Roof Steamer vs. Pressure Washer

!±8± Roof Steamer vs. Pressure Washer

Steve Kuhl with The Ice Dam Company talks to Reuben about ice dam removal with steam, and the differences between a steamer and a pressure washer. Pressure washers, even high temperature pressure washers, should never be used on a roof. Nevertheless, there are plenty of companies offering this service. You can read more about this here - www.icedamcompany.com

Roof Steamer vs. Pressure Washer

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Ice Dam Removed

!±8± Ice Dam Removed

Nick pushes a huge ice dam off the roof.

Ice Dam Removed

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Gutter Fastening Systems

!±8± Gutter Fastening Systems

A gutter and drainage system can easily be taken for granted, until it begins to have problems. Without the gutter system properly distributing water, your home, lawn and garden are all at risk. These problems are easily prevented if gutters are properly installed by experienced and knowledgeable professionals. For example, simply the way a gutter system is secured to a roof can make a world of difference to it's potential lifetime.

One method of fastening gutter systems is the spike and ferrule system. A spike is driven through the face of the gutter and into the wood fascia behind it. With this technique, the fasteners are visible on the face of the gutters. Not only is does this system look less clean, but it has been proven to cause future problems for your gutters. As snow sits in the gutters, it applies an outward and downward pressure that works the gutter spikes loose over time. For this reason, we avoid this fastening technique.

Our preferred fastening technique is a hidden hanging system. To fasten, a zip hanger screw is fastened at an angle into the fascia, but is not visible from the face of the gutter. Because it is a screw instead of a spike, it has the resistance not to slide out of the wood over time. This system is stronger, it will last longer, and it looks great.

Another viable option includes fastening a strap to the sheathing underneath your roof. The strap wraps around the underside of the gutter, holding it firmly in place. The roofing material covers the strap completely, giving a clean and inconspicuous look. Strap hung gutters are usually installed with a reinforcing bar that holds the straps in place. This bar strengthens gutters under heavy weight of snow and ice.

In addition to considering the installation method that is best for you and your home, be sure to take into account some other important factors. When looking for a roofing and gutter contractor, be sure to have your roofing contractor finish the roof before the gutters are installed. There should be one downspout for every 40 ft, with your gutters installed at a pitch of at least 1/8" per foot. This allows for water, mud, snow and leaves to have somewhere to go instead of sitting stagnant and causing problems down the line.

On a commercial building, a 6 inch case style or box style gutter is best. Both of these gutters will be able to handle the volume of water that accompanies a large commercial building. This will help prevent future problems with overflowing or inadequate gutters.

Brady Roofing and it's sister company, Brady Gutters, are knowledgeable of the most effective gutter installation methods and products. After spending more than 20 years on various roofs, we have consistently seen both successful and unsuccessful gutter installations. If you choose Brady Gutters as your gutter specialist, we will help you to experience peace of mind with your gutter installation.

Gutter Fastening Systems

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MinnSNOWta Roof Razor vs Standard Roof Rake

!±8± MinnSNOWta Roof Razor vs Standard Roof Rake

A standard roof rake removes snow by scraping acroos the roof. As you can see, this can damage the roof's shingles. The MinnSNOWta Roof Razor uses wheels which roll on the shingles, preventing damage to your roof. For more information go to www.minnsnowta.com

MinnSNOWta Roof Razor vs Standard Roof Rake

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Why Does Ice Freeze in Gutters?

!±8± Why Does Ice Freeze in Gutters?

Ice build up in gutters can be caused by drainpipe blockages. Frequent build up of ice can be a nuisance for homeowners because once a gutter or pipe gets blocked it makes it difficult to thaw the ice and the gutters overflow subsequently damaging the roof and making dangerous ice patches on the ground. The first step towards a solution is to understand how the ice freezes or builds up.

Poor Attic Insulation

Actually, gutters have no role in gutter ice build up. The bottom layer of the snow on the roof melts because of the heat escaping the roof of the house and this melted snow trickles to the edge of the roof. As it reaches the gutter, it freezes into ice for it is no longer warmed by the escaping heat. Eventually large amount of ice builds up in and around the gutter and if one repeatedly thaws the ice and it freezes again and again, icicles would appear on the edges of the gutter.

Blocked Drainpipe

If any pipe running from the gutter to the ground gets blocked by ice will make problems worse for if the water moves fluently from the roof to the gutter and to and through the drain pipe, no blockade would occur but if in winters, the water freezes and the blocks the grain pipes, the water will stop moving and no water will be able to pass through.

Improperly Place Gutters

The gutters should be placed at a slight tilt and not in any case be placed at right angles for gutters placed at such angle would definitely cause more problems by being blocked rather than resolving them. If the gutter is not tilted and is flat, the water will still remain in it and will freeze because of staying still at a place in winters and such a frozen gutter would be the beginning of an ice dam. And the problem might turn worse if the ice dam causes the gutter to shift so that its flow turns much worse than before. A tilted gutter would not lead to such problems for in such tilted gutters the water is bound to keep moving downwards.

Snow on the Roof

The amount of snow on the roof will affect the build up of ice as well. The more the snow on roof, the worse the ice will build up if too much heat escapes the roof. Large amounts of snow will result in more potential water and ice and it will trap the heat of the top and the bottom of the snow, accelerating the melting process. And if such happens then it means more work has to be done on the roof to stop ice building up.

Why Does Ice Freeze in Gutters?

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