Home Design and Architecture Guide

Gutter Installation

Most people think that installing new gutters is an impossible task but in reality, with the right help and guidelines, this is something you could do. Gutters are an important factor of a home in that they provide siding and the foundation with protection. Since gutters are always exposed to the elements, they do become damaged. While some damages are easy to fix, others are so bad that new gutters need to be installed. Other times, homeowners simply replace outdated styles with new technology gutters.

If you are planning to replace your gutters, you will quickly discover that you have a wide selection from which to choose. Just keep in mind that the vinyl, snap-together type is by far the best. In addition to being maintenance free, these gutters will also fit into most budgets. Finally, unlike metal gutters that will dent, the vinyl type simply pops back out when dented. However, the best aspect of this type of gutter is that they are amazingly easy to install.

The first step is to create a map of your home prior to shopping for gutters. You will need to determine the length needed as well as the number of downspouts as well as their length. Typically, a homeowner will map the existing structure and pattern of the existing gutters and then choose downspout locations the same. You will also discover that gutters now come in a number of colors to match or coordinate with the color of your home.

Next, you will need to mark your gutter�s slope. If you find the gutter is less or equal to 35 feet, that means the high point is at one end, sloping down toward the downspout. In this case, the high point is one-inch from the top of the fascia, sloping one-quarter inch for every 10 feet. However, if the run were greater than 35-feet, then the high point would be in the middle of the run, sloping to the downspout on either side. With this scenario, the high point would still be one-inch from the top of the fascia, sloping one-quarter inch every 10 feet. What you need to do is measure one-inch from the top of the fascia on both ends, making sure to slope the gutters one-quarter inch per 10 feet, going toward the downspout in the middle. Using a chalk line, you will snap it to create your guide.

For your next step, you need to install the downspout outlets. This can be done by using a one and one-quarter, deck screw. The goal is to have the outlets set even with your chalk line to ensure the downspout attaches properly to the edge of the house. How you will need to attach the gutter hangers by fastening them to the fascia about every 24 inches. To do this, use one and one-quarter, deck screws, placing them approximately one-inch from the end of the roof. The reason is that the gutters will have better support on both ends. The gutter corners will now be attached, making sure you use the ones without a downspout and not at the end of the run.

For your next step, you will need to attach the cut gutters and end of gutter run. You can use a hacksaw to help them fit in snugly between the downspout outlet and the end of your roof. You want this to start at the middle of the downspout outlet, to the roof�s end. Once that is done, you will place the end cap, snapping the section securely into the downspout outlet. Then, the gutter will need to be hooked into the hangar. Now, the other sections will be cut so they can fit between the downspout outlets, again starting from the middle of the outlet.

Now to connect the gutter sections with the connectors, this can be done best on the ground. Simply snap the connectors onto the sections and remember if the run is less than 35-feet, the end cap will need to be attached without an outlet. For the next step of hanging the gutters, you need to get the help of a friend or two. The drainpipe will now be attached once the gutters are up. To do this, cut a piece of pipe again making sure it fits between the downspout elbow, going onto the outlet and the elbow of the downspout on the wall. The elbows will then be put onto the pipe, snapping it onto the outlet. To secure the other elbow to the wall of the home, you can use a drainpipe hanger.

Finally, you will need to install the drainpipe. To accomplish this, cut one more piece of drainpipe, again making it to fit between the elbow and wall, placing about one-foot above ground level. The drainpipe will then be snapped into the elbow�s top portion, attaching second elbow to the bottom section. With another drainpipe hanger, fasten it to the lower portion of the elbow. Then, as a way of funneling the water away from the home�s foundation, you want to cut a piece of pipe.

Gutter Roof Protection

Roof is part of home that protects your home and all the things inside the home from the rain and heat of the sun. Since the roof is important to protect your home, you should give the best maintenance for your roof. The common problem in dealing with the roof is with the gutter cap maintenance. It happens when the gutter is dirty or full of rubbish that the water cannot flow freely into the gutter.

If you face such a problem, you can go to GutterRoof.com to get the best gutter protection. Gutter Roof is a company that has been manufacturing and distributing gutter guard for more than 15 years. They are the leader in the home improvement industry that brings new ideas and high dedication to give the best services to the clients.

The gutter roof product from this company is using metal domed system. It will work the best to clean leaves and other organic debris on the roof. The concept of the gutter roof is simple that the debris falls onto the cover in which the most of it blows with the wind while the rest is rinsed off with the rain. For further information about the gutter protection, you can go to this site right away.

Roof Repairs

If you are a homeowner, chances are you are always looking for ways to save money. Having minor repairs is a common experience for all homeowners and in most cases issues can be solved on your own and for a reasonable price. The roof of any home is very expensive and having a professional come to the house to make corrections can be costly. For this reason, depending on the problem, you can probably take care of things on your own.

The most common problem is a leak. If the problem is small and your roof does not have a steep pitch to it, you can probably fix it on your own or with the assistance of a friend. However, if the leak is large and the roof steep, you would probably do best to call in a professional. First, get up inside the attic with a flashlight to see if there are any watermarks on the beams. This is a quick way to find out where the water is coming in. In most cases, the leak and the place to fix is about three feet above the watermark. If you are unable to find any watermarks, then you might look on the outside of the roof to see if there are any obvious problems such as a missing or loose shingle.

From the attic, if there is water coming in, you can take a three to four-inch nail and hammer it in straight up through the very location in the roof where the water comes in. Then when you go outside on the roof, you can find the tip of the nail and determine what needs to be fixed.

If your whole roof is old and worn, chances are the entire thing will need to be replaced. Unfortunately, the cost to replace a roof can run anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 and ore, depending on the size and material used. Some people will just wait as long as they can, hoping for a bad hail storm that would get them a free roof replacement through the insurance company (if you have hail coverage).

If the leak is small enough that you can fix it, you want to get all the materials up to the roof, which can be hauled up a ladder or pulled in a bucket on a pulley. Start by multiplying the length of the leaking area by the width. This number will then be divided by 100, giving you the squares that need to be fixed. The standard roofing square is the same as three bundles of shingles and one bundle of shingles will cover about 33 square feet.

Additionally, you might need to use roofing felt, which is similar to tar paper. This felt goes on top of the wood decking, covering it. This is very helpful if the leaking area is somewhat large. For the nails, you want to use one and one-quarter inch. Other materials would include a flat bar or roofing shovel, which will be used to pull the old pieces off. Then, locating the nail that you hammered into the ceiling, you will take off the old roofing, being careful not to damage anything other than the leaking area.

Put the roofing felt down over the area where the leak is located and then taking a new shingle; place it to the top, left over the area needing to be fixed. Nail it into place. Then, take the next shingle, and overlap it about two inches and nail it into place, making sure you cover the area well and evenly. Additionally the bottom of the new shingle should overlap the row directly below by about five inches. Continue with all the shingles until the entire area is covered. Once you are finished, you should not have any more trouble with a leaking roof.

Garden Ponds

There is something very magical about owning a garden pond. As you sit outdoors on your patio or deck at night, listening to the sound of the crickets and the gurgling of your pond, you feel as though you are camping somewhere deep in the country. During the day, the sound of the fountain creates a calming atmosphere to help you forget about all the worries of the day.

Garden ponds have become so popular that many homes now enjoy the ambience. In fact, the very essence of water as it trickles down over rocks is such a powerful median that homes all across the world have indoor ponds. The great thing about a water pond is that it can be as small or large as you like. If you want something small and more intimate, a nice indoor pond would be ideal. If you want something more elaborate, you could create a Japanese garden pond with lily pads and Koi fish.

Often, people who create a pond are thrilled to discover that the number of animals and birds increase, as they come to drink from the water. You might even experience butterflies and frogs, all making their way to the cool retreat. Therefore, if you want your pond to attract wildlife, be sure you use only special water treatments not to harm them.

Water ponds can be made by digging out earth and pouring concrete to setting a prefabricated liner into the hole. Most often, these ponds are about three to five feet in diameter and with the addition of a fountain, statue, some plants, rocks, and perhaps a light fixture, you have an amazing place to relax and enjoy.

If you live in an apartment or have a small yard, you can create a wonderful pond by using an old half-whiskey barrel, found at most hardware and home improvement stores. By lining the bottom with a special black, plastic liner, you can add a pump, a water fountain, a few fish and plants, and have a beautiful pond. Just be sure if creating a barrel pond on your apartment balcony that you find out first the weight restrictions.

When creating a pond in your backyard, be sure the drainage holes (if you choose to have one) always flow away from the house. The best option is to use a pump that re-circulates the water, especially if you plan to have fish in the pond. You should also use a filter to keep the water clean and make sure the pump and any lighting is submersible. By using these few things, the maintenance of the pond will decrease and the amount of time available to enjoy it will increase.

Making ponds is not a difficult task and the results are truly amazing. You will find that you spend more time outdoors away from the television just to watch the fish and listen to the sound of the water.