Do Gutter Alternatives Really Work?

Are you ready to take the next step toward protecting your home from water damage? Gutters are a great way to do this, but they aren’t the only way. Let’s look at some gutter alternatives!

Are there any alternatives to gutters?

Are gutters the only way to protect your home? Not necessarily! If you don’t like the way gutters impact the appearance of your home, or if you’re uncertain about the upfront expensive of gutters, here are some gutter alternatives:

Rain Chains

  • Pros: They are effective in directing water away from your home and many homeowners find them aesthetically pleasing.
  • Cons: They can be difficult to install and can cause roof damage in the winter because ice weighs them down and puts strain on the roof.

Rain Dispersal Systems

  • Pros: They are custom made for your home and installation is quick and easy. Additionally, leaves and debris don’t get trapped like they do in gutters.
  • Cons: Often homeowners find they need to install a ground gutter around their home in addition to the rain dispersal system to help trap water and move it away from the home. Rain dispersal systems can lead to significant puddles.

Grading

  • Pros: They are good for protecting your home on a budget, especially if you don’t get heavy rains year around.
  • Cons: They aren’t a permanent solution. You will have to regrade every so often which ultimately makes this a more expensive and time-consuming option. Grading also requires tearing up landscaping around your home which isn’t always ideal.

Drip Edge

  • Pros: With a drip edge, water won’t run down the side of your home or land close to the foundation and is a relatively inexpensive to your already existing gutters.
  • Cons: They can be difficult to install and end up causing significant damage if installed incorrectly.

Ground Gutters or French Drain

  • Pros: These can be hidden so they won’t affect the appearance of your home. They do a great job of protecting your siding and foundation, and freezing is generally not an issue.
  • Cons: They can be very costly and timing consuming to install.

Drip Path

  • Pros: Drip paths are installed in the ground, so it won’t impact the appearance or your home or damage your home during installation. They are effective in moving water away from your home.
  • Cons: It can be difficult to get the slope right which means rainwater would pool and cause damage to the foundation of your home.

Built-in Gutters or Hidden Gutters:

  • Pros: These require less maintenance than traditional gutter and don’t interfere with the appearance of your home.
  • Cons: Because they are hidden, many homeowners forget to clean them out, which means they won’t be able to direct water away from your home. They are difficult to install and a more expensive option.

Are gutter alternatives worth it?

It depends on your budget and how much time you want to dedicate to this project. Typically, alternatives are more time consuming and end up being just as expensive, if not more expensive in the long run.

If you want the project done quickly and have it last for decades, go with seamless gutters. They’re a more straightforward option. While you can install gutters yourself, hiring a professional will save you the most time and money in the long run.  

Call Good to Go Gutters today!

We’ve been installing gutters in the south metro for over 20 years. Give us a call! We’d be happy to answer your questions, and we’ll provide you with a free estimate and quote. We’ll treat your home as if it’s our own, giving you the best quality possible!

Best way to get an Estimate for Gutter Installation

The quickest and easiest way to get an estimate for gutter installation on your home is to call companies for a free estimate. There are quite a few gutter installation companies, so how do you know which one to go with? Here are a few commonly asked questions to help you decide:

How do I get an estimate?

While a google search will reveal gutter installation companies near you, you can’t get an estimate just by looking at their website because each home is different. Prices will vary based on the size of your home and the materials you use. You won’t be able to obtain a true quote unless a company comes to your home and measures.

What’s the difference between an estimate and a quote?

Estimates can be given over the phone. It’s a rough idea of the cost based on things like the general size of your home (one story or two stories) and the type of gutter you’re interested in. A quote is the actual cost that a gutter installer will give you after they have measured your home in person. Both estimates and quotes should be free of charge.

How do I choose a company?

It’s probably a good idea to call two or three places to make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you talk to them, make sure to ask these five questions.

It’s a great idea to go with a local contractor because they can’t run away after the job is done. If you have any issues with your gutters, you want to be able to easily contact your installers and get the job corrected.

What all goes into the cost?

The cost of gutter installation isn’t just the price of the gutter themselves. It also includes things like downspouts, screws, hangers, other installation materials, and labor.

I have my estimate/quote, now what?

You may not want to go with the cheapest option. If you go with the cheapest option, you may end up with cheap materials, poor customer service, and a job not done efficiently or correctly.

Can’t I just do it myself?

Getting a quote by yourself can be tricky. It’s easy to miscalculate if don’t know exactly what to measure or forget to add in the cost of supplies. Measuring a home for installation is more than guesswork; it takes careful measurements and a bit of math too! Experts will be able to produce a quote quickly and accurately.

Call Good to Go Gutters Today!

Good to Go Gutters has been installing gutters in the south metro area for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on having developed a reputation for being honest and getting the job done right, and we promise, “No sag, no leak as long as you live in your home.” Give us a call today for your free estimate!

How to Protect Your Flower Beds Against Washout

Are you spending these warm spring days planting flower beds and landscaping? If so, washout is one of the last things you want to see happen. Thankfully, there are several ways to protect your flower beds against washout.

What is washout?

Washout is the sudden erosion of soil caused by a gush of water, usually occurring during a heavy downpour of rain or other stream flooding.

If you’ve spent time planting flower beds and landscaping, you don’t want to see all that hard work washout in the rain. There’s no reason to avoid planting flower beds along your house though. Here are a few preventive measures you can take to protect your flower beds:

Mulch can protect your flower beds

Mulch is a great way to keep your flowers in place. However, if the mulch isn’t heavy enough, it will end up washing away with your flowers. Hardwood mulches are heavier and therefore less likely to wash away compared to pine mulch.

If you are using mulch already and your flower beds are still washing away, consider a heavier mulch or one of the below options.

Add a border to your flower beds

Consider using stone, wood, plastic, or rubber to create a border around your flower beds. Make sure the border is a few inches higher than your beds to help keep your landscaping in place. You could also dig a small trench around your flower beds, but this doesn’t look as appealing as a physical border.

Install gutters to protect your flower beds

Gutters are the best way to protect your flower beds against washout because their main job to direct water away from your home. Gutters may seem like the most expensive option, but other preventive measures won’t last nearly as long, and they don’t come with as many benefits.

It’s possible to install gutters yourself but be careful not to make these five costly mistakes if you choose to DIY.

Downspouts are essential to protecting your flower beds

Downspouts are an important part of gutter installation because they assist in helping the gutters direct water away from your home. If the downspout isn’t carrying the water far enough away from your home, you may end up with washed-out flower beds anyway, so be sure to place the downspouts strategically.

Gutters protect more than flower beds

If you’re weighing the pros and cons of installing gutters, here are some other benefits gutters offer:

  • Protect your home’s foundation
  • Ward off mold and mildew growth
  • Keep mosquitos and other infestations away
  • Prevent your siding from rotting

Call Good to Go Gutters today

Good to Go Gutters is an expert in gutter installation in the Twin Cities. We’d love to help you protect your flower beds and your home for years to come. Give us a call today for your free estimate!

Will Gutters Keep my Basement From Flooding?

Are you weighing the pros and cons of installing gutters this spring? Gutters are a helpful addition to your home because they protect your home from water damage and increase the longevity of your foundation and siding. Gutters will even keep your basement from flooding.

How do gutters keep my basement from flooding?

Gutters have one job: to direct water away from your home. Without gutters, water will collect around your house and lead to thousands of dollars of damage to your home, including your basement. Standing water in your basement is an unpleasant mess to deal with.

Installing gutters is a great way to protect your basement and your family from mold, mildew, and water damage. However, installing gutters isn’t a one-and-done scenario. Most gutters need to be regularly maintained. If you allow debris to collect in the gutters, they won’t be able to do their job.

We recommend installing seamless gutters to keep your basement from flooding because they require much less maintenance than traditional gutters and do not clog as easily since there are fewer seams.

Are gutters really worth it?

If you’ve just finished purchasing a new home, you likely aren’t looking for ways to spend more money. Gutters may seem like something you can save until later but installing them as soon as you move in will end up saving you money in the long run. It’s much cheaper to install gutters now and take preventive measures for your home rather than deal with the countless, expensive repairs down the road.

Not only do gutters keep your basement from flooding, they also:

  • Protect your home’s foundation
  • Ward off mold and mildew growth
  • Keep mosquitos and other infestations away
  • Prevent your siding from rotting

Call Good to Go Gutters Today!

Installing gutters is the first step to protecting your basement, but if they are not installed correctly, they won’t be able to do their job. It’s important to have your gutters and downspouts installed professionally to avoid costly mistakes.

Give us a call and we’ll be happy to walk you through the process and provide you with a free estimate! We guarantee, “no sag, no leak as long as you live in your home.”

How Much do Gutters Cost on a New Home?

Depending on where you look, you’re going to see a wide range of prices for how much gutters cost on a new home. The pricing is based on things like your location, the type of gutter you want, and the size of your home.

Type Determines How Much Gutters Cost

Gutters come in five different materials and two common shapes: the k-style and half-round. Gutters are made from aluminum, copper, steel, zinc, and vinyl.  

Aluminum is the most popular choice because it is often the least expensive option. It won’t rust, comes in a variety of colors, and lasts for decades.

Steel holds up in all types of weather, but it is prone to rust, unless coated in aluminum or zinc. They are not easy to install yourself and are a more expensive option.

Zinc is durable and won’t rust or fade. However, it is more expensive and not easy to install yourself.

Copper is a beautiful option that is extremely durable in all weather types, but it’s substantially more expensive and not easy to install yourself.

Vinyl is another popular choice because it isn’t very expensive. It can be painted, installs easily, and doesn’t corrode or rust. Keep in mind, it is not as durable as metal and is prone to cracking in cold weather.

So, How Much do They Cost?

Each home is different, so we can’t tell you how much installing gutters will cost for your home. There are many variables that affect the cost:

Height – the heights that we have to scale to install a gutter span impact the pricing. The lower your rooflines are, the less expensive those spans will be.

Leaf guards – leaf guards are an optional component to your seamless gutters. Keep in mind that leaf guards help reduce the maintenance needed for your gutters. They can be well worth the expense!

Design of the home – the layout of the home has an impact on the cost of the gutters. A simpler design with fewer rooflines will require fewer gutter spans and will thus cost less. More elaborate designs that require more corners, downspouts, and overall spans will increase the costs.

Distance – the longer the spans, the greater the cost.

Type of gutter – we offer both five-inch and six-inch seamless gutters. The benefit of six-inch gutters is that they carry 50% more water. This means that there is more water controlled and managed. Six-inch gutters cost an average of 25% to 30% more than five-inch gutters. Five-inch gutters tend to be our most popular option.

Call Good to Go Gutters Today

With all this information, it’s hard to know what to choose and where to begin. That’s where we come in!

The simplest way to learn the gutter cost on a new home is to give us a call! Good to Go Gutters promises quality work and a quick turnaround time. Now is the perfect time to contact us for your free estimate.

Do Seamless Gutters Extend the Life of Your Siding?

Seamless gutters are a smart addition to your home because gutters protect your home’s siding. If taken care of properly, your siding will last decades. Installing seamless gutters is a great way to increase the longevity of your siding.

How do gutters protect your siding?

Gutters direct water away from your home. Water can be very damaging to your siding. If rainwater runs along the siding of your house it can cause rot, deterioration, or mold. Gutters are an excellent way to prevent all of these things. As your siding gets water-logged, it will begin to pull away from your house and will cause further damage to your home.  

Too much water on your siding can lead to paint damage and staining as well. This decreases the curb appeal of your home and creates more work for you.

What else do gutters protect?

While protecting your home’s foundation is a huge deal, gutters do much more than that!

  • They protect your basement from flooding. Again, because gutters guide water away from the house, rainwater doesn’t stand a chance of getting into your basement. Trust us, you don’t want to deal with water damage to your basement walls, floor, and furniture!
  • They prevent mold and mildew growth. If your foundation (or siding) sits damp for too long or has too much exposure to water, mold and mildew will start to grow.
  • They keep mosquitos and other infestations away. Gutters, and specially downspouts, direct the water away from your house to your grass or garden where the water can be readily absorbed. Mosquitos and other insects love standing water. Don’t let you home be a breeding ground!
  • They prevent erosion. The soil around your home protects the foundation from damage. If the soil gets too much water exposure, it will gradually wear away and your foundation will become exposed and damaged.

Are your gutters working properly?

Installing gutters is the first step to protecting your home’s siding, but if they are not installed correctly, they won’t be able to do their job. It’s important to have your gutters installed professionally to avoid these costly mistakes. It’s also important to regularly clean out debris from your gutters. Installing seamless gutters is a viable option because they require less maintenance.

Call Good to Go Gutters today!

Don’t let your house get damaged! Install gutters today so that your home can be lasting and beautiful for years to come!

I just bought a new home. Do I have to install gutters?

Gutters are probably the last thing you’re thinking about when you’re going through the process of buying a home. There are many decisions to make and excitement around all the aspects of a new home – who cares about installing gutters, right?

After a few rainfalls, you’ll quickly realize someone forgot to install gutters. Why didn’t your builder install gutters? Wasn’t it up to them? Installing gutters may seem like a given, but often builders do not include gutter installation in their contracts because they are anxious to get on to the next build.

How can I get gutters on my home?

If gutter installation was not included in your contract with your builder, it is your responsibility to install them. The quickest way to install gutters and ensure they are done correctly is to hire a professional. There are DIY options, but that can lead to costly mistakes. If you’re going to opt for DIY, make sure you avoid these common mistakes!

Why should I install gutters?

Gutters direct water away from your house which is important. They protect the foundation of your home, prevent erosion, protect your landscaping, and prevent basement flooding. They will prevent staining to the exterior of your home, mitigate paint damage, and stop mold and mildew growth.

Gutters may seem like an unnecessary add-on, but they are worth the cost in the long run. It’s more cost effective to install gutters rather than repair and replace your home’s foundation, siding, and more.

What kind of gutters should I choose?

There are many options for gutters. Although it can be tempting to choose the cheapest option, they likely will not last as long. We recommend using aluminum seamless gutters. Seamless gutters are custom cut for each home. They have fewer joints than sectional gutters. With fewer joints, the risk of clogs and backups is reduced.

Choosing Good to Go Gutters to install gutters

The best way to go is to hire a professional to get the job done quickly and correctly. Good to Go Gutters offers a lifetime warranty for as long as you live in your home, so you’ll never have to worry about your gutters again. Give us a call today to set up a time for a free consultation and quote.

Do Gutters Protect a Home’s Foundation?

Simply, yes. Gutters are an excellent way to protect your home’s foundation. Think about it this way: it’s much cheaper to install gutters as a preventative measure rather than dealing with the overwhelming costs of fixing your foundation after it receives too much water damage.

Are Gutters Really Necessary?

Gutters direct water away from your home. If you don’t have a gutter system, then water runs off your roof and directly touches the siding. Gutters keep the water off your siding. Without a gutter, you’ll see cracks and other damage start to form on your home’s foundation. This can be very costly to fix. Gutters may seem like an unnecessary expense up front, but they will protect your home’s foundation and ultimately save you a lot of money down the road.

What Else do Gutters Protect?

While protecting your home’s foundation is a huge deal, gutters do much more than that!

  • They protect your basement from flooding. Again, because gutters guide water away from the house, rainwater doesn’t stand a chance of getting into your basement. Trust us, you don’t want to deal with water damage to your basement walls, floor, and furniture!
  • They prevent mold and mildew growth. If your foundation or siding sits damp for too long or has too much exposure to water, mold and mildew will start to grow.
  • They keep mosquitos and other infestations away. Gutters, and especially downspouts, direct the water away from your house to your grass or garden where the water can be readily absorbed. Mosquitos and other insects love standing water. Don’t let your home be a breeding ground!
  • They prevent erosion. The soil around your home protects the foundation from damage. If the soil gets too much water exposure, it will gradually wear away and your foundation will become exposed and damaged.
  • They prevent siding damage. Too much water on your siding can lead to rotting, paint damage, or staining. This decreases the curb appeal of your home and creates more work for you.

Call Good to Go Gutters Today

Don’t let your house get damaged from a lack of gutters. Let us help you install gutters today so that your home can be lasting and beautiful for years to come! Call Good to Go Gutters today for a free estimate!

What is the Seamless Gutters Cost for 2021?

Chances are, if you’re putting new gutters on your home the first question you’re going to ask is: “What’s the seamless gutters cost for 2021?” Cost is an important factor in decision making.

What are Seamless Gutters?

Seamless gutters are gutters without seams. Traditional gutters come in sections, and seams are created as the pieces are assembled. Seamless gutters only have seams at the corners.

Gutters with seams have a higher potential for leaking, especially as they expand and contract in our extreme Minnesota temperatures. Seamless gutters can endure the temperature fluctuations better.

So, How Much do They Cost?

Each home is different, so we can’t tell you how much installing gutters will cost for your home. In general, our seamless gutter installation jobs typically run between $800 and $2,500. It’s a pretty wide range because there are many variables that affect the cost:

  • Height – the heights that we have to scale to install a gutter span impact the pricing. The lower your rooflines are, the less expensive those spans will be.
  • Leaf guards – leaf guards are an additional optional component to your seamless gutters. Keep in mind that leaf guards help reduce the maintenance needed for your gutters. They can be well worth the expense!
  • Design of the home – the layout of the home has an impact on the cost of the gutters. A simpler design with fewer rooflines will require fewer gutter spans and will thus cost less. More elaborate designs that require more corners, downspouts, and overall spans will increase the costs.
  • Distance – the longer the spans, the greater the cost.
  • Type of gutter – we offer both five-inch and six-inch gutters. The benefit of six-inch gutters is that they carry 50% more water. This means that there is more water controlled and managed. Six-inch gutters cost an average of 25% to 30% more than five-inch gutters. Five-inch gutters tend to be our most popular option.

Are Seamless Gutters Worth it?

We get it, $800 to $2500 is a big chunk of money, but the return on investment is worth the seamless gutters cost. If you’re going to spend the money installing gutters anyway, why not spend a little more on something that will last longer?

  • Seamless gutters require less maintenance than other gutters (meaning less money down the road).
  • They last longer than other gutter options (again, less money down the road).
  • They are custom built to fit your home perfectly, creating a beautiful and well-cared-for exterior.

Call Good to Go Gutters

Don’t wait any longer to install seamless gutters on your home. Now is the perfect time!

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Gutter Installer

Hiring people to work in (or on) your home is a big deal, and gutter installation is no exception. Your home is your personal space, and you don’t want just anyone walking around your property. Here are five questions to ask before hiring a gutter installer:

Will I be able to identify all your workers, and are they all insured?

Again, you don’t want just anyone walking around your property. It’s important you know exactly who is coming and going.

  • With Good to Go Gutters, you will be able to identify us because we’re a small team of 12 guys.
  • We work full-time, we aren’t subcontractors, which means there won’t be any confusion as to who is ultimately responsible for your job.
  • Our workers are insured so you won’t be held liable for any injuries that may happen on the job.

Do you install seamless gutters, and how do you fasten gutters to the home?

Choosing between seamless or sectional gutters can have a big impact on your gutter’s effectiveness and longevity. Good to Go Gutters only uses seamless gutters because seamless gutters require less maintenance and generally last longer than other options. 

We hang our gutters with screws because they are more reliable than nails. Screws don’t pull out over time or corrode.

Can you give me a quote over the phone?

Nope! And, if a gutter installation company tries to give you a quote over the phone you can know they aren’t very reputable or trustworthy. Because gutters are custom built for your home, we can’t give you an accurate quote until we’ve come out and measured the length of your roofline.

With Good to Go Gutters, we give free estimates over the phone, then we come to your house to measure and give a quote. You won’t have to pay anything until you’re ready to commit to the job.

How long will the job take?

When hiring a gutter installer, you want to make sure the job isn’t taking up too much of your own time, and you want to know how to prepare.

We make sure our clients get a quote from us the same day that we measure. After we receive the deposit for the work, it will take about two to four weeks for us to get to your house, depending on the waitlist. Once we are at your home, it usually takes a couple of hours to get the gutters installed.

Are you a local gutter installer?

Choosing a local gutter installation company is a great idea because local businesses don’t just run away after the job is “done”. If you have any issues with your gutters, you want to be able to easily contact your installers and get the job corrected.

Good to Go Gutters has been installing gutters in the south metro area for over 20 years. Most of our work is through word-of-mouth referrals. We pride ourselves on having developed a reputation for being honest and getting the job done right. We don’t cut corners. While mistakes are rare, we’re upfront about it and make sure it gets fixed right away. We believe in treating each home like it’s our own. We aren’t done until the finished product is something the homeowner can be proud of. And we promise, “No sag, no leak as long as you live in your home.”

Call Good to Go Gutters

Don’t wait to give your home beautiful gutters and protect it for years to come. Give us a call today!