lawn

• Hosing down your driveway

Rain barrel tips

There are some general guidelines to keep in mind if you decide to install a rain barrel at the bottom of your downspout.

• Always keep a cover on you rain barrel to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in, to keep away curious children or animals; to avoid creating a breeding place for mosquitos; and to keep the water out of direct sunlight, which can cause an algae bloom in your rain barrel.

• If you anticipate a lot of rain in the spring, followed by a drier period later on, consider investing in multiple rain barrels so you can collect an ample supply of water during the rainy season to be used during summer’s dry spells.

• If you plan to use rain from your rain barrel on a vegetable garden, stop using water from the rain barrel to water plants in the days leading up to harvesting, and wash vegetables thoroughly with tap water before consuming them.

• Never let pets or children drink water that you’ve harvested from the rain barrel because of all of the contaminants it contains.

• If you have your home sprayed for pests or treated in any way, stop using rain barrels for several days so those chemicals do not make their way into your water supply.

• Make sure rain barrels are empty before temperatures drop for the winter, as they could crack or become damaged if they freeze.

Of course, to fully take advantage of rain barrels, you need an effective gutter system. If your gutters are leaking, or if they’re not doing an adequate job of directing water safely from your home, call The Gutterman of Tennessee to schedule a consultation today!