Get Your Gutters Prepped Before Autumn Leaves Fall

It may only be the second week of August, but soon we will be seeing the early signs of autumn. Do you know what that means? Every homeowner’s favorite job, leaf maintenance, is right around the corner.

Over the next two months, leaves, branches, and other debris will begin falling from the trees, onto your roof and down into your gutters, building up over time. As winter approaches, this buildup can lead to the formation of ice dams, a heavy mass of ice that settles on the edge of your roof where the gutters are installed.

The main job of a gutter is to create a pathway for water to move away from your home and through a downspout to deposit in a safe place away from your foundation. This system is vital to a home; it makes sure water can flow freely and not cause leaks in your roof, attic, and walls. But if your gutters are blocked up, the water has nowhere to go and has no choice but to flow over, creeping up into your roof shingles and down through your siding. This kind of damage is costly to repair and entirely preventable. So get your gloves on and let’s get to it.

To give your gutters a good clean you’ll need a ladder, a lawn bag or bucket, a small hand rake and a hose. Don’t be tempted to spray debris down the downspout with water; it’s likely that branches and leaves will get stuck inside, which will then clog it up and leave you with a whole new mess to deal with.  Start at the downspout opening and work your way backward, collecting gunk away from the downspout and disposing it into your bucket. Work in small sections and don’t let your bag get too heavy – it could throw you off balance and land you in the emergency room. While you’re making your way around the house, check for any gutter damage, such as sections coming loose. You want to make sure you get those fixed while the weather is good. Once you’ve finished the cleaning, you can give each section a good spray with the hose to check and make sure the water is running through and you don’t have any hidden build-up in those downspouts.

If gutter cleaning is a job you’d rather not take on, hire a contractor to complete the maintenance and then speak to them about putting gutter guards on your home. These wire or mesh overlays are installed on top of the gutter and prevent debris from entering the channel in the first place. They offer a great solution to a messy job and will provide you with peace of mind for years to come. You’ll want to get them installed now, before the first signs of autumn, to make sure your home is prepared for the onset of the fall leaves.

To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Get Rid of Roof Algae Before It Gets Rid of Your Roof

With the humidity and recent rain we’ve had, I see awful black stains forming on roofs all over town, and many homeowners are asking me what to do about it.

Roof stains aren’t pretty, but the real problem is much more than just cosmetic. The stuff that’s landed isn’t dirt or debris - it’s living, breathing algae. If left on your roof for long periods of time, it can eat at your shingles causing corrosion and eventual wood rot. As this fungus is happily munching away at your home, it’s also lowering the roof’s lifespan, tearing up your warranty, and putting a strain on your property value. With so much potential for long-term problems, I’d recommend taking a close look at your roof and getting a clean up scheduled right away. 

We’ve had our fair share of heat and humidity this summer, which makes for perfect algae breeding ground. When you think of algae, you probably think of the slimy stuff that floats in ponds or lakes and you’d be right.  The wind, birds, and other animals carry the spores from water to land, and when a spore hits a roof, you might as well have dropped it into heaven. Spores are alive and they feed off the limestone in our asphalt shingles. As long as they have something to eat and the environment stays warms and wet, they will continue to grow. This is why many roofs only see mold action on certain sides, specifically the north side which often sees the sun last and for the least amount of time.

So why does algae grow in patterns? It doesn’t, but if you see strips of growth on certain parts of your roof and not a trace in others, it’s because algae is effectively allergic to copper, zinc and galvanized metal, which is generally found in the flashing underneath the roof. 

So besides installing metal flashing here there and everywhere, what else can you do to get rid of algae?

Household bleach is a no-no. It might seem like an easy and effective easy to get rid of the problems, but the sodium content can do irreversible damage to your shingles and kill the plants that sit under the roofline. The same goes for sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as lye.

Not to worry, there are plenty of non-toxic cleaners out there that will get rid of the algae without damaging your roof. Some can take up to a year to dissolve very serious mold and mildew, but the good thing about them is that they are non-toxic and can prevent mold from coming back in the future.

I clean multiple roofs every week, so a word to the wise. Be very careful if you decide to take on this project yourself as the cleaning solutions are very slippery and can easily cause a nasty fall. If you’re not comfortable with heights or aren’t as dexterous as you used to be, call a pro to handle the job. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Key Questions Before Investing in a Fixer-Upper

For a lot of young people, a first step onto the property ladder might mean purchasing an older home that needs a bit of work. Fixer-uppers can be a great way to enter the real estate market, especially if you’re handy around the house and know a thing or two about remodeling.

But if you’re new to the game, getting swayed into paying too much for a rundown home that needs more work than it’s worth can be a real risk. Here are some things to think about before sinking your life savings into a piece of property:

Mr. Inspector

No matter what, always make sure you have an inspector look at the property and report on his or her findings. Lots of homes look perfectly fine on the outside but have expensive or even toxic damage hidden within the property. An inspector will document any issues he or she finds, and at the very least you should be able to use that information to negotiate the price with the seller. If major parts of the house such as the foundation or structural walls need replacing, or if the house has lead paint, lead pipes, or asbestos, you might want to rethink your potential purchase entirely.

Your Budget +15%

Be really clear about how much you are willing to spend to renovate your purchase into the house of your dreams, and be sure to include the cost of materials, the labor and any permits and paperwork in your estimate. Know that very few projects run to budget, so tack on an extra 15% to give yourself some breathing room. Think about what projects have to be dealt with immediately and which ones can wait. Broken stairs might need immediate attention, but the pink sink and bathtub might just grow on you – at least for the first year.

A Piece of History

Make sure you are aware of the historic status of an old home. Many people purchase houses in an area or zone that doesn’t allow the aesthetic to be changed, which could put a real damper on your dream plans. Also, know that historic restoration is much more expensive than a normal remodel, and it often requires specialists to get the job done right. Be aware of this before you buy.

Keep it Vanilla

A lot of young people buy fixer uppers with plans to remodel in a way that suits them personally. This is fine, but consider what types of projects will enhance the resale value of your home and attract a wide variety of buyers. Additionally, make sure that your remodeling plans keep your house in line with the other homes in the area. Real estate experts suggest keeping your home within 10-15% of the median sale price of other homes in your area. The last thing you want to do is spend a fortune to revamp a house and then not be able to sell it when the time is right.  

Your Crew

Once you decide on your fixer-upper, make sure you hire experts to handle each individual job. Many people are tempted to get one handyman to install the flooring, replace the electrical, and fix the plumbing as a way to save money. This usually comes back to bite the homeowner as no general contractor can be an expert at everything. Find a pro that you love and ask him or her for recommendations. Every contractor has other tradespeople that they feel comfortable introducing to their clients because they do great work. Remember, it’s their reputation on the line too.

 Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or request a call. Advice is for guidance only.