Location Location Location: The importance of the location of your downspouts

They say with realistate there are three keys:

1. Location
2. Location
3. Location

With gutters, the same pricinple applies. The location of the downspouts are critical to the longterm value of the house.

Incorrect location of downspouts can cause:

• water in the basement
• mold on the siding
• deteroration of landscaping
• damage to sidewalks and driveways
• and many more issues

I received a call last week, wondering if a downspout could be moved. This lady’s downspout was draining by her front door, but had to run across her sidewalk inorder to reach the driveway, and finish draining down the driveway. Over the winter, the water/ice had caused significant damage to her sidewalk. The top layer of concrete was starting to flake off.

From Chick to Chickens….

About 2 months ago my wife and I were having a conversation with Steve and Kristen about chickens. Stephanie and I were sharing our experience with raising ckickens and the joy we had raising then. Steve was telling us how he would love to start up the Hickey Egg Farm again. His daughter, Kaitlyn, would take care of the chick(en)s and handle the eggs. From there the conversation led to raising meat chickens. My wife and I love the idea, two years ago we raised our own meat chickens (Primarily for fun). We raised over 150, three batches of 50. But to our great dismay some varmints got into our flock. One night in particular, the varmint (in this case a mink) killed 48 chickens in one night. It started out with us only losing a chicken every now and then, slowly we started losing 1-2 chickens per night. We started locking the chickens up at night in (what I considered) a very secure chicken coop. Then we started losing chickens during the day.

Six weeks ago, I ordered 100 broiler chicks. Yesterday they arrived. I wish the weather would have been nicer.

With the help of some friends we will be raising the broilers as organic free-range chickens. We took the chickens out to our friends farm last night, and got them settled into their new home.

How to repair holes in you seamless rain gutter

If you have leaks in your Rain gutters, I am sure that (by this time) you are frustrated. Frustrated with the water dripping or leaking out of the gutters at places where water should not be coming out. You may have  even slipped and fallen or almost fallen on the patches of ice the leak caused.

If your gutters are leaking and there are holes in them, chances are you have steel gutters. The steel gutters are probably rusted on the inside. The holes are caused by the rust thinning the steel. The gutters start rusting when your gutters are not draining properly. With out proper drainage, water and other debris sits in your gutters, that gives the rust plenty of time to rust holes in your gutters. The majority of the time you can not tell there is a hole until the water starts dripping.

The upper Midwest is notorious for a weather cycle known as “freeze thaw”. During the winter and spring we will have periods of time when everything is frozen, followed by a warm cycle which causes everything to thaw. This cycle repeats itself numerous times. The “freeze thaw” will expose any weak spots in the gutter. The bad news is, if you only have one hole, you soon will have several more.

There are two ways to repair holes in rain gutters, both ranging in different degrees of difficulty.

The easiest way to repair the hole:

1. Clean and completely dry the area.
2. Use a quality caulk and fill the hole a surrounding area (about an inch around the hole)
3. Let the caulk dry and wait for the next rain storm to test you handy work, or use th garden hose.

The more difficult way (but better option) to repair the hole:

1. Dry and clean the area (six to eight inches away from the hole)
2.  Cut a piece of metal to fit inside the gutter (large enough to cover the hole and about two inches around it
3. Use a quality caulk and liberally apply it to the area
4. Slowly place the fitted metal plate into the sealer
5. On the outside of the gutter, use three to five screws to secure the metal plate into the gutter
6. Apply additional caulk to seal every screw and all the edges on the new metal plate

Tip: use a piece of metal that is the same color as the gutter if possible. You can also put the metal plate on the outside of the gutter.

 

There are some simple things to check in order to keep your gutters in good working order.

To prevent rust through…Keep your gutters clean and make sure they are draining properly. If you want to invest more time and energy, thoroughly clean the gutters (rust and all). Clean your gutters all the way down to shiny metal. Since you’ve taken the time to thoroughly clean your gutters, go the additional mile and spray it with a quality rust-stop paint.

 I would advise a thorough check of the gutter to make sure it will be worth your time.

Thinks to look for…first, the obvious, look for weak spots that may not hold up when it is being cleaned, and make sure you have good drainage.

Here are a few pros and cons…

• ….if you repair the leak or hole in the rain gutter. In my professional opinion, you are only putting a band-aid on wet skin. You can patch the hole, but it will eventually come off. (Typically sooner rather then later)
• ….if you replace the gutters, then you will experience zen for many years to come.  (The average cost of replacing gutters is $650-$850)

Here are some pros and cons to fixing Vs. repair…

• …repair is cheap and easy.
• …replacing is difficult and more expensive.
• …repair is something that will more then likely need annual or biannual maintenance.
• …replacing comes with a one year warranty.

If you are going to keep living in your house for more then 3 years, I would strongly recommend replacing the rain gutters. Not only will it look better, but it will also be an advantage when it comes time to sell.

Wollman Seamless Rain Gutters

wcliff20@gmail.com

605-261-5335

Please feel free to post your comments.

 

Global warming, Global cooling and Global bogus

It’s April 2 in South Dakota. When I woke up this morning it looked as if it would be a promising day, after a bit of PC work and emails my wife came into the office and announced… WHATS THIS… I looked at her and asked whats what? As she starred outside I looked over and to my disappointment saw the giant white snow flakes falling to the ground and piling up fast. I quickly rechecked to forecast and found that it’s 32 degrees out, the snow is suppost to end my 10:00 am, it’s already 10:30 am, the for the rest of the day we have a slight chance of rain, whatever that means. As of last night there was no snow in the forecast. Today’s forecast says high near 48degrees. What does near 48 degrees mean? Is it give or take 3 degrees maybe 5, or maybe 9???

We as in Sioux falls, South Dakota are on average about 14 degrees below normal temp. That would suggest that we are experiencing global cooling.

Average High: 52º
Average Low: 27º
Record High: 81º (1981)
Record Low: 6º (1899)

According to what our Average highs and lows are, I am confused. Is it really global cooling or is it global warming  or maybe is all just global bogus created by a few convinceing people and the power of media. AAAAAHHHHHHHH What the hell is going on.

Here let me break it down, according to the record high’s and low’s we are experiance a slight change in weather. Which if you dig a bit deeper in what the weather has done over the past 100-200 years you will find that this weather is totally normal. The cycles in weather are cycling just as the alway have.

It only seems horandous because every one is itching to get outside and do summer activities.  The good news is summer is coming and we can then start complaning about global warming.  The cycle continues… Till next time expect to unexpected.

Rain gutter repair

Since the snow and ice has come and gone and the spring rains are right around the corner, I am getting numerous calls about leaking rain gutters. Many homeowners are quick to blame the contractor who installed the gutter, but the majority of the time, the gutter was installed properly.

The main reason for leaking gutters are:

1. Sealer was poorly applied, or never applied. This would be contractor error.
2. Gutter apron is not overlapping the gutter properly. This is a common especially on the corners. This would also be contractor error.
3. The harsh winter. With the freeze thaw, freeze thaw we’ve had all winter, it takes it toll on the sealer. This is standard wear-and-tear. This is the most common problem.

I even looked at one house today that had earplugs in the holes to try to stop the leaking. This guy simply needs new Aluminum rain gutters, which I will install next week. His gutters were steel and completely rusted through, also the freeze thaw which we have every winter and fall put stress on the joints. As the joints get older you generally see more leaking.

Here are 5 simple steps to a leak free rain gutter

1. Over come your fear of heights.
2. Buy a grade “A” Rain gutter sealer
3. Clean the leaking area
4. Make sure the area is completely dry.
5. Seal the leaking area with the grade “A” sealer.

As long as these 5 steps are followed, you should have no problems with fixing the leak.

I do free estimates for seamless rain gutter repair and replacements, I can fix leaks and make sure that your fasca and soffit are in good condition. 

Clifford

Wollman Seamless Aluminum Rain Gutters 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

605.261.5335

blustery weather for seamless gutter repair in Sioux Falls, SD

Wow this weather is something else, I do have a few outside gutter jobs, new installations, that I have to complete, luck for my the contractors are understanding, they do not expect any of there crews to be out in this weather. It looks like better weather is on the horizon.

Wollman Seamless rain gutters  605-261-5335

I do seamless Aluminum Rain Gutters. Repair and new instatation

Wollman Construction is the name to beat. We do most of our business in the City of Sioux Falls, Brandon, Worthing, Harrisburg, Lennox, Hartford, Crooks, Del Rapids. I will be adding more info as time goes on.

I am in Sioux Falls, SD

Wollman Construction

2901 W Russell Street

Sioux Falls, SD 57107

605-261-5335

wcliff20@gmail.com

I would love to add you to our list of Satisfied costumers.

Hello Sioux Falls, South Dakota and surrounding area

Welcome to my Blog. I hope that I can bring you valuable information that will help you with your home improvements. We primarily work with Seamless Aluminum Rain Gutters with or without leaf guards, we also do and advise on roof repair, siding, windows, decks and wet basements.

I have been working in construction for almost 10 years, and have worked in almost every area of home building and remodeling. Two years ago I started Wollman Construction working with seamless rain gutters. Rain gutters was all we did for the first year of business, the second year we decided to expand. We took on roof repair, that part of the business has grown into fun adventure for us. We partnered with other roofing and siding companies to form a network of home repair specialists. Our hope is that I would continue to grow into a pillar of integrity and trust.

Wollman Construction 605-261-5335…. 2901 West Russell Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57107

wcliff20@gmail.com

605-261-5335