Blog
Gutter Cleaning and maintenance. Protecting your home from water.
Why is it important?
Keeping your gutters (eavestroughs) clean and in good repair is critical to the maintenance of your home. Water is your homes biggest enemy, and can find ways into your home that you would never notice (until it is too late).
If your gutters and downspouts are clogged or dirty, water will build up and leak over your gutters into the fascia, under the shingles, onto your roof deck, and down the exterior of your home. This will lead to rot/decay, and mold growth. These become big, expensive repairs quickly.
The average homeowner should have their gutters and downspouts cleaned at least twice per year. If you or your neighbor have trees it is likely you will require it more often. Water from rain/snow melt should be able to flow freely through the gutter and downspouts and terminate from the downspouts at least 4 – 6 feet away from your home. If your downspouts terminate closer to the home you risk damage to your foundation as well.
More and more people are relying on gutter guards. These may help to reduce the amount of cleaning required, but they may also become a trap themselves. Inspection is key. Have a regular inspection performed at least once per month during spring – fall, and ensure cleaning is done as required. Check to ensure your gutters are clean, not leaking, and not damaged. Any of these issues warrant immediate attention.
Leaking frequently occurs at the seams, and can be easily repaired with the proper sealant applied so as to not obstruct the flow of water. Leaking gutters will damage your home.
Damage is often caused by wind, or clogged gutters, though other factors may cause damage as well. Most damage if caught early enough can be easily repaired. Though damage left too long may result in the need to replace the eavestrough.
Elk Valley Handyman services can inspect, clean, seal, and often repair eavestrough and downspouts. Call us today to get an inspection. We are located in Sparwood, and licensed through the entire Elk Valley. 403-363-3268.
Hot water tank maintenance
Hot water tank maintenance.
Your hot water tank is (like your furnace) out of sight, and often forgotten about. Then you start getting shorter showers, water not heating up properly, noises from the water tank etc…
Did you know….
- You should drain and flush your hot water tank at a minimum of once per year? The harder the water the more frequent the flush.
- At the same time your temperature pressure release valve should be checked for proper operation?
- You should be checking your anode rod at this time as well?
If not, you aren’t alone here. Many people completely forget about the water heater maintenance until there is a problem. Elk Valley Handyman Services can provide these services and set up a regular maintenance schedule so you don’t have to worry about remembering yourself.
Hello Elk Valley
I would like to introduce myself and my company to the Elk Valley. My name is Dean and I am the owner and handyman for Elk Valley Handyman Services. I am a retired home inspector and engineering technologist with several years of construction industry experience, as well as an IAC2 (International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants) member for mold and radon testing. I am pleased to have moved into the beautiful Elk Valley, and call Sparwood my home.
My services include all of the usual handyman services however with my home inspection experience I am also uniquely qualified to offer you home maintenance inspections (including report with photos) to help you maintain the biggest investment of your life – your home. As mentioned above I am also able to provide mold and radon testing as an experienced measurement professional.
I am fully insured, and licensed throughout the entire Elk Valley including: Elkford, Sparwood, and Fernie as well as everywhere in between. Being a fully insured business means you don’t have to worry about my work, your home or your security. I may not be the cheapest in town, but I can provide consistently professional, reliable and high quality service every time.
I will be posting here regularly on maintenance requirements and the reason they are needed, so keep checking back to learn more about the needs of your home, and some special offers as well.
I look forward to interacting with you more in the future! Take care.
Call Us: (403) 363-3268
Subscribe
Keep up to date on home maintenance needs.