Good to go gutters

When is the Best Time to Install Gutters?

Gutters tend to take a back seat when it comes to home improvement projects, especially if you aren’t sure which time of year is best to install them.

We know, the warm months pass so quickly, then we’re back to winter and the ice builds up and that’s when you remember you never got around to installing new gutters. Time goes so quickly!

What Time of Year is Best?

It may depend on the condition of your gutters. If they’re leaking or rusty, you should get the job done as soon as you can. You will definitely want to get it done before the spring rains come.

Remember, damaged gutters (or a lack of gutters) can cause serious problems to the foundation of your home, exterior, roof, and landscaping.

If your gutters are in okay shape but you’re looking to upgrade your traditional gutters for seamless gutters, then you could wait until summertime.

Summer is Popular Time to Install Gutters

Summer is a great time to install new gutters because the weather is warm and predictable, the rainy days of spring are behind us, and the autumn leaves have not yet begun to collect in the gutters.

However, summer is the busiest time of year to install gutters. If you want to beat the rush and ensure your gutters are installed this year, we recommend springtime.

Early Spring is the Best Time to Install Gutters

While we do install gutters year-round (yes, even in the winter!), our schedule is typically shower in early spring. That means, right now is the best time for you to install new gutters!

The snow is quickly melting, and the spring rains have not yet started. Right now (this month of March) is a great time to have your new gutters installed because the waitlist is short and the weather is perfect.

Don’t wait until the rain comes and you hear those leaking gutters. Give us a call today for your free estimate!

Are Your Gutters Ready for the Spring Thaw?

We’re all happy to be out of the polar vortex and on to warmer, sunny days. Are you ready for the big melt and the spring rain, or, more importantly, are your gutters?

As lovely as spring is, it can be detrimental to your home if your gutters are not ready to handle all the water. You can easily prevent flooding and damage to your home’s foundation and exterior if you take these steps to prepare:

Get Your Gutters Ready

If you haven’t already, consider deicing your gutters. Click here to learn how to deice your gutters.
Make sure all the build up and debris is cleared out of your gutters to avoid leaks and damage to your home.

Install Seamless Gutters

In order to make sure you’re truly ready for the spring thaw, we recommend trading out your traditional gutters for seamless gutters. Many traditional gutters cannot withstand the weight and wear of winter and the spring thaw, but seamless gutters can!

Seamless gutters hold more weight than traditional gutters. You won’t have to worry about the amount of ice and debris in your gutters because seamless gutters can handle it.

Seamless gutters don’t require as much maintenance. Tired of climbing on your ladder to dig out the soggy leaves? Without the joints and seams of traditional gutters, debris won’t clog up your gutters.

Seamless gutters aren’t prone to leaking. Because they have fewer joints than traditional gutters, they are less likely to leak.

Seamless gutters are customized to fit your home perfectly without any gaps. And more than that, they are attractive and give your home a truly seamless look.

Call Good to Go Gutters

If you haven’t made the switch to seamless gutters, call us today for a free estimate. We don’t want the spring thaw to lead to damage to your home. Quality, seamless gutters is one of the best ways you can protect your home for years to come.

5 Common DIY Gutter Installation Mistakes

Who doesn’t want to save a few bucks when they can? Like many home improvement projects, gutter installation is tempting to DIY, but these projects often lead to costly mistakes and even injuries. Here are five common mistakes we see when homeowners attempt to install their own gutters:

1. Choosing the Wrong Gutter Type

Gutters are not one-size-fits-all. The design of your house and its location determines the style and size of the gutters. Keep in mind, the steeper your roof pitch and the more rain your city receives, the larger your gutters need to be.

Because each home is unique, gutters come in a variety of sizes and materials. Gutters range from a traditional half-round option which requires mounted hangers to install, to K-Style which are popular because they are easier to install and hold more water than other types.

Common materials are aluminum (easy to install and cost effective), copper (long lasting but more expensive), and zinc (costs a little more than aluminum but lasts twice as long). Note: vinyl isn’t a great option for us living in Minnesota. Although it is easy to install and more affordable than other options, it doesn’t hold up well in cold weather.

We recommend seamless gutters because they have fewer joints, require less maintenance, and are less likely to suffer from leaks.

2. Incorrectly Positioning Your Gutters

Taking the roof pitch, forward tilt, and hanger spacing into account can be tricky. Make sure your gutter hangers aren’t spread too far apart (no more than two feet for cold climates) otherwise they will sag. You’ll also need to ensure your pitch isn’t too steep (water will overflow) and not too low (water will pool).

3. Incorrect Installation of Downspouts

Downspouts lead water away from the house. If they aren’t installed properly, water can leak into the foundation and even damage the façade. Install downspouts so that they divert water at least eight feet away from your home’s foundation.

4. Improper Gutter Seams

Gutter segments are held together with caulk which forms a seam. Seams are the weakest part of the gutter, and it’s where leaks and clogs often occur. Keep the seams to a minimum to ensure long lasting gutters!

5. Damage and Injuries During Gutter Installation

There are various ways to damage gutters during installation, and worse, poor installation can lead to water damage for your home. You may end up spending twice as much because you have to buy new supplies and redo your work. On top of that, ladders are dangerous, especially when you need to carefully maneuver something like gutters.

We’re here to help!

Gutter installation takes a skilled professional to get the job done correctly the first time. We’ll offer you great deals, amazing service, and gutters that make your home look beautiful. We’ll give you a peace of mind because your gutters will be installed correctly and your home will be protected.

We offer free estimates and consultations, so give Good to Go Gutters a call today!

How to Choose the Right Gutter Color

Choosing the right gutter color is an important decision. The good news is, there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. We want you to have a beautiful home you love, so the choice is yours!

That being said, there are three main options for color choice: match the roof, siding, or trim. Gutters aren’t usually the place to introduce a new accent color. Before selecting which part of the exterior you want to match, consider these things:

What Does your Neighborhood Look Like?

Are you a part of a homeowner’s association? Are there certain guidelines for the outside appearance of your house? Do you live in a sub-division?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then your decision might be made for you. Go with what you see around you or what is required. If not, then choosing your color based on the siding is a good way to go.

Siding is Safest for Gutter Color

If you want your gutters to blend in with your house, we recommend choosing the color that matches your siding. This will create a seamless look and not interfere with the exterior appearance. The gutters will serve their purpose without getting in the way visually.

Match Gutter Color with the Trim

Can’t find a color that matches the siding? Go with the trim instead. Because the gutters run against the trim of the house, they won’t be too obvious, but they will be more prominent than if they match the siding.

Matching the Roof is a (Recommended) Last Resort

Matching your gutters to the color of your roof is a viable option because the gutters will look like a natural part of the roofline rather than a border. However, this isn’t our most recommended option since roofs often starkly contrast the siding of the house.

What About Brick Homes?

Since you can’t match your gutters with the siding, brick homes can be tricky. While you could still choose to match the roof or the trim, it is recommended to match the color of your garage door for a truly seamless and cohesive look.

Whatever you choose we’re here to support you and give you the beautiful home you deserve!

Call Good to Go Gutters

Give Good to Go Gutters a call today. We offer free estimates and consultations and have a quick turn-around time.

How to Deice your Gutters

You’ve spent time and money installing your gutters and making the exterior of your home look beautiful. We don’t want all that hard work to go to waste because of a harsh Minnesota winter. Take the time to deice your gutters before it’s too late!

Because we’re a local business, we know this winter weather well. We also know the negative impacts frozen gutters can have on your home.

For example, frozen gutters make it impossible for rain and melting snow and ice to drain away from your house. This can lead to even more problems in the future. Frozen gutters become weighed down with ice and can detach from your home and even fall to the ground.

It’s necessary to deice your gutters, and it’s something you can do yourself without too much time or money!

Although it may be tempting to take an axe to the built-up ice, avoid doing so. Hammers, axes, shovels, and hatchets will damage your gutters. You will also want to avoid using rock salt. This can corrode your gutters and harm plants and foliage below.

Instead, here are a few effective methods to keep your gutters free of debris and ice and lasting for years to come:

1. Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride is an inexpensive and easy way to deice your gutters. Simply sprinkle handfuls into your gutters and let it do the work for you. The ice will melt in as little as twenty minutes.

2. Hot Water

A far more time-consuming option, but an option, nonetheless, is to use hot water. If you can run a hose from a hot water source, you’re in great shape. Otherwise, you may be making countless trips with watering cans and pitchers of hot water.

3. Stocking Method

You can also try the foolproof stocking method: Using nylon stockings or pantyhose, cut the legs away from the waist and fill each leg with calcium chloride. Tie off each end and place the stocking legs in your gutters. These stockings can also go over your downspout opening too.

4. Prevent

One of the best things you can do is prevent the ice from forming at all. Keeping your gutters free of debris will prevent them from icing in the winter.

Call Good to Go Gutters Today

If there’s one thing we know, it’s gutters. And we know how costly and frustrating it can be to end up with damaged gutters in the spring because of built-up ice. It’s important to take the time to deice them so that you’re home and your gutters can maintain their excellent condition for years to come.

Good to Go Gutters is a family-run business that believes in doing the job right the first time. We offer free estimates and a quick turnaround for customers. Give us a call to set up a time for one of our experts to visit your house for a quote so you can protect the new home you’ve built.

Call 952-454-4514
freeestimates@goodtogoconstruction.com

The Best Gutters for Lennar Homes

Is Lennar Homes building your new house? Have you considered what you will do about gutter installation? Gutters aren’t usually included in new builds but they are one of the best ways to ensure your new home avoids water damage for years to come.

Will my builder include gutters on my Lennar Home?

It isn’t uncommon for a builder to not include gutters when they finish a home. Your contract will include if the builders will be installing gutters or not.

Good to Go Gutters works on Lennar Homes to install custom seamless gutters. We have worked on multiple Lennar Homes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.

Seamless Gutters

On all of the homes we work on, we exclusively use top-of-the-line aluminum gutters. With a long lifespan, aluminum will last and be a solid investment in protecting your house. They are the best choice for protecting siding and foundations from water and rain damage.

We custom cut each gutter to fit and use fewer seams where gutter sections meet. That means less chance of leaks or other problems down the road.

We offer gutters in multiple colors to complement or match your new home. We can also install downspouts and gutter guards that are easy to repair and maintain as needed.

About Lennar

After being founded in 1954, Lennar now builds family homes across the United States. They work in metropolitan areas, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs.

Lennar builds houses for any stage of life, from first homes to multigenerational homes.

Call Good to Go Gutters Today

What are Seamless Gutters and are they worth it?

Seamless gutters are one of the best ways to make sure your new home stays looking its best for years to come.

After building a new home, one of the first things you want to do is protect that investment from potential damage. Gutters with out seams are one of the best ways to make sure that rainwater and snowmelt are properly directed away from your home.

What is a seamless rain gutter?

Seamless gutters are continuous gutter systems that direct water and snowmelt away from your home’s siding and foundation. Rather than connecting multiple gutter pieces, we custom fit each piece to fit your roof perfectly. We use aluminum gutters that only have joints or miters at the corners along the roof.

Because seamless gutter have very few seams, the chance of leaks is much lower than other gutter options

How much do seamless rain gutters cost?

Every home and project is a little different, and each gutter is custom-fitted to the home. We offer free quotes and consultations if you are considering installing gutters on your home.

Are seamless gutters worth it?

Seamless gutters are not the cheapest option on the market. But they are a perfect example of getting what you pay for. Other gutter options require maintenance and regular inspections to make sure there isn’t damage at the joints.

Gutters without seams are much easier to maintain. With seams only at the corners, there is less chance that leaks will develop over time. While the material and labor do come at a higher cost, in the long run, you will save time and money with seamless gutters.

Call Good to Go Gutters

If you need gutters installed on your home, give Good to Go Gutters a call today to set up a free consultation. We offer a quick turn around and we always strive to do the job right the first time.

How much does it cost to install Gutters in Lakeville Minnesota?

Thinking of installing gutters on your new home and worried about the cost? Give Good to Go Gutters a call today to set up a free consultation.

Benefits of installing gutters

It’s hard to underestimate the benefits of properly installed and maintained gutters. Every home, no matter how new or how old, should have gutters. In recent years, many municipalities have been recognizing this and are starting to require gutters on new residential builds.

The top benefits of gutters include:

The soil around the home is stabilized
Foundation problems can be prevented
Flooding around the house and in the basement can be avoided
Erosion is preventing and landscaping is prevented
Siding is protected from water damage
Water staining can be prevented on brick and stone masonry
Sidewalks, patios, and driveways are less susceptible to settling and cracking
Exterior doors and garage overhead doors are protected

What to look for in a gutter installation company

When you are looking for a gutter installation company, you want to find a company that is going to do quality work that will last for years. Often times, you’ll get the best service from small, local businesses.

Before hiring a company, check its reputation. A good company should have the testimonials to back them up. Often you can get a good idea of their reputation from reviews left on social media.

What does it cost?

The quickest and easiest way to find out what it will cost to have gutters installed on your home is to get a free estimate.

If you are installing quality, aluminum gutters that will last for years, the biggest factor will be the size of your home and the amount of roof edging that needs to be included.

Call Good to Go Gutters

Give Good to Go Gutters a call today. We offers free estimates and consultations and has a quick turn around time.

How Seamless Gutters Protect Your Home

Gutters and downspouts can play a huge role in keeping your new home beautiful and structurally sound.

Without gutters, a number of problems can develop and cause damage.

Your home’s foundation, roof, fascia, and landscaping are all susceptible to damage if you don’t install gutters.

Water damage

It’s easy to underestimate how much water flows over a roof during a rain event. 1 inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof is approximately 600 gallons of water. All that water has to go somewhere, and you want to be able to control where it goes. Unchecked, it can cause any damage that can get worse any time it rains.

Foundations

Water running off your roof without gutters is likely to pool around the foundation and erode dirt and landscaping. As moisture saturates the soil around your home, temperature fluctuations will cause expansion and contraction. Over time the foundation can become compromised and develop cracks in the foundation and block walls.

Landscape

Any landscaping near your roof will be susceptible to damage during a rain event. Additionally, the extra water in the soil could promote the development of fungus and disease around your plants. It can also attract ants and other harmful insects.

Fascia

The fascia of your home plays a huge role in protecting the roof and your home. It prevents the structure from water entering the home. Fascia is typically made of wood and is prone to rotting. This can happen with prolonged moisture exposure from rain, snow, and ice.

Staining

As water flows off of a roof, it will cause splashback along the wall of the home. That splashback will contain particles of grass, dirt, and minerals that will buildup on your home. It won’t take much for that staining to adhere and be difficult to remove.

Protecting your home from staining with a gutter system is much easier in the long run.

If your home doesn’t have a gutter system, consider calling Good to Go Gutters to talk about how gutters could protect your home and landscaping for years to come.

Stop Basement Flooding with Gutters

If you get water in the basement every time it rains, it might be time to consider installing gutters on your home.

When basements flood

Many times when people get water in their basement, they think of treating the basement with some type of waterproofing system. While these products can be effective, they can often be expensive and don’t deal with the heart of the problem.

Water is more likely to flood basements when it can’t flow away from the home.

If water is making its way into your home, the first thing you should check is the state of your gutters. If you don’t have gutters, you may want to consider having some installed.

Installing Gutters

As water flows down your roof, it is captured by the gutter system and directed away from the house. Without gutters, water is more likely to flow along the wall of your home or fall directly alongside the foundation. From there, it is likely that it will eventually seep into the basement.

Correctly sized gutters that are kept clear of debris and downspouts direct water the correct distance away from the home. They will help ensure that the water is flowing away from the basement.

Leaf Guards

If you have multiple or large trees near your home, you may also want to consider installing leaf guards. Leaf guards prevent leaves and other debris from being carried by the water into your gutters. Gutters that are full of leaves can’t function properly and have the potential to leak.