"This fall and football season, Gutter Helmet is doing more than just providing quality gutter leaf guard products for your homes. We’re also having fun. That is why we have launched the 2013 Gutter Bowl—a contest that gives you the chance to win $100 VISA gift cards and the grand prize of a $500 Best Buy gift card. To join the contest, you only need to visit our Facebook page (), hit the “Like” button, and upload photos you took during a live game that fit any of three categories: “football action photos,” “photos of the best football fans,” and “anything related to football.” Facebook users will vote for the best photos, which will then be put through three playoff categories. Winners of these rounds will advance to the Gutter Bowl, where they will all get a shot at the grand prize. By the end of November, we will have crowned a champion."

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/trusted-gutter-leaf-guard-provider-hosts-2013-gutter-bowl/

"In line with the inspections, we can also perform gutter guard installation to increase the level of protection for your home. Our patented Gutter Helmet system, which features a textured and ribbed surface, can guide melted snow from the roof and down to the ground, keeping it from refreezing and getting stuck in the roof and gutters. Furthermore, if you have our product installed before the autumn ends, you will already enjoy its benefits as it will keep falling leaves and other debris from building up and clogging gutters. This also means you will no longer need to climb a ladder to clean them yourself. We can also custom-fit the gutter guard to your existing gutter system so that they will blend seamlessly and complement the style of your house."

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/professional-inspect-gutter-guard-system-winter/

"With these qualities, we are very confident that our product can provide the best gutter protection for many homes– so much so that we offer Gutter Helmet® with a lifetime transferable warranty. We are a trusted gutter protection system provider, as evidenced by the more than 80 million feet of Gutter Helmet® we have installed during our years in the business. Our product speaks for itself, and our satisfied customers support our claim of offering the #1 gutter protection system in the world."

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/strive-make-best-gutter-guards-endure-test-time/

"With our trained contractors equipping houses with a reliable gutter cap, the gutters can remain free of unwanted clutter and let your property stay clear of potential problems. Among the best protection systems in the country, our patented Gutter Helmet® helps water flow smoothly through the gutters by ensuring that debris and any matter that can clog the system stays out of it. This is done through the system's ribbed surface, which increases the surface tension so rainwater is guided into the gutters. This seamless filtering is also made possible by the 3/8-inch slit that is located below the curve or the ribbed surface, which also ensures that leaves and other materials do not block the system. Gutter Helmet® can hold up to 22 inches of rainfall in an hour, so homeowners can still rely on the system even during heavy rains. By having the system installed onto the roof, homeowners need not clean their gutters after every storm."

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/install-gutter-guards-without-affecting-roofing-warranty/

"Gutter Helmet, America's leading choice in gutter protection, has come a long way since our brand was formally introduced over 30 years ago. We are proud to look back on the last three decades, during which we earned seven design patents and numerous recognitions from various organizations in the building industry. Our success would not have been possible without the support of loyal clients, like you. This is why we strive to continuously improve our products and services to keep you coming back for more. We are more than honored to have you be a part of our company's continued growth."

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/gutter-helmet-celebrates-three-decades-providing-gutter-protection/

"At Gutter Helmet, we offer a unique rain gutter system that enables people not only to have clean and efficient gutters, but also to not risk falling off ladders when they climb these to clean their roofs. This system should prove especially helpful for elderly homeowners who try to keep their properties in tip-top shape, though it is useful for everyone trying to stay safe while seeing to the cleanliness of their gutters. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), falls are one of the top causes of unintentional injuries in our country. These falls, in turn, result in about 8.9 million visits to emergency rooms every year. NSC data also indicate that adults who are aged 55 and above are especially prone to falling. If and when they fall, it may prove harder for them to recover from their injuries, which can affect their ability to do basic household chores."

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/rain-gutter-system-can-keep-falling-ladder/

This autumn, you will have to clean out your gutters regularly if you don't want it clogging your system when winter arrives. The cold winter isn't exactly the best time to think of gutter repair and replacement. The end of autumn is the most opportune time to clear gutters and downspouts of the usual channel dregs: leaves, twigs, other seasonal debris.

You will need a ladder sturdy enough to carry your own weight. Bring a garden hose with a jet nozzle with you; it should be enough to clear off solid debris that have collected in your gutters for quite some time. You should also protect your hands from sharp debris and insects by wearing safety gloves.

Remove as many leaves, twigs, and other foliage litter by hand and place them in garbage bags. You can also use a trusty trowel to get rid of those pesky caked-in dirt. Remove the filler in your downspout and clear the area as far down as you can.

Now it's time to use the hose. Aim the jet nozzle at the surface of your gutter and spray at a diagonal angle so the splashback on your clothes and face will be minimized. You should then aim the spray along the downspout and check to see if water coming out at the bottom end is consistent with how much you're letting in. If it isn't, your downspout is clogged or has a leak.

It may not seem like it, but water actually contributes considerably to the degradation of your home, which is why water collection components like gutters and downspouts are installed onto the edges of roofs. Without gutters and downspouts, water could end up dripping down the roof's edge and along the walls, and seeping through semi-permeable surfaces like untreated wood and walls.

However, gutters are also prone to the most annoying of roofing system glitches—gutter clogs. A clogged-up gutter would fill up easily and cause water to overflow. When water overflows, gutters don't serve their purpose anymore which is to draw rainwater away from the walls of your house to prevent it from soaking or permeating into the foundations of your property.

If you can manage it yourself, get a ladder and check debris or fallen leaves collecting in your gutters and remove them. Get a bucket (or a garbage bag) and a garden trowel, and slowly scoop up all the gunk. If you're confident enough to work on your roof, you could also

use a power hose and flush some water into your gutters to clear up the blockages in your downspouts.

Gutter cleaning is best undertaken at the tail end of autumn when the trees would have shed their leaves (or during the season itself for spot cleaning), and in the start of spring when seeding begins everywhere, even in the dirt cracks inside the gutters. Install gutter guards to reduce the need to clean your gutters frequently. 

A lot of homeowners install gutter guards in their roofing system to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging their gutters. There are different types of gutter guards, and it is pays to know which one should fit right into the ones you have. The wrong cap can render the protective device useless and can cause debris build up just as effectively as a gutter without a protective cover.

A reverse curve is usually made of vinyl, plastic or aluminum and is designed with an opening to direct water downwards and allow the leaves to fall on the ground. A mesh gutter guard is a sheet layer filled with holes attached to the sides of the gutter. The small holes filter out the debris while allowing water to drain right into the gutter.

A brush gutter guard is designed with its bristles facing upright to prevent debris from entering the gutter while the water flows in the downspout. Nylon gutter guards are used more suitably in the winter to keep snow and ice from accumulating in the gutters. This type of gutter guard are designed to fit without having to be attached to the edges or to the shingles.

Foam gutter guards are made from plastic and can be cut to sit perfectly around gutter edges, and they do help block debris from accumulating in the gutter. Non-gutter covers can be actual replacements for gutters, and are designed as thin louvers to divert the rain into the proper channels toward the downspouts.

Excessive snowfall entraps residents inside their homes, and unless your homes is built to protect and keep you warm in those biting days, it's likely that a tiny crack in the ceiling or blocked vent or gutter in your roof will have created a bigger and more troublesome leak. When problems in out-of-the way parts, such as roofing tiles and gutters, are unaddressed, water eventually takes a toll on these parts and into the inner spaces as well.

To maintain the integrity of your home, like everything else, you cannot underestimate the importance of conducting proper roof and gutter inspection and maintenance. Your roof may have holes and cracks that required attention last year. But with the onset of harsh weather, these breaches will have worsened and cause full-blown leaks. The accumulation of moisture also leads to mold buildup, as well as to pest and insect infestations.

Unmaintained gutters become clogged with leafs, twigs, and other debris that block the passageway of water into downspouts that lead water away from the foundations. Excessive water or ice buildup along the gutters can also enter and damage the house.

Postponing repairs will only lead to worse consequences, especially once the spring rains and the winter snowfalls fully settle in and make it almost impossible to conduct repairs. Do the necessary maintenance and repair work on your own or have a professional contractor take a look as soon as possible. Ensure that your house is prepared and fortified once the winter season rolls around.

Fall is in full swing, and the trees in your area are probably shedding leaves like they're snowflakes. Before real snow descends, however, you might want to check your gutters to see if they're choked with fallen leaves. Cleaning them now prevents them from being clogged by ice and snow when the winter rolls in.

Begin by setting the ladder near a corner downspout. Using a trowel or your gloved hands, carefully pull away the leaves and twigs from the spout so that none will fall in and cause a clog. Take it slowly but surely until you finish an entire length.

You may bring a plastic bag with you when you go up and dump the leaves in it. Alternatively, you can set a wheelbarrow or a section of tarp beneath the ladder and just drop what you scoop out there. Don't get rid of the leaves though—they'll make for great compost or mulch for your plants.

With the leaves gone, spray down the gutters to clean out whatever debris might have been left behind. This is also a good opportunity to check if they have any leaks, which a silicone sealant will easily patch up. You may also purchase products like GutterHelmet so that leaves slide of your roof instead of falling into and clogging your gutter.

Water isn't the only thing a gutter can catch; it can also be leaves, shingle debris, and even critters. It may occur to you that the gutter is a pain to clean up, even if doing so is only as frequent as once or twice a year. A gutter cover is always an option, keeping everything but the runoff away from the gutter. Then again, wouldn't it be more prudent to go gutter-less?

It's possible to not install a gutter at all, provided that your roof meets the conditions deemed ideal by roofing experts. Aside from living in a dry area, you may not need a gutter if the overhang extends long enough to prevent water from seeping into the foundation. The landscape is also taken into account; a downward gradient toward the street gutter will channel water farther from the house. Many homes in the U.S. don't have gutters, but not all of them have met these ideal conditions.

A professional can look at your home and determine whether or not you need a gutter. Unless these conditions can be met, you're better off installing a gutter and a gutter cover while you're at it. Either way, you won't have to worry about debris getting stuck on the gutter. 

The gutters are part of a defensive line that protects your home's interior from the elements, especially running water from heavy rains. As such, keeping them in top shape will be vital to ensuring the safety of your roofing system. The problem is: just how will you deal with all the refuse that will be cluttering your troughs and presenting headaches for cleaning efforts?

First, you should study the immediate area for the potential causes of the clutter. If the area is littered with trees, the high chances are very high that dry twigs or leaves will fall on the roof and go down to the troughs, especially during autumn. If need be, consider hiring a garden professional to go up and trim the branches from time to time.

The weather is of utmost concern; even if the area around your house is clear of any trees, wind conditions can still blow them over. Check your roofing system for signs of deterioration; if the roof is made up of asphalt shingles, watch for the granules seeping down to the troughs. While the granules may be fine in some cases, they can compromise the gutter troughs and clog the passage in large amounts. Make the effort to clean your gutters monthly and then add protectiven sleeves.

It takes approximately six weeks for a leaf to completely decompose with the right amount of exposure to the sun and air. Thicker leaves take a little bit more time, with those containing more sugar rotting at a faster rate. When mixed with nitrogen-rich grass cuttings in a compost pit, leaves can be broken down even faster.

However, even after the decomposition process is complete, traces of residue will still remain. In gardening, this residue makes soils richer in nutrients; it has business being in your gutters, however. That's why you shouldn't allow these leaves to accumulate on your roofing system's gutters.

Leaves that haven't fully decomposed attract all types of insects, which in turn attracts birds, squirrels and other urban critters. Their presence compromises the structural integrity of your home exterior and it won't be long until these animals bore a passageway right into your home, giving an opening for rainwater and other things your roofing is supposed to protect you from.

Damage to the roofing may affect your insulation and cost you steeper utility bills. Moreover, damaged ceilings, moist walls with peeling paint and vulnerable electric and plumbing systems are not cheap repairs either. To avoid these issues, make sure that your gutters are routinely cleaned. Better yet, have someone install gutter guards on them, so you won't ever have to worry about clogging gutters.

Gutter Helmet recently updated their corporate website with a tool that can make visitors' searches for a certified installer in their respective areas easier. Through the new convenient zip code locator, the company can easily provide prospective customers a list of their gutter guard systems installers based across the country. Found on the topmost portion of the website, the locator simply requests visitors to enter their respective zip codes. Once entered, the site will immediately provide a list of available installers with their complete address and contact information. Users can also receive directions to a dealer's address regardless if they are going by car, public transportation, or walking.

http://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/gutter-helmet-updates-corporate-website-with-installer-search-tool/

Leaves, twigs, petals and other organic debris will accumulate on your gutter sooner or later─ and on more than one occasion too. Once the gutter gets clogged, rainwater can leave damages along the path of its detour as it makes its way to the other areas of the house. It's important to note that your gutter is supposed to provide a clear diversion route for the rainwater as a form of protection for the whole structure.

Gutter guards, screens, and other elements are meant to lend a helping hand to that end; none of them, however, can remove the cleaning chore out of the maintenance work equation. The gutter accessories are able to keep a fraction of the debris out of the way, but smaller obstructions (which can eventually pile up to become major hindrances) can effortlessly pass through them. As a result, the gutter will still be left filled with debris that must be completely removed as soon as possible.

Regular maintenance enables the roof system to function well but executing the task is easier said than done in real life. Still, it needs to be done; otherwise, you would have to deal with even more headaches down the line.

Into the final months of the year, the warmth of summer gives way to the chill of fall. People slowly begin covering up while animals begin stocking up on fat in preparation for the lack of food. Trees also begin to shed off their leaves.

The beautiful image of falling leaves is a reminder for a lot of people that winter is coming. Some find the scene romantic. Others see these falling leaves as unnecessary litter in their backyards. People spend countless hours raking these leaves away. There is, however, some good that people can get from keeping these leaves within the premises of their homes.

Keeping these leaves inside will provide food for earthworms and various insects. These insects, in turn, are a treat for various birds. Keeping fallen leaves inside the yard could mean contributing to the development of a healthy ecosystem.

These leaves are also excellent landing pads for children. Children can do a lot with a bunch of leaves. In addition, the children crumble the leaves in the process, which makes it good compost material for the lawn. If one is sick of all the leaves, he can just mow over it and still contribute to the betterment of the soil.

Falling leaves are more important to nature than one could imagine. All it takes is just a little creativity in breaking them down, and the Earth will be happy for it.