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January 5, 2012 | 0 Comments

Clear Flowing Rain Gutters Maintain the Value of Your Home

Clogged gutters need never be a problem for the homeowner or business owner, if a gutter guard is installed on the gutter system. Gutter cleaning can be a chore and a yearly inconvenience, and if it is not performed correctly, it can result in damages to the gutter, downspouts or even the soffits of the roof if the water doesn’t flow efficiently.

Water often will build up in a clogged gutter, causing moisture problems with the roof edges and the soffits. When the problem is not remedied, the result may be rotted wood and decay of roof edges. Additionally, insects may infest these moist areas, causing problems with carpenter ants, termites and a variety of other wood dwelling insects. Mold and mildew may also become a problem.

Installing a gutter guard over the gutter system keeps leaves, twigs and other debris from preventing water flow to the downspouts. Water will drain through the gutter guard into the gutter and downspout, leaving the leaves and twigs on top, to be brushed off.

Cleaning rain gutters every year is not only tedious, but can be dangerous because it requires climbing a ladder and scooping out the buildup inside the gutter. If not done correctly, it can result in gutter damage. For many, climbing ladders is no longer safe, even after years of Do-it-Yourself home maintenance.

Gutter cleaning can be left to the experts, and there are many companies that will be glad to come and clean your gutters, for a price. The money you save by not paying someone to clean gutters could pay for the gutter guards that will best fit your system. Every system can accommodate gutter guards, no matter how old or from what materials they are made.

Not all gutter guards are priced the same, however, and it really pays to get gutter guards that are effective and affordable. Design and materials are important, as are installation costs. Many gutter guards systems are overpriced, but do the same exact job as the lower priced system.

Though we may be a little biased :) we know that you will find GutterBrush Gutter Guard’s simple design, price, do it yourself installation and effectiveness to meet your needs. We guarantee it.

November 18, 2011 | 0 Comments

Take Gutter Cleaning Off Your To Do List

Cleaning out gutters every year is not on most homeowner’s top ten list of favorite things to do. So end the mess and the hard work and save money with GutterBrush.

GutterBrush is a simple solution to help prevent gutter clogs and reduce the time spent cleaning gutters. Essentially it is a cylinder shaped brush that fills your gutters keeping leaves, pine needles and other debris from clogging your gutters while allowing water to flow through. GutterBrush helps protect your home from damage and extends the life of your gutters.

Now most gutter guard systems such as gutter screens or covers are expensive. They often require modification to your gutters and roof and they tend to be difficult to install.

GutterBrush is affordable and easy to install; saving you time and money. GutterBrush costs significantly less than the competition and is one of the best rain gutter protection systems on the market today. No tools other than a ladder are required. Just clean out your gutters and then slide sections of GutterBrush into your existing gutters.

Proudly made in the USA, GutterBrush is available in 18 and 36 inch lengths in various diameters to fit from small to extra-large gutters. GutterBrush will work with any type of roof surface. To determine what size GutterBrush you will need measure the width of your gutter opening from the back of the gutter to the front of the lip. Then measure the total length of all your home’s gutters.

GutterBrush is backed by a 1 year satisfaction guarantee and a 25 year warranty against manufacturer defects or deterioration.

Put GutterBrush to work in your gutters and take gutter cleaning off your to do list. For more information about GutterBrush ask one of our employees or visit http://www.GutterBrush.com.

View More Videos that Answer Common Questions about GutterBrush.

August 29, 2011 | 0 Comments

Must-Have Hurricane Essentials You Already Have

As hurricanes become a reality for more and more people (the east coast was just hit hard, including your pals over at GutterBrush), it’s always good to know exactly what essentials you need in case of emergency. Luckily, you already have many of these things in your house or apartment right now! Here goes:

1. Clothes

Remember that bag of clothes you’ve been meaning to donate to Goodwill? Pull them out and have them ready in case you need a fresh shirt or an old pair of pants to wade through possible flood waters. Store up old sheets and blankets to keep warm or to cover broken windows.

2. Water Bottles

Before the recycling truck comes this week, dig out those leftover water bottles, give them a good wash and fill them up with tap water. Store in the fridge until after the storm. Having fresh water on hand for drinking and bathing will be crucial if the storm knocks out your water.

3. Canned Food

It goes without saying that hoarding those non-perishable soups, green beans and baby peas is a great idea for during and after a storm. Plus, if you don’t use them after the storm, you can always donate them to a shelter (or just keep them stored in case of a future emergency).

4. Batteries

You’ll need extra batteries for a radio, flashlight or any other emergency device. If you’re running low on batteries, borrow a couple from non-essential devices such as remote controls or alarm clocks.

Bonus: If you’re planning a shopping trip before the storm, invest in a solar-powered cell phone charger. It could be a life-saver if you’re without power post-Irene.

5. Tools

In times of high stress, we tend to forget the essential tools we need. Set aside a wrench to turn off your water heater and gas. Bring out the can opener to use if you have to break into those tin-wrapped foods, and have a lighter on hand for candles. Keep in mind common problems that can arise during and after a storm and prepare accordingly (think: jammed doors, broken glass, heavy debris).

6. Books

No electricity, no television, no problem! Pack some reading material in a dry place to fight the inevitable no-power boredom. This will comes in handy especially for kids, whose favorite book may calm their fears during a rumbling storm.

7. Tents and Camping Supplies

Now that three-person tent and mummy sleeping bag can be used more than one fleeting weekend of the year. Get the rest of the family on board by promising some scary stories over warm can of pinto beans!

If you don’t live in an area affected by the hurricane this week, you can still make a difference by donating to a charity program such as the Red Cross.

July 22, 2011 | 0 Comments

Cold Weather Photo Contest: Win A $25 Restaurant.com Gift Certificate!

It’s blazing hot outside so GutterBrush wants to help. Simply share your favorite cold weather photo on the GutterBrush Facebook page and be entered to win 1 of 3 $25 Restaurant.com Gift Cards! That’s enough for a meal in a nice air-conditioned restaurant…courtesy of GutterBrush! Winners will be randomly chosen (there’s no first or second place, etc.) and notified via Facebook.

How To Enter

  • Visit the GutterBrush Facebook page. Be sure to ‘like’ the page if you haven’t already.
  • Post your favorite cold weather photo. Whether it’s a photo taken by you or someone else…it only matters that you have the rights to post it. No law-breakers, please.
  • Check out everyone else’s photos to help cool you down! If your photo is chosen, we’ll get in touch with you via Facebook to arrange how to send you your gift certificate. Simple as that!

July 13, 2011 | 0 Comments

Gutter Guard Face-Off: GutterBrush vs. The Competition

So how does GutterBrush stack up against the competition? While you may assume that we’re a bit biased since this is the GutterBrush blog…that doesn’t mean we aren’t carefully examining and considering the strengths and weaknesses of our own product as well as our competitors’ products.

What did we find after examining our product as well as the other ones out on the market? Why read a lengthy review when you can watch a helpful video! (You can check out even more helpful videos here)

July 12, 2011 | 0 Comments

On The Air: The GutterBrush Guys Chat With Mr. Fix-It On WGN Chicago

The word is out: GutterBrush is a no-brainer solution to keeping your gutters clear of leaves, debris, and basically everything except rain water. Our friends over at the radio station WGN in Chicago had us on to talk about why GutterBrush is the best solution for your gutters. Did you know all GutterBrush components are made in the USA? Not everyone can make that claim.

Click here to listen to the WGN interview (.mp3)

June 30, 2011 | 0 Comments

The Step-by-Step Guide To Cleaning Your Grill

It’s nearly July 4th and that means millions of us will be firing up our grills to celebrate with friends and family. However, some of us may have not turned on that grill in the past year or so. Never fear, GutterBrush to the rescue! We have a step-by-step guide to cleaning and getting your grill ready to handle all that you throw at / on it.

  1. Remove cooking grates and set them in warm soapy water to soak.
  2. Fill a small bucket or pan with warm soapy water.
  3. If it’s a charcoal grill then remove the coal grate and brush out the insides.
  4. If it’s a gas grill, remove briquettes, lava rocks or metal flame shield to expose burner.
  5. Clean out ash and residue from around burner, careful to make sure the burner is in place when you are done.
  6. Use a stiff wire brush and a little soapy water to gently scrub the inside surfaces of the grill.
  7. Remove any particles from grill and reassemble.
  8. If gas, brush off briquettes or lava rocks or wash metal flame shield in warm soapy water.
  9. Remove cooking grates from water and brush clean with the wire brush.
  10. Coat inside surfaces and cooking grates with cooking oil or spray.
  11. Put grates back on grill
  12. Allow the whole grill to air dry.
  13. Allow an extra five minutes of heating time the next time you grill to make sure any cleaning residue has burner off.

Tips:

  • Keeping grill surfaces lightly coated with cooking oil or spray will make clean up much easier.
  • If the gas jets are clogged, consider replacing the burner or carefully clean them with a soft wire brush.
  • Regular cleaning makes the job much easier.

Source: About.com

June 23, 2011 | 0 Comments

How To Treat Poison Ivy

It’s summertime and that means more time outdoors. My wife recently developed a pretty painful and itchy case of poison ivy over the last few days and we’ve been trying to figure out the best way to treat it. We’ve come across some pretty helpful tips and wanted to share.

STEP 1

Stay outside. If you know you’ve been exposed, avoid going indoors so you can prevent the spreading of urushiol

STEP 2

Clean your skin immediately. If you do this within 10 minutes, you may be able to get the urushiol off before it penetrates your skin. Clean the skin with rubbing alcohol first, then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

  • Don’t scrub or use hot water on your skin. This can draw the urushiol deeper into your pores.
  • Don’t use soap until after you’ve rinsed off your skin with just water. Soap can pick up the urushiol and move it around to other parts of your body.
  • Don’t go anywhere near urushiol-containing plants that day; the alcohol will make your skin extra vulnerable to it.
  • Don’t forget to clean under your fingernails; you may have scratched off some urushiol and could redeposit it on other objects or areas of your skin by accident.
  • Since urushiol is an oily resin, it binds to proteins in the skin and, after this process is complete, is nearly impossible to remove.

STEP 3

Recognize the symptoms. If you didn’t get the urushiol off in time, an allergic reaction may follow within 48 hours. First, your skin gets red and itchy. Then a rash follows, usually in a pattern of streaks of patches. Eventually the rash turns into red bumps or large oozing blisters. The rash will appear wherever you came in contact with urushiol, although it may take longer for the rash to appear on parts of your body where your skin is thicker. It doesn’t spread, however, because there’s no urushiol in the blisters. Once the urushiol is gone, the rash will go away.

STEP 4

Stop scratching! Even though the rash is not contagious, it’s best to avoid damaging the skin, or else you run the risk of getting an infection from germs.
STEP 5

Wash clothes and anything else that may have come in contact with a poisonous plant (gardening tools, pets, sports equipment, sheets). Don’t underestimate the power of urushiol; it can remain active for over a year.

STEP 6

Cool off. Take cold baths or showers, apply cold compresses, and/or massage the affected area with an ice cube. The cooling sensation will provide temporary relief.

STEP 7

Dry off. Always let the area air dry – this reduces the itching and oozing of blisters.

STEP 8

Work to soothe the rash. Some of the following products can help soothe the itching and irritation of poison ivy or poison oak:
  • Take antihistamines. They can be taken orally or applied topically, or both. Unfortunately, these types of products only treat the itching symptoms but do not help the rash heal more quickly . Antihistamines, generally offer only mild relief from the symptoms of poison ivy, but if taken before bedtime their combination of anti-allergy and drowsiness-inducing effects can help you get some rest.
  • Try hydrocortisone cream. However, some people find that hydrocortisone cream makes the symptoms worse in the long run. While the ingredients work for several hours, these creams tend to moisturize the skin at a time when drying provides longer-lasting relief.
  • Apply calamine lotion. As the Coasters said in their immortal song Poison Ivy, “You’re gonna need an ocean / of calamine lotion.” Calamine lotion can ease the itching and soothe blistered skin. Apply regularly and liberally.

 

 

June 20, 2011 | 0 Comments

Do-it-Yourself Projects That Lead to the Most ER Visits

Did you know that one of the most dangerous Do-It-Yourself projects is climbing a ladder? Good thing GutterBrush helps you stay OFF that ladder when it comes to cleaning out your gutters. This year 43 million homeowners will take on 57 million home improvement projects. Of those intrepid folks, one in five will be injured, according to the Home Safety Council. Here are five of the most common do-it-yourself mishaps—and how to avoid them.

Climbing a ladder

Falls from ladders and stools sent over 246,733 Americans to hospital emergency rooms in 2009 (the last year for which full statistics are available) according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Experts from the CPSC, HSC and Consumer Reports recommend the following:

  • Use the right ladder for the job. Always select a height that doesn’t require you to reach up or out in a way that destabilizes the ladder; keep your belt buckle centered between the rails.
  • Set up your ladder on a firm, level surface. With an extension ladder, the base should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet the ladder reaches up.
  • Use your stepladder only in the open, A-shaped position and lock the spreaders.
  • Don’t step above the labeled maximum height. Beyond that point, the odds of an accident increase significantly.

Mowing the lawn

Lawn mower-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms totaled 86,000 in 2009. The most common injuries were caused by debris, such as rocks and branches, being thrown by the mower’s spinning blades. Here’s what to do:

  • Send the kids into the house or well away from the area you are mowing.
  • Check the lawn for debris (twigs, rocks and other objects).
  • Wear sturdy shoes with sure-grip soles, never sneakers, sandals or bare feet.
  • Never refuel the mower when it is running or while the engine is hot.

Using power tools

Home power tools resulted in 83,204 emergency room admissions in 2009. The most common injuries involve cuts, especially to the fingers and hands. The Power Tool Institute recommends.

  • Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry that could become entangled in moving parts.
  • Unplug the power cord before you change a part or do any trouble-shooting on a tool that is jammed or won’t start.
  • Wear safety glasses with side shields.

Working with paints and other chemicals

Accidents involving paints, solvents, lubricants and cleaning agents caused 53,907 emergency room admissions in 2009. Injuries often include chemical burns and breathing problems. Here’s how to avoid mishaps:

  • Store and use pool chemicals according to the manufacturer’s directions.
  • Gasoline is dangerous inside a home or garage—vapors can explode with just a tiny spark.
  • Keep chemicals and cleansers in their original containers and don’t mix them.
  • Wear gloves, goggles and masks if the product’s label says to do so.

Using a chain saw

Chain saw accidents sent 26,593 to the emergency room in 2009. Kickback—where the tip of the saw snaps up and back toward the user—is involved in one in four injuries. Cuts to hands, fingers, legs and feet are typical and usually require multiple stitches. Here’s how to stay safe.

  • Wear eye and ear protection, gloves, tight-fitting clothing, cut-resistant leg chaps, boots, and a hard hat with a protective face screen.
  • Grip the saw with both hands and keep both feet firmly on the ground.
  • Saw only tree limbs you can reach from the ground while holding the saw below your shoulders.
  • Avoid sawing with the tip of the chain and bar, where kickback typically occurs.

June 17, 2011 | 0 Comments

It’s Not So Simple: How To Water Flowers

You’ve got a few extra minutes so you grab your watering can and dump a bunch of water on your dry flowers. Simple enough.

Or is it? If you water your annual and perennial flowers badly, you’ll waste time – and have sickly plants. Water them well and you’ll save yourself time and be rewarded with healthy, beautiful blooms.

  1. Water early in the day. Watering in the cool of morning (even before dawn) minimizes evaporation if you’re using a sprinkler. It also allows foliage to dry off quickly, preventing fungal diseases.
  2. Avoid wetting the blooms. Some blooms close up if wet or fall off in a hard spray.
  3. Water occasionally and deeply rather than often and lightly. You want water to soak in as deeply as possible, encouraging the plant to send down deep roots. The soil should be moist to the bottom of the plant’s roots when you insert your finger into the soil.
  4. Learn to look for signs of dryness before flowers wilt, including a loss of sheen on leaves and hard soil surrounding the plant. Never let flowers wilt. This weakens them and makes them more prone to a host of diseases.
  5. Check flowers in containers once or even twice a day, since they can need watering that often in hot, sunny or windy weather.
  6. Let technology help you. If you have difficulty keeping up with watering needs, check out your local garden center’s supplies of soaker hoses, drip emitters (including some for containers), and timers to connect to your outdoor faucet. Or try adding water-absorbing polymer crystals to your containers – the crystals can cut watering needs significantly.
  7. Mulch. Not only does this suppress weeds, but it keeps the soil around your flowers cool and moist, minimizing the need for water.

Helpful Tips

  • In optimum (loamy) soil conditions, most plants need 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
  • As you design and plant your garden, try to cluster plants according to watering needs.
  • Avoid planting flowers whose watering needs will be difficult to keep up with. If you live in New Mexico, for example, it’s silly to fight nature by planting water-guzzling plants. Source: eHow.com
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