Choosing the right gutters to add to your home

Choosing the best rain gutter system for a home requires striking the right balance between the shape of the guttering, the material of which it is made and the add-ons that can improve the system. For a larger roof area or a home with many trees near the roofline, the largest guttering available should be selected. Guttering comes in a variety of materials ranging from expensive copper to inexpensive aluminum, and the material should be chosen to complement the style and value of the home. Using bracket versus spike hangers, adding a leaf screen and extending the trough of the splash block add expense but can be necessary based on the amount of drainage expected, the shape of the home’s eves, and the expected amount of leaf and twig debris the system is to handle.

The typical rain gutter system comes in widths of 4, 5 or 6 inches (10.26, 12.7 or 15.3 cm). If the roof area of the home is large, it will slough off more water than smaller roofs and will require a wider gutter system. On average, the 5-inch (12.7 cm) system will suffice. For large houses or when there are a number of trees near the roof that will shed leaves, a 6-inch (15.3-cm) gutter width is typically best.

Gutter shape is important as well but is mostly a matter of personal preference. Copper guttering, which is the most expensive, but very durable, is usually chosen for high-end homes and picked more for appearance. It is typically is round. Other gutters are often U-shaped or shaped vaguely like the letter K, with a leading edge that steps inward toward the house.

For a seamless gutter system, there is a range of choices in the width of the gutter material. The thickest material, 0.32 inches (8.1 mm) is more expensive but more durable. It typically is considered worth the investment as it lasts longer and is less likely to sag.

The method of attaching the rain gutter system to the house is an important choice as well. Cheaper and easier to install is the spike hanger, which is like a long nail driven through the outer edge of the gutter, through a small tube that is the width of the gutter, through the inside gutter edge and into the eve. Spike hangers can work themselves out of the roof over time. Bracket hangers, while a little more costly, are more durable, do less damage to the roof and are more likely to hold long term.
 

When there is a high probability of leaves and twigs getting in the gutter, homeowners should consider a leaf screen on top of the gutter, which adds cost but reduces maintenance and spillage. At the base of the downspout, a splash block receives the water coming through the gutter system and flows it away from the foundation. Larger splash blocks should be chosen depending on the amount of water expected and the slope of the lawn away from the foundation.

Jand B Roofing MN
Saint Paul MN And Surrounding Suburbs
651-457-0391

Choose the Right Siding Installation Contractor

Installing new siding can enhance the curb appeal of your home and make your home appreciate in value. If you have the funds available to pay a professional siding contractor, it is a wise decision to hire their expertise to ensure a high quality siding installation. Many siding contractors have the experience and technical knowledge to complete the job efficiently and effectvely, ensuring that the siding installation will last for many years.

Finding MN siding contractors is not usually very difficult. You can easily locate a list of local contractors through an online search, looking in the phone directory or even by asking for a list of contractors at your local home improvement stores.  Choosing a qualified siding installer, one who you can be sure will do an expert job, takes a little more time and effort.

Here are several suggestions to consider when choosing the right siding contractor for your project:

• Interview Several Contractors
  You can easily pre-screen your list of potential siding installers by asking just a few specific questions.  The first question to ask is whether or not they are licensed, bonded and insured to work in your local area. The next question should be about their level of experience.  Do they specialize in a certain type of siding installation, or are they a general siding contractor?  Ask about their crew as well. Are they full-time siding installers or just hired day laborers?  Having the answers to these questions will help you separate the professional siding contractors from the amateurs.
• Ask About Materials
  Of course, not all siding is the same.  There are different materials used, different grades of quality, and different warranty lengths to consider.  Make sure the siding contractor you decide to go with can provide (or is willing and authorized to work with) the siding materials you have chosen to use.  If you have not made a decision, ask for advice regarding the  products they would recommend. Get a feel for their product knowledge.
• Get Bids
  The bids you receive will certainly play a substantial part in the decision of which contractor to hire. It is important, however, to look at more than the bottom line price of the proposal.  Do a complete walk-through with each of the contractors to understand the scope of work and to look for potential problem areas.  As each contractor is planning and writing the bid, ask any questions that you may have. This is a perfect time to get an idea about how the contractor does business.
• Check References
  Ask each contractor for references. You should plan to call or visit several references for each contractor, before choosing a final bid. Rather than asking for a copy of their “pre-selected” reference list, ask for a list of the last five or ten projects they’ve worked on (along the with dates of those projects).  Asking for a real cross-sample of customers will ensure that you will get a well-rounded list, not just a hand-picked group of customers who will always give glowing testimonials.  Be sure to contact several customers from that list. Ask each customer about the quality of the work completed, the contractor’s overall customer service, and the timeliness of the project completion. Did the contractor set upfront expectations and were those expectations met satisfactorily?
• Ask About The Warranty
  Lastly, it is always a good idea to have a clear understanding of how the warranty works. The materials and workmanship might both be covered by separate warranties. It is also important to note that the siding company’s warranty might even become null and void if the product was installed incorrectly. Get the details in writing before the project is started.

While selecting the right type of siding and the best siding installation contractor may seem like a lot of work, it doesn’t have to be.  It is really just a matter of looking at how they work and gauging their level of quality and professionalism, instead of choosing based solely on the bottom line price.  J&B Roofing Siding and Gutters,  uses only top name, industry-leading siding. Using only high quality products, in conjunction with their stringent construction and production practices, ensures an optimum level of performance, results, and satisfaction for every customer. 

We can easily be reached at

JandB Roofing Siding and Gutters

Saint Paul MN

Serving the Entire Twin Cities Metro Area

651-457-0391

Licensed Bonded Insured

St Paul, MN Gutter Installation Professionals

Gutters and downspouts are a very important part of your home. If your home does not have gutters/downspouts, these problems can arise:

-Foundation problems; gutters remove moisture from near the home, ensuring that the foundation does not settle unevenly. If the foundation settles unevenly, cracks and damage to both the interior and exterior can prevail.  

-Flooding under the house and in the basement. If there are no gutters or they are clogged, water overflows and accumulates around the foundation, which can eventually lead to leaks in the basement.

- Erosion to landscaping and turf can occur. A trench can occur on the turf around your house due to runoff from your house. Also, you are unable to plant flowers, plants, or bushes underneath the roofline because they will become water logged and the water would erode the soil away from the plant roots.

- Damage to siding, trim, doors, and windows can occur. Depending on the type of material used, water running down the side of the house can cause rot and deterioration. This can allow water to seep inside the house around windows and doors, causing interior damage.

 
- Brick and stone masonry work can become stained. Splash back of dirt, grass, and minerals on to brick and stone can stain it over time. 

J & B Roofing Since 1984 we are a family owned st paul mn roofing and siding company. 651-457-0391

Serving the entire Twin Cities Metro Area

MN Roofing Issues for the Winter are Just Ahead

During the winter, you have plenty of weather related roofing concerns. You have to make sure that your sidewalk is salted down, your driveway is shoveled clear, and your pipes aren’t going to burst. You don’t want to have to have another issue on your mind, but if you don’t have proper attic ventilation then you might have to worry about ice dams on top of your roof.

What are Ice Dams?

Ice dams are ice formations along the edge of your roof that stop snow from melting and moving off of your roof. It gathers behind the dam, potentially causing issues with moving under your shingles, soaking through to attic insulation, damaging paint, and cracking sheet rock. Needless to say, you want to do everything you can to avoid this.

What causes them?

Photo Credit: umn.edu

Ice dams are caused by three distinct elements that have to be present before they form. The first is snowfall directly on your roof. The second is rising heat from your attic or home. The third is freezing temperatures. As the snow melts from the heat coming from your home, the water travels to the edge of the roof. However, as it moves from the insulated areas of your roof to uninsulated parts, it has the potential to freeze before dripping down.

Since you need all three elements at the same time to cause ice dams, removing one of those elements avoids the entire issue. You certainly can’t stop it from snowing or being cold out, but you can control where the warm air from your attic goes. You vent the warm air from the attic properly to avoid the bulk of the problem. The attic insulation also plays a part in stopping the heat from melting the snow.

This is the type of job that isn’t exactly do it yourself. You have to make sure that both the ventilation and insulation are sufficient to stop this problem from happening. A professional company such as the J and B Roofing can help you out with this problem. They will also be able to identify points of damage caused by the pooled water at the ice dam and advise you on methods of fixing this.

JandB Roofing, Siding, Gutters
941 16th Ave N  South St Paul, MN 55075
(651) 457-039