Proactive Maintenance

Great article in Seattle Times this weekend. (Can’t believe I said that. Oh yea, it’s because it was copied from a reporter for the Denver Post.) Proactive maintenance is key to saving money as a homeowner. Something mentioned in the article is what we have recommended to homeowners for years: If you had an inspection performed when you purchased your property, find it. It is an excellent, and usually well organized, template for checking all of the elements and systems in your home. You may even find a few deficiencies that were in the report, but were forgotten in the haste of moving in and getting settled.

Gutters Revisited Before Spring Rains

Maybe you cleaned your gutters in the Fall, but now is good time to check for plugged downspouts and all downspout connections before the Spring rains arrive. A client recently reported that their crawlspace filled with water during the last heavy rain. Worse than the hassle of renting a pump to clear the crawl space was the water that the furnace ingested, causing it to break down. It doesn’t take more than one or 2 failed downspout connections to inflict misery and expense during a heavy rain. Take the time to make certain that all water is going where it is supposed to and you will save yourself considerable expense.

I have trouble justifying the expense of the systems that claim “you’ll never have to clean your gutters again”. Having observed some of these systems over time, I am not impressed. While some may work with large leaves and debris, they are ineffective and susceptible to plugging with pine needles. The same holds true for homes under large cedar trees. Perhaps your experience has been different. If you think your $5,000 investment has worked well, tell us about it. In the meantime, if you would like help cleaning and/or restoring or replacing your gutter system, we highly recommend Integrity Gutters, LLC. Wayne Whitney has been in business forever, and is an expert at evaluating existing gutter systems and making astute, cost effective recommendations and repairs. You gotta love a guy that wants to do the right thing and not just try to sell you something you don’t really need.

Integrity Gutters, LLC

Wayne Whitney, Owner

integritygutters7777@comcast.net

(206) 354-9406

When It Rains This Hard, Check Crawl Space and Gutters

It looks like today’s storm may set a rainfall record. It is the right time to take a peak in your crawl space in verify that it is draining properly. A little bit of water under your vapor barrier is to be expected, but there should not be any water accumulation on top of the plastic. After this heavy rain subsides for about a week, check the floor of your crawl space again. If you still have standing water, it will have to be addressed. It may be a simple matter of unclogging the drain line that allows water to escape. This is usually a 3″ or 4″ perforated plastic pipe located at the low point of your crawl space floor. After several years, silt may build up in this pipe causing water to back up in your crawl space. It may be cleared with a garden hose at high pressure. If that doesn’t work, it may require professional assistance.

A company we have come to rely on for their good quality work, professionalism, and fair pricing is:

 Perma-Dry Contractors 1-800-584-9118

Be aware as there are some less than reputable companies out there which seek to take advantage of the uninformed.

Gutters. If water is spilling over the side of your gutters, correct this condition immediately. Few things cause more long term headaches and expense than gutters that are neglected. Painting, siding replacement, water intrusion and subsequent framing damage, displaced soils that support your foundation……the list goes on. As unpleasant as it is, don’t wait for the rain to stop to take care of it. As with most homeowners, it is an easy item to overlook when it’s not raining.

Early Spring Clean-up

Now is the time to get those gutters cleaned and make sure downspouts are running clear. One outfit we recommend:

All Pro Services, Ron Witsil, 425-746-4829. They also do windows. They're professional, show up on time, and get the job done.