The global economy is struggling but our small international gutter protection company is trying to do our part to help minimize the impact on property and business owners by not increasing our pricing or shipping charges within the continental United States for 2010. The bottom line is that gutters are extremely important for the protection of your home. Every year the malfunctioning and overflowing of gutters does cause substantial property damage to residential and commercial property across the world.

GutterBrush is an effective, low-cost gutter protection and rainwater control system made in the USA from 100% sustainable materials. GutterBrush is constructed of exceptionally durable professional grade materials. This sustainable product helps reduce the amount of non-degradable plastics from landfills through its very long lifespan. The product will not deteriorate and therefore will not need to be disposed of in a landfill and then replaced.

GutterBrush simple gutter guard does an incredible job of protecting property from water damage caused by clogged gutters. GutterBrush’s simple gutter guard system helps keep gutters flowing freely and virtually eliminates the structural water damage caused by overflows, standing water, freezing water, and snow buildup while also helping to reduce the risk of combustion of dry, brittle, and very flammable gutter debris and is in compliance with fire prevention building codes. Getting rid of these potential causes of damage increases the longevity of the property and significantly diminishes the environmental shock of repairs and replacements.

GutterBrush also greatly minimizes the maintenance needed to keep gutters clean and free flowing while also promoting a cleaner and more efficient rain water harvesting system. A way to minimize the impact of excess nutrients that drain through local watersheds is to install GutterBrush simple gutter guards to prevent leaves from collecting. When nutrient-rich leaves fall onto rooftops and get caught in rain gutters, the phosphorus and nitrogen leaches out and is channeled through gutters and pipes into storm drains and sewers. GutterBrush can help stop this problem and help improve the environment at the same time.

GutterBrush simple gutter guard is holding the line on prices and shipping charges within the continental United States for 2010 in an attempt to assist you in protecting your property from costly damage and repairs that result from clogged gutters.

If you thought natural disasters were the most significant risk to your home’s integrity and long term value you’d be incorrect. However, and perhaps most surprisingly, the most significant and costly risk to your property is one of the simplest systems in your house. The rain gutters.

Water damage resulting from clogged, defective or non-existent rain gutters is estimated to cause in excess of $56 billion per year. This is more financial ruin than all natural disasters combined, according to statistics generated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. For example in 2006 the combined cost in terms of property damage from fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes amounted to about $43 billion. That is around 13 billion less than the effect of water damage from ineffective and/or malfunctioning gutters.

Many are surprised by these statistics because the damage occurs silently and usually without any discernible warning. Many times homeowners are not even aware of the underlying damage until they attempt to sell their property. Due to the high elevation of the gutters both homeowners and building professionals are prone to incorrectly identify basement leaks or foundation floods that are actually caused by improperly functioning gutter systems. These errant gutters and downspouts are also a fundamental cause of mold, dry rot, erosion and premature siding, paint and exterior trim damage. So, how does this happen?

Well, it turns out gutters are by far the most important element of the exterior water distribution systems of the home. This system includes the roof, flashings, gutters, downspouts and splash blocks (or sub-drains at the foundation level). Gutters have to collect all the rain being shed off the roof and transport it safely to the ground making them the critical link in the system. A leak or overflow at the gutter level means everything below the leak is a target for damage from cascading, wind-driven water. The usual victims are the windows, doors and exterior trim, but this cascading water can also erode the foundation, flood the crawlspace and find its way into the basement. A leak in a gutter at the back of the house can easily go unnoticed for many years.

These leaks often are a result of the design of gutters and leaving them unprotected. For example, standard gutters are open and exposed to the weather so they clog up easily with all kinds of debris like pine needles, leaves, twigs, bird nests, toys, balls etc. As soon as large debris enters the gutter it is only a matter of time before the downspout is plugged and the water begins to build up and overflow. This can be prevented by using a gutter protection system such as GutterBrush. Using a system like GutterBrush simple gutter guard can also help prevent the heavy weight of the water pulling at the gutter mountings and deforming them causing sagging. This weight will eventually break the sealed joints in the gutters making for even more leaks.

What can you do to make these critical parts work right? First, the gutters need to be designed and installed properly and they need a system like GutterBrush to keep them from clogging and overflowing. The simple gutter protection system like GutterBrush is made to keep debris out and water flowing. Basically filters, this product is a do-it-yourself solution. GutterBrush is worthwhile investments and the California Department of Forestry apparently agrees. The CDF determines fire codes in all urban/forest interface areas and in January 2008 they instituted new building codes requiring gutter protection and proper maintenance in all new construction in these fire prone areas. Apparently, gutters loaded with dry debris can easily catch fire and ignite the roofing substructure, even with fire-proof roofs. Typical gutter protection systems cost about $1500 but GutterBrush costs much less and works much better! However, considering the risks and damage associated with bad gutters and their 90% likelihood of failure, gutter protection should be standard on every building. And, as always, the GutterBrush Guys insist of putting safety first so be sure you take adequate precautions before you climb the ladder to inspect your gutters and/or install a gutter protection system.

The GutterBrush Guys, Ltd. (www.gutterbrush.com) enjoy being outside and completing important home improvement/maintenance projects very much. But we are also always mindful of the safety of ourselves and those around us. Take a moment and consider taking health and safety precautions when raking leaves, cleaning gutters and performing other outdoor chores. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) taking a few simple steps and precautions can keep you from becoming injured while out of doors doing chores this autumn. “Many people work vigorously in the yard during the autumn season, and it often takes a toll on your body,” AAOS spokesman Dr. Laurence Laudicina, said in a news release from the academy. “Raking leaves and cleaning out the gutters are popular seasonal chores that can lead to falls or strain to your back and upper body.” In 2008 in the United States, about 617,000 people suffered injuries caused by rakes, other outdoor garden supplies and ladders, the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission noted.

So to help everyone avoid becoming one of those statistics we wanted to pass along some of the tips presented by the AAOS:

•Warm up for at least 10 minutes with some stretching and light exercise before beginning work in the yard.

•Use a rake that’s comfortable for your height and strength. You can prevent blisters by wearing gloves or using a rake with a padded handle.

•Make sure that hats or scarves don’t block your vision, and watch out for large rocks, low branches, tree stumps or uneven surfaces.

•Vary your movements and alternate your leg and arm positions often. When picking up leaves, bend at the knees, not at the waist.

•Wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles.

•Don’t overfill leaf bags, especially if the leaves are wet. You should be able to carry bags comfortably.

•Don’t throw leaves over your shoulder or to the side. That kind of twisting motion places undue stress on your back.

•Inspect ladders for loose screws, hinges or rungs, and make sure it is free of mud, dirt or liquids.

•Make sure all ladder legs rest on a firm, level surface. Don’t use ladders on uneven ground or soft, muddy earth.

•Always face a ladder when climbing and descending.

•Confirm that the ladder is fully open and locked before you climb it.

•Angle ladders about 75 degrees from the ground.

•Don’t sit or stand on the top of the ladder or on its pail shelf.

•Use the right ladder for the job. Step stools or utility ladders are good for working at low or medium heights, while extension ladders should be used outdoors to reach high places.