Gutters and Downpipes
Q: Do I even need gutters?
A: If you didn’t have gutters and downspouts, the water would pour off the roof, along the length of the eaves, falling to the ground where it could seep into the exterior walls or the basement. Gutters channel rainwater into the downpipes and away from your home’s foundation.
Q: What are some signs that I might need new gutters?
A: Indications that you might need new gutters include: water or rust stains due to constant overflowing; mould appearing on the exterior or interior walls; gutters sagging because fasteners are coming loose; too many leaks to repair individually; the house is over 20 years old.
Q: How do I know what kind of gutters to buy?
A: When choosing what kind of gutters will be best for your home, consider: the geographic area in which you live; the style of your home; and how much time you would like to spend maintaining your gutter system. When MHC Gutters does a free estimate, we confer with you to determine what type of material for your gutter system would be best for both your home and your budget.
Q: Is it easy to install gutters myself?
A: It depends on several things such as the ability and comfort levels of your home improvement skills; how big the house is; the complexity of the roof’s configuration; whether or not you are affected by heights. It also depends on the type of gutters you intend on purchasing – seamless gutters generally have to be installed by gutter installation professionals who have the right tools to fabricate them on site. Another major consideration is cost: if you contract MHC Gutters to install them for you, everything is included, from the gutters to downpipes to fasteners and anything else that is needed for your new gutter system.
Q: Do clogged gutters really cause damage?
A: When leaves and debris accumulate in Vancouver gutters, no matter how small the obstruction might be, the draining capacity of your gutter system is reduced. Clogs can cause water to overflow, discolouring the walls, seeping into cracks or flooding the basement. Because clogged gutters don’t drain properly, standing water can create an ideal environment for breeding mosquitoes.
Q: How often should I clean my gutters?
A: It depends on the area in which you live and how many trees on your property are close to your home. If trees deposit a lot of leaves or needles on the roof, gutters should be cleaned twice a year, once in the spring and then again in the autumn, after the leaves have fallen or trees have shed their needles. Your gutter system should be cleaned at least annually.
Q: What size of downspout do you recommend?
A: Most homes and many commercial properties use 2 x 3 downspouts with a standard 5 inch gutter system. However, other factors such as annual amount and quality (heavy, medium, etc.) of rainfall might determine if you require a larger size downpipe or wider gutters.
Siding
Q: Does a home need siding?
A: A home without siding needs painting about every 5 years. Siding, including types of wood siding like cedar and shingles, typically do not need to be painted, cutting down on the time you will spend maintaining your home.
Q: How much does siding cost?
A: The total cost of installing new siding on your home depends on several factors such the condition of the existing walls, fees for any applicable local permits, and the need for new insulation. The four key influences on how much siding will cost are: the type of siding being installed, the height of the structure, the complexity of the design and the total square footage.
Q: Is vinyl siding better than aluminum siding or cedar siding?
A: Each type of siding material has its pros and cons. Considerations such the appearance you want to achieve, the style of your home and budget should also be determining factors. At MHC Gutters, we offer siding in vinyl, cedar, shingles and concrete board, in addition to recommendations as to which siding installation solution would be best for you.
Q: What is concrete board?
A: Concrete board is made from recycled wood fibers mixed with concrete. As a siding material, it is exceptionally strong; as a recycled product, it can be made to look like cedar shakes, wood grain or stone, but at a much lesser cost.
Q: Can siding be installed anytime year-round?
A: Generally yes. Some exceptions would include high winds and other climatic conditions that would inhibit the installation process.
Q: What is involved if I want siding installed on my home?
A: At MHC Gutters, the process begins with a free estimate. We will assist you in determining your requirements, address any concerns you might have and show you your siding options. We offer competitive prices on all siding materials. We will clearly explain the process and outline what you can expect before, during and after the installation.
Q: How long does it take to have siding installed?
A: Siding for a residential dwelling can take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on the size of the home, complexity of the project, etc.
Leaf Guard
Q: What kind of leaf guard system do you offer?
A: We offer the Gutter Clean System and T-Rex by Alu-Rex.
Q: How does it work?
A: Configured with 312 perforations every foot, it is designed to let rainwater into the gutters while repelling debris from the surface of the leaf guard.
Q: Can the Alu-Rex system be installed on my existing gutters?
A: Yes, it can.
Q: Will the leaf guard system alter the appearance of my house?
A: No, it will be hidden from view.
Q: If I use a leaf guard system, do I still have to clean my gutters?
A: MHC Gutters installs top quality leaf-guard systems that do cut down on the time and money it takes to maintain your gutters. However, you should plan to visually inspect your gutters once every 12 to 18 months to ensure they are entirely free of debris and haven’t been dented of damaged in some other way.
