Gutter Cleaning is Essential for a Healthy Home

With so much rain and wind this past week, every homeowner’s favorite job is officially here. 

While raking is probably the first task that comes to mind, it’s actually gutter maintenance that tops my list. While it’s nice to make the yard look neat and tidy, ignoring your gutters can actually be hazardous for your home. As leaves and other autumn debris fall onto your roof and down into your gutters, it builds up over time. When winter approaches, this buildup can contribute to the formation of ice dams, a heavy mass of ice that settles on the edge of your roof where your gutters are installed.

The main job of a gutter is to create a pathway for water to move away from your house and through a downspout to deposit in a safe place away from your home’s foundation. This system is vital because it ensures that water can flow freely and not cause leaks in your roof, attic, and walls. 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 both costly to repair and entirely preventable.

I always recommend giving your gutters a good clean now and to check again before the snow comes. I get lots of calls to clean gutters and install gutter guards this time of year, but if you’re handy and comfortable on a ladder, you can do it yourself too. Here are a few tips.

First, you’ll need a ladder, a lawn bag or bucket, a small hand rake (or scoop), 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, clogging it up and leaving 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 depositing 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 on the ground. 

While you’re making your way around the house, check for any gutter damage, looking for sections that could come 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 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. 

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.

Find The Right Pro for the Job

With any home remodeling project, one of the most daunting parts is finding the right expert for the job. You want to find someone who is local, reputable, and will give you a good fair price, which can be tough when so many people are looking for help around the house. So where do you start? Here are my top tips for finding a good match for your renovation plans.

Ask for referrals.

When it comes to hiring an expert for remodeling or home repair work, you should look at it the same way you would for a doctor or an accountant. Start by asking friends, family, or co-workers for a referral, or you can also try your local building inspector or the owner of the lumberyard in your area. Additionally, every tradesperson has a network of other home professionals they deal with regularly; so if you have a plumber but need an electrician, don’t be afraid to reach out. Local Facebook groups are also a fantastic way to search for recommendations. 

Trust your gut.

When meeting with professionals, your gut feeling is as important as anything else. Home improvement is a personal process so go at it in the same way you would a first date. Do you like the solutions and options the expert provides? Does he communicate with you in a way that’s clear and concise?  Do you feel comfortable that she will do the job the way you want it done? Don’t get caught up in special deals or flashy talk, trust your instincts and go with a professional that feels more like a partner than a salesperson. A true expert will show his or her knowledge and educate you along the way.  

Don’t ask for a rough estimate. 

If you have a big job that you need done, there is no use in asking for a “ballpark figure”. Chances are that the prices quoted in the estimate will change once the contractor has a chance to understand what is specifically required. Certain things such as the condition of the property, the materials used for the job, and the personalization that you require will make up the price. Save yourself some time and confusion by making a list of what you really want before the contractors show up for the first appointment. Most professionals will give you an estimate for free so make the most of that opportunity by getting specific. Getting a good deal is important, but not if it means scrimping on quality workmanship. 

Do ask for a plan.

Understanding your costs is key, but it’s also a good idea to ask for a plan of action to ensure you are fully aware of both the process and the timeline for the job. A simple step-by-step explanation will give you the clarity you need to ensure that you and your contractor are on the same page and it will also help you plan around activities you might have going on. As a professional, I like to make sure the steps involved in a job are clearly articulated for two reasons; it gives my customers confidence in the project and it helps them understand all of the work being undertaken, especially the parts that might not be as obvious.  In my opinion, an educated customer is the best kind of customer.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob 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 www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

The 2022 Color of the Year Round-Up

Around this time, all the major paint brands and color pros choose a shade that sets the mood for the year to come. Influenced by what’s happening in the world around us as well as trends in fashion, design, and pop culture, the “Color of the Year” is chosen to give people inspiration for how to design and decorate their home for the year to come. While each major brand goes its own way, there are sometimes overlaps or themes that really set the tone for the upcoming season. Here is a sneak peek of what we will soon see in living rooms across social media, according to the big names in color. 

October Mist by Benjamin Moore

Announced on Wednesday, Benjamin Moore chose October Mist 1455, a quiet sage green that offers an anchor to a collection of 14 earthy, neutral tones. According to Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore Director of Color Marketing & Development, "October Mist 1495 and the corresponding Color Trends 2022 palette reflects an effortless harmony of colors while inspiring unique combinations for any paint project."

Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams

Soothing and subtle, Evergreen Fog SW 9130 is described as a versatile and calming green/gray that offers lived-in comfort with earthy warmth. Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, it’s a nice, sophisticated color that will age well in any type of home, making it a smart choice for someone who is interested in following trends but doesn’t want to be trapped in a “here today, gone tomorrow” design choice. Think of it like a walk in the woods on a misty autumn morning. 

Aleutian by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

All the creature comforts of home come to mind with HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ 2022 pick, Aleutian HGSW3355. Like a well-worn pair of your favorite jeans, this relaxed blue sits comfortably between warm and cool tones, making it easy to pair with other soft neutrals. After a hectic 2020 and 2021, the idea behind Aleutian was to create a sense of calm with color. HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams went a step further, developing a palette of complementary tones called the Softened Refuge Collection, with Aleutian as its foundation color. 

Breezeway by Behr

If you like the feeling of the beach but don’t want to get washed out in all blue, Behr’s 2022 Color of the Year might be for you. Called Breezeway MQ3-21, the soft green shade feels like sea glass but can easily pair with richer, warm hues for an autumn feel. Fans of more simple colorways will love the way it looks with white, gray, and natural or lighter shade wood tones. Behr, calls Breezeway "a color that welcomes a hopeful sense of renewal, restoration, and healing." However you style it, the color is fresh, relaxed, and inviting. 

With so much happening in the world today, it’s clear that interiors will look to evoke a sense of serenity that’s here to stay. What’s your favorite hue for 2022? I would love to hear from you. Message me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/odonnellbros

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.