Thompson Creek Tips & Blog

Summer in the mid-Atlantic can be tough on your yard and home exterior. Exterior maintenance can become tedious and time consuming, especially if your home isn't new. Worn out gutters may be pulling away from the roof. If the downspouts aren't configured correctly, you could see landscape erosion. Your wood siding may be peeling, splitting or warping, and at the very least need power washing. Your window frames and sills may need sanding and repainting.

Now imagine your home with a low maintenance exterior. Vinyl replacement windows that never need sanding or repainting. A gutter system that never clogs or pulls away from your home. Downspouts carrying water away from your home efficiently and effectively, eliminating landscape erosion. Vinyl siding that is thicker, stronger and better insulated.

The Thompson Creek Window Company is your local source for homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and northern Virginia for products that decrease the amount of maintenance your home requires. For over 30 years, Thompson Creek has become the mid-Atlantic’s premier home improvement replacement products company with our vinyl windows, siding, doors, and rain gutters. All of our products are custom-manufactured, installed and serviced from our family-owned and operated facilities in Landover, Maryland.

The team at Thompson Creek knows that our customers want replacement home improvement products that beautify their home, increase their home value and return on investment, save them money in energy costs, and will incur no additional maintenance or costs in the long run.

The National Weather Service in Sterling, VA, has issued a Flash Flood Watch for most of Maryland, northern Virginia and Washington DC for today. Forecasters are predicting numerous heavy thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Cities such as Rockville, Fairfax, Ellicott City, Baltimore and Towson can expect rainfall to exceed two inches in less than an hour.

How will your windows hold up to all this rain?If your home has replacement windows from Thompson Creek Window Company, you'll have no worries. Thompson Creek’s double hung windows can withstand over 11" of rain per hour. The highest rainfall recorded in the Baltimore area was 6.39" in one day. With the storms hitting our area later today, Thompson Creek windows will keep you and the inside of your house dry with windows that won’t leak.

Now that the mid-Atlantic area is well into the dog days of summer, do some of your rooms feel like a sauna? A typical double-paned, clear-glass window allows approximately 75 percent of the sun’s heat into your home. Are your windows keeping the heat out?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing high-performance windows will improve your home's energy efficiency. In addition to utility bill savings, the benefits of added comfort and improved aesthetics and functionality may make the investment worthwhile. Many window technologies are available that are worth considering, including low-e glass.

Low-e stands for low-emissivity glass, which is a very thin coat of material on the glass to make it more energy efficient. This is important when the weather is very hot and sunny. Low-e coating helps reflect heat away from the surface, keeping unwanted heat out in the summer. Low-e glass is the most cost-effective way to increase the efficiency of your windows. It can also help reduce the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation entering your home, reducing furniture and carpet fading.

If you have single-pane windows, installing Thompson Creek vinyl replacement windows with double-pane glass and low-e coating can result in savings on your energy bills of up to 30%.

If your home is more than a few years old, you may have areas of siding that show signs of wear. Whether it’s wood siding, aluminum siding or vinyl siding, over time siding can fade, develop leaks, warp, crack or dent. And old siding is typically much less energy efficient than newer siding.

So if you have a section of siding that is damaged, do you just replace that section or your entire home? It makes the most sense to do the complete job. If you have a area of damage, the rest of the old siding is at risk for similar damage in the near future. Older siding is susceptible to wind damage. It is easier for water to penetrate the siding and damage your home.

By installing new siding on your entire home, you can take advantage of the latest developments in siding. Vinyl siding from companies like Thompson Creek lays flat, hides any imperfections in the underlayment, has fewer seams and is foam laminated to add extra insulation to your home and block noise.

Thompson Creek siding is also thicker and 300% more impact-resistant, providing your home with lifetime protection from ice, hail, winds up to 165 mph and other damaging weather conditions. And with vinyl siding, you never have to climb a ladder again to paint your house.

Your home’s gutters are overhead and generally out of sight. You should take the time to inspect your rain gutters and downspouts to ensure rainwater is flowing freely to properly route water away from your home.

Once gutters clog, they can continue to fill up with leaves and debris. Seeds are part of the tree debris that can clog gutters and turn them into gutter gardens.

But you don’t have to climb a ladder and risk your safety to ensure your gutters are clear and free flowing. The Thompson Creek gutter system completely encloses your gutters, so the only thing flowing through them is water. This gutter system keeps rainwater moving properly through your gutters and to the downspouts. Thompson Creek gutters are guaranteed never to clog or pull away from your home, eliminating the need for you to climb a ladder to clean your gutters.
 

When you are considering replacing the siding on your home with vinyl siding, not all options will give you the most value for your money. There are many factors to consider, including cost, insulating properties, protection from weather extremes, as well as aesthetics. 

The quality of the product you choose is especially important in the mid-Atlantic area.  We experience extreme heat and cold throughout the year in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, so your home requires siding to protect it from all the elements. 

Choosing Thompson Creek Window Company's vinyl siding gives you the most bang for you buck in every area:

• You will insulate your house from drafts and noise with interlocking foam insulation that blocks up to 45% more noise than regular siding.
• You will protect your home from ice, hail and damaging winds up to 165 miles per hour with siding that’s 300% more impact resistant.
• You can choose from one of 16 low-gloss designer colors and give your home the attractive appearance and curb appeal you’ve always wanted.
• You will never have to paint your home again.
• You will have peace of mind knowing that your siding is backed by our unbeatable lifetime guarantee.

Click here to learn more about Thompson Creek's vinyl siding, or call  866-57CREEK  866-57CREEK today!

Installing replacement windows can add significant value to your home just by improving energy efficiency. According to Energy Information Administration, they estimate that as much as one third of the average home’s heat loss occurs through windows and doors.

When trying to decide if you need to replace your windows, you need to consider when your home was built and if it still has the original windows. You also need to evaluate the condition of your windows – do they show signs of wear, wood rot, warping, are difficult to open or have cranks that no longer work? And if you have single pane windows, this could be one of the biggest reasons to replace them. Single pane windows are not energy efficient, so upgrading to double pane windows will keep your home much cooler in the summer. You will significantly reduce outside noise coming in through your windows. And you’ll dramatically reduce your energy bills.

Having a more energy efficient home will also increase its resale value. Remodeling magazine’s "Cost vs. Value Report" says that "vinyl window replacements resulted in national recovery rates of 81%. Replacement windows are a truly solid investment…"

When choosing a replacement window company, it’s important to look for windows that are eligible for the tax credit under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Windows from Thompson Creek will make your house more energy efficient, and you can claim a tax credit. Talk to your tax advisor for details.

Clogged gutters cause a multitude of problems, ranging from foundation damage and driveway damage to mold and mildew. When your gutters clog, water backs up and goes wherever it can. This can mean major damage to your homes fascia, or outside wall. Making its way down the side of your home, water seeps into the foundation causing hidden damage not visible from the outside. Clogged gutters can not only cause damage on your home’s exterior but also to the interior. It is possible for water to continue down along your foundation and into your basement causing structural damage and expensive solutions. Mold and mildew breed in the soggy leaves and debris in clogged gutters causing a serious safety issue for your family.

Before having to deal with major damage and expense caused by clogged gutters over time, replace your gutters with the Thompson Creek Gutter System, which completely encloses and protects your gutters. There are no vertical openings for leaves and debris to enter and no screens to clog. Rainwater flows over and around the nose of the gutter system, into your gutters and swiftly though your downspouts. Our gutters offer protection against the elements with our exclusive high back system with eight flow reducers, preventing unwanted overflow and completely protecting the fascia.

The mid-Atlantic region often experiences some pretty significant rainfall in the spring and summer. Are your windows protecting your home from the damaging effects of heavy rain and wind this spring?

If you have old wood windows, even a moderate rain can damage your home. Aside from water leaking into your house through leaky seals, water can also work its way inside your walls and framing, eventually into your foundation and basement. Damage can include deteriorating framing and drywall, wood rot, foundation cracks, wet basements, and mold or mildew.

If you have vinyl replacement windows from Thompson Creek Window Company, your home is protected from the damaging effects of rain and wind. Thompson Creek windows can withstand 11 inches of rain per hour, stand up to 133 mile per hour winds and are 79% more energy efficient than standard single-pane window default values, according to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). They pass the rigorous water leakage and wind pressure tests and are certified by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA).

Spring weather is here, and summer is right around the corner. The signs of summer are invigorating, and encourage many homeowners to get outside to get their yard and home exterior ready for summer.

But exterior maintenance can become tedious and time consuming, especially if your home isn't new. Worn out gutters may be pulling away from the roof. If the downspouts aren't configured correctly, you could see landscape erosion. Your wood siding may be peeling, splitting or warping, and at the very least need power washing. Your window frames and sills may need sanding and repainting.

Now imagine your home with a low maintenance exterior. Vinyl replacement windows that never need sanding or repainting. A gutter system that never clogs or pulls away from your home. Downspouts carrying water away from your home efficiently and effectively, eliminating landscape erosion. Vinyl siding that is thicker, stronger and better insulated.

The Thompson Creek Window Company is your local source for homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and northern Virginia for products that decrease the amount of maintenance your home requires. For over 30 years, Thompson Creek has become the mid-Atlantic’s premier home improvement replacement products company with our vinyl windows, siding, doors, and rain gutters. All of our products are custom-manufactured, installed and serviced from our family-owned and operated facilities in Landover, Maryland.

The team at Thompson Creek knows that our customers want replacement home improvement products that beautify their home, increase their home value and return on investment, save them money in energy costs, and will incur no additional maintenance or costs in the long run.

A two-year pilot program was kicked off last week by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Energy (DOE).  PowerSaver loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, will be available from 18 lenders in certain regions of the country to provide homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements, including door and window replacement.
Initially, the PowerSaver pilot program is expected to assist approximately 30,000 homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades. According to HUD projections, more than 3,000 jobs will be created through this pilot program and the impact may be larger if market demand for the loan program increases over time.

Participating lenders in the pilot program have been selected primarily based on their commitment to work in partnership with established home energy retrofit programs provided by states, cities, utilities, and home improvement contractors.

PowerSaver loans will be backed by the FHA but require these lenders to have significant "skin in the game," FHA officials note. FHA mortgage insurance will cover up to 90 percent of the loan amount in the event of default, with lenders retain the remaining risk on each loan to incentivize responsible underwriting and lending standards.

Wet or damp basements are a common problem in homes. Wet basements create mold, mildew, and ruin flooring and wall materials. It’s easy for water to find its way into your basement, merely from gravity – water flows down hill and along your foundation, stopping when it hits the basement. The wet soil all along the outside of your foundation walls creates pressure, finding its way through the smallest crack, or worse yet, the pressure creates its own cracks in the wall. Often homeowners will turn to more expensive fixes such as waterproofing the entire basement, which requires extensive excavation and landscape repairs.

But before deciding on such an expensive fix, the source of the water in your basement should be identified, possibly offering a much cheaper solution. Ground water can seep through floors and foundations due to heavy rain or seasonal run-off, or it could be constant water seepage. Often the source of this water is your home’s gutters and downspouts.

Gutters can overflow because of excessive rainfall, clogging from leaves or debris. Improper installation, for example, can cause draining from the second floor gutters into the first floor gutters, overflowing them. Sometimes homeowners install gutters in one or two locations but not all the way around the house. This causes an overload of water into your gutters which cannot drain away from your house properly. Water problems can also be caused by disconnected downspouts or downspouts that aren't long enough to direct water away from the house.

So before deciding to undertake an expensive basement waterproofing project, first check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they aren’t causing your wet basement problems.

Heavy spring showers and storms are already in full swing. In homes with clogged gutters or downspouts, foundation damage is the single biggest problem. Ground erosion allows rain water to work its way to the foundation, creating structural damage. If your home develops foundation damage, you're faced with a very costly repair. The uneven settling of the house or damage to part of the foundation can also compromise the plumbing and electrical systems and cause settling and cracks on solid surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways. In addition, you're looking at tens of thousands of dollars deducted from the resale value of your home.

An efficient and properly maintained gutter system channels rainwater off your roof and away from your home's foundation. You'll also have the added benefit of avoiding the damage created by ordinary rain gutters that are easily clogged with leaves, twigs, granules from shingles and other debris that cause overflow and more costly damage.

The best solution is one like the Thompson Creek Gutter System, which completely encloses and protects your gutters. There are no vertical openings for leaves and debris to enter and no screens to clog. Rainwater flows over and around the nose of the gutter system, into your gutters and swiftly though your downspouts. Our gutters offer protection against the elements with our exclusive high back system with eight flow reducers, preventing unwanted overflow and completely protecting the fascia.

In her new book, Smart is the New Rich (Wiley Publishing, 2010), Christine Romans talks about home improvement projects and which ones make the most financial sense. Romans, a veteran CNN money correspondent, says that at the peak of the remodeling frenzy in 2005 a homeowner could recoup 80% of the cost of a state-of-the-art kitchen. But today the value a homeowner can get from a big renovation project is falling fast.

Romans contends the "post-bubble rule of thumb" is that exterior remodeling, small, or strategic improvements give homeowners the best bang for their buck. She specifically cites door and window replacements as allowing homeowners to recoup more than 80% of the cost of the project. Romans says finishing a basement, attic bedroom or a new deck are other projects with higher returns. Home office remodels and sunroom additions add the least resale value to a home. Roman also says that new replacement windows in the mid-Atlantic and northeast deliver better return on investment than in the south.

She sums up which remodeling projects make the most sense: "In general, remember, in a tough housing market the renovations that make the most sense are the improvements that add curb appeal."

To increase your home's curb appeal while helping maximize your investment, consider Thompson Creek Window Company. Thompson Creek windows, siding, doors, and rain gutters all increase your home value as well as energy efficiency. Thompson Creek windows qualify for the new 2011 energy tax credit. Our gutter system is guaranteed never to clog or pull away from your home. Our vinyl siding will insulate your home and block up to 45% more noise than regular siding. You will increase the curb appeal of your home with a new entry door, sliding glass door, or French doors.

Wet or damp basements are a common problem in homes. Wet basements create mold, mildew, and ruin flooring and wall materials. It’s easy for water to find its way into your basement, merely from gravity – water flows down hill and along your foundation, stopping when it hits the basement. The wet soil all along the outside of your foundation walls creates pressure, finding its way through the smallest crack, or worse yet, the pressure creates its own cracks in the wall. Often homeowners will turn to more expensive fixes such as waterproofing the entire basement, which requires extensive excavation and landscape repairs.

But before deciding on such an expensive fix, the source of the water in your basement should be identified, possibly offering a much cheaper solution. Ground water can seep through floors and foundations due to heavy rain or seasonal run-off, or it could be constant water seepage. Often the source of this water is your home’s gutters.  Gutters can overflow because of excessive rainfall, clogging from leaves or debris. Gutter screens or gutter covers easily become clogged and overflow.  Sometimes homeowners install gutters in one or two locations but not all the way around the house. This causes an overload of water into your gutters which cannot drain away from your house properly. Water problems can also be caused by disconnected downspouts or downspouts that aren't long enough to direct water away from the house.

So before deciding to undertake an expensive basement waterproofing project, first check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they aren’t causing your wet basement problems.

The windows in your home can leak for a variety of reasons.  The flashing could be installed incorrectly around the outside of the window.  Your gutters could be inadequate or your roof could be faulty, causing water to run down behind the siding and into your home.  Your windows could be manufactured without adequate j-channels to direct water around and away from the window.  During the winter months, ice dams can develop on your roof, causing water to leak behind the siding and into your home through a window.  Or your windows could simply be leaking somewhere around the frame or glass itself.

Leaky windows can cause many problems in your home, and are compounded the longer you let the problem go.  Wood frame rot, mold, damaged siding and the sheathing underneath, are all problems associated with water leaking in through your windows.

To eliminate the leaks you have to identify the root of the problem.  Replacing gutters, repairing window flashing, or preventing ice dams from forming can all help solve the leak. You may have to replace the faulty windows themselves.  When looking at replacement windows, you want to be sure they’re manufactured with vinyl sashes that are welded together rather than screwed together.  Also look for drainage holes and spaces for air circulation to avoid moisture accumulation in window frames and sashes.

Thompson Creek windows are manufactured using the best materials and techniques in order to guarantee you a lifetime of maintenance-free efficiency.

Winter weather is upon us and high utility bills are right around the corner.  If your windows are old and drafty, they can send your utility bills through the roof.

Even if you can’t necessarily feel the air leaking in from your windows, there’s a simple way to check if they are drafty.  On a breezy day, take a lit candle and hold it around the perimeter of your windows.  If the flame flickers, you are throwing more money than you should at your utility bills. 

Covering your windows with plastic really won’t make them more energy efficient, but replacing them will.  Vinyl replacement windows are air-tight, keeping out drafts as well as outside noise and pollution.  Vinyl replacement windows are maintenance-free so you don’t need to regularly sand and paint them like wood windows.  New windows will keep the heat inside your home this winter.

Wet or damp basements are a common problem in homes.  Wet basements create mold, mildew, and ruin flooring and wall materials. It’s easy for water to find its way into your basement, merely from gravity – water flows down hill and along your foundation, stopping when it hits the basement.  The wet soil all along the outside of your foundation walls creates pressure, finding its way through the smallest crack, or worse yet, the pressure creates its own cracks in the wall.  Often homeowners will turn to more expensive fixes such as waterproofing the entire basement, which requires extensive excavation and landscape repairs.

But before deciding on such an expensive fix, the source of the water in your basement should be identified, possibly offering a much cheaper solution.  Ground water can seep through floors and foundations due to heavy rain or seasonal run-off, or it could be constant water seepage. Often the source of this water is your home’s gutters.

Rain gutters can overflow because of excessive rainfall, clogging from leaves or debris. Improper installation, for example, can cause draining from the second floor gutters into the first floor gutters, overflowing them. Sometimes homeowners install gutters in one or two locations but not all the way around the house. This causes an overload of water into your gutters which cannot drain away from your house properly. Water problems can also be caused by disconnected downspouts or downspouts that aren't long enough to direct water away from the house.

So before deciding to undertake an expensive basement waterproofing project, first check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they aren’t causing your wet basement problems.

In homes with clogged gutters or downspouts, foundation damage is the single biggest problem.  Ground erosion allows rain water to work its way to the foundation, creating structural damage.  If your home develops foundation damage, you’re faced with a very costly repair.  The uneven settling of the house or damage to part of the foundation can also compromise the plumbing and electrical systems and cause settling and cracks on solid surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways.  In addition, you’re looking at tens of thousands of dollars deducted from the resale value of your home.

An efficient and properly maintained gutter system channels rainwater off your roof and away from your home’s foundation.  You’ll also have the added benefit of avoiding the damage created by ordinary rain gutters that are easily clogged with leaves, twigs, granules from shingles and other debris that cause overflow and more costly damage.
 

Non-existent, leaky or poorly-installed gutters can not only damage a home’s exterior paint job, but also its structural integrity.  This allows water to penetrate and damage the fascia, soffit or the actual framing of the house, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

A properly constructed and maintained gutter system reduces mold, mildew, oxidation, dry-rot and insect infestation in and around your home – including your basement, foundation and crawl spaces.

An efficient rain gutter system will not only channel water away from your home but you’ll avoid the damage created by ordinary rain gutters that are easily clogged with leaves, twigs, granules from shingles and other debris that cause overflow and more costly damage.

The colors of fall leaves are beautiful.  The damage they can do can be costly.  Fall leaves can clog your rain gutters and downspouts preventing your gutter system from properly routing rain water away from your home.  You can either climb a ladder to clean your gutters yourself, or pay someone to do it for you.  Better yet, you can install a gutter system that is guaranteed never to clog.

Clogged gutters can lead to:

• Damaged fascia, soffit or outside walls
• Foundation Damage
• Wood Rot
• Mold and Mildew
• Wet Basements
• Landscape Erosion
• Shingle and roof damage
• Driveway and walkway damage
• Mosquito and termite breeding grounds

Protect yourself and your home from the costs associated with clogged gutters.  Now is the best time to act so that you don’t have to worry about clogged gutters this fall.

With Hurricane Earl barreling up the east coast this week, those of us in the mid-Atlantic area are thinking about what to do to prepare for possible high winds, heavy rains and flooding.

There are a few steps you can take in preparation for a hurricane or tropical storm making landfall.  According to FEMA, check in around your yard for potential problems.  Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.  Assess your property to ensure that landscaping and trees do not become a wind hazard. Trim dead wood and weak or overhanging branches from all trees. Consider landscaping materials other than gravel/rock.

Besides having clear gutters and downspouts, you want to ensure that there are no loose siding boards on the outside of your home. You’ll also want to look at your windows and entry doors and address any problems with leaks, loose trim, or other issues that might allow rain or wind to penetrate your home during a big storm.

We’re fortunate that we don’t frequently encounter hurricanes in our area, and rarely with the same force as other areas of the country.  But with Hurricane Earl predicted to impact our area in some way later this week, now is a good time to evaluate your home’s gutters, windows and doors.

Thompson Creek’s double-hung windows can withstand 11.53 inches of rain per hour and stand up to sustained winds of 153.09 miles per hour - the same winds you'd find during Category Four hurricane.  For more information on Thompson Creek’s quality vinyl replacement windows, doors, siding and gutters, visit our website at www.thompsoncreek.com.

Gutters are often overlooked because they are above your head, and out of sight.  It is important that your rain gutters are clear so that water can be properly routed away from your home.  Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause numerous problems for your home including wet basements, cracked foundations, damp ceilings, wall damage, mold, mildew and insect infestation.

Cleaning your gutters is dangerous.  According to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, more than 2.1 million people were treated in US emergency rooms for ladder accidents from 1990 to 2005.  And during the study period, the number of incidents continued to rise, going up about 50 percent in 2005 compared with 1990.

Choose a gutter system that is guaranteed never to clog to avoid ladder injuries and protect your home from potential damage from faulty gutters.

Wet or damp basements are a common problem in homes.  Wet basements create mold, mildew, and ruin flooring and wall materials. It’s easy for water to find its way into your basement, merely from gravity – water flows down hill and along your foundation, stopping when it hits the basement.  The wet soil all along the outside of your foundation walls creates pressure, finding its way through the smallest crack, or worse yet, the pressure creates its own cracks in the wall.  Often homeowners will turn to more expensive fixes such as waterproofing the entire basement, which requires extensive excavation and landscape repairs.

But before deciding on such an expensive fix, the source of the water in your basement should be identified, possibly offering a much cheaper solution.  Ground water can seep through floors and foundations due to heavy rain or seasonal run-off, or it could be constant water seepage. Often the source of this water is your home’s gutters.

Gutters can overflow because of excessive rainfall, clogging from leaves or debris. Improper installation, for example, can cause draining from the second floor gutters into the first floor gutters, overflowing them. Sometimes homeowners install gutters in one or two locations but not all the way around the house. This causes an overload of water into your gutters which cannot drain away from your house properly. Water problems can also be caused by disconnected downspouts or downspouts that aren't long enough to direct water away from the house.

So before deciding to undertake an expensive basement waterproofing project, first check your gutters and downspouts to make sure they aren’t causing your wet basement problems.

When rain water is not properly diverted from your home, the water can work its way into your walls—absorbed like a sponge by your home’s wooden framework or decking. This moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for fungal deterioration and wood rot. The most effective way to prevent fungal deterioration of wood is to keep it dry.

A clogged rain gutter or downspout is also the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.  Mold can cause respiratory illnesses, and black mold can also be one of the toughest objections to overcome when trying to sell your home.  Mold and mildew damage is becoming a large and challenging issue for homeowners and insurance companies.

A gutter system that remains free of leaves and debris and drains well is the obvious solution.  Diverting rainwater off of and away from your home prevents it from seeping into the wood framing of your home.  And when water doesn’t sit stagnant in gutters you can prevent mold and mildew from growing.

In homes with clogged gutters or downspouts, foundation damage is the single biggest problem.  Ground erosion allows rain water to work its way to the foundation, creating structural damage.  If your home develops foundation damage, you’re faced with a very costly repair.  The uneven settling of the house or damage to part of the foundation can also compromise the plumbing and electrical systems and cause settling and cracks on solid surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways.  In addition, you’re looking at tens of thousands of dollars deducted from the resale value of your home.

An efficient and properly maintained gutter system channels rainwater off your roof and away from your home’s foundation.  You’ll also have the added benefit of avoiding the damage created by ordinary rain gutters that are easily clogged with leaves, twigs, granules from shingles and other debris that cause overflow and more costly damage.

Non-existent, leaky or poorly-installed gutters and downspouts can not only damage a home’s exterior, but also its structural integrity.  This allows water to penetrate and damage the fascia, soffit or the actual framing of the house, potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage.

When rain water is not properly diverted from your home, the water can work its way into your walls—absorbed like a sponge by your home’s wooden framework or decking. This moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for fungal deterioration and wood rot. The most effective way to prevent fungal deterioration of wood is to keep it dry.

An efficient rain gutter system will not only channel water away from your home but you’ll avoid the damage created by ordinary rain gutters that are easily clogged with leaves, twigs, granules from shingles and other debris that cause overflow and more costly damage.