Frequently Asked Questions About Scott-Lee Guttering

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Why are gutter systems and gutter maintenance so important?

• Clogged or leaky gutters are one of the primary causes of basement leaks. Other concerns include the development of mold and other foundation problems. Standing water in gutter clogged or non-functioning gutter systems provide an ideal environment for mosquitoes and other insects to breed.
• Leaky gutters can damage the exterior of home as well. Rainwater cascading over the gutters can result in damage to fascia, soffit, wood framing, and outside walls. The damage can range from staining to complete rotting and or rusting of exterior building products.
• Water cascading over gutter systems can cause unsightly stains on driveways, walkways, decks, and patios.
• Topsoil is the main protection to the foundation of a home. Gutter systems direct rainwater away from the home to prevent erosion.
• Gutter systems protect plants, shrubs and landscaping. Standing water in flower beds can allow harmful fungi to develop and damage or kill valuable flowers and trees.

How do I know if I need to replace my gutters?

• The gutters are beginning to pull away from the fascia board.
• Seams in the gutter and/or at the miters (corners) have begun to drip or leak.
• Your current gutters and downspouts are not large enough to handle the volume of water that comes off of your roof.
• The fascia board is showing signs of damage due to the gutters not being able to handle the water.
• Gutters are no longer pitched properly due to the home settling.

How do I know if I need to increase the size of my gutters and downspouts?

• The gutter system you currently have cannot handle the volume of water that comes off of the roof.
• A good rule of thumb: If the roof is too steep to be walked on there is a good chance that larger 6” gutters and 3”X4” downspouts would be more effective.
• If debris is constantly clogging the gutters and downspouts, larger gutters will increase the chance that the debris will wash down the larger downspouts.

How do I know which guttering contractor to choose?

• Make sure the contractor you hire is licensed and insured. Protect yourself from possible liability if an accident occurs on your property.
• Make sure the contractor is local. Many out of town companies will come to town, particularly after major storms, and claim to be local contractors.
• Choose a company that provides some type of workmanship warranty.
• Ensure that the contractor provides you with a professionally written contract that accurately describes the scope of work to be done.

Does Scott-Lee Guttering offer debris protection and gutter cleaning?

• Yes, we install gutter protection systems from screen to more intricate systems.
• Yes, we do offer gutter cleaning services for small and large jobs.
• There are several factors that dictate which debris protection should be used on a house. Price is a major factor as well as the types of trees that surround the home and the configuration of the roof. It is helpful to have a sales representative look at the house before deciding on a particular debris protection system.

How much do you charge for new gutters? Do I have options on payment?

• It is impossible to answer that question without a salesman looking at the job. Each job is unique often requiring different application and tear-off techniques.
• The job may require altering the size of the gutters and/or downspouts.
• The cost of the job depends on many factors such as: the pitch of the roof, the height of gutters, downspouts may require adapters that fit existing drains; special cuts needed to fit the roofline of the job, older gutters could be roof lapped or roof strapped requiring different removal and application techniques, etc.
• We accept cash, check, and Visa and MasterCard.
• We are happy to provide a lien waver after the invoice has been paid.

Does Scott-Lee Guttering do small repair jobs?

• Yes. We do jobs of all sizes from small repairs to larger commercial jobs. Often times a small job may only require a minimum trip charge.

Does Scott-Lee Guttering follow strict workmanship standard?

• Yes. All miters are hand cut, we never use strip miters or box miters unless requested by the homeowner or to match an existing portion of the job. Miters that are not hand cut are more prone to leaking.
• All aluminum miters and end caps are sealed with caulk specifically manufactured to adhere to aluminum.
• All copper seams are soldered.
• 5 And 6 inch seamless gutter is formed on the job site after exact measurements are calculated by the installers.