Frequently Asked Questions
If your questions or concerns are not addressed in the answers below, please feel free to contact our office or the estimator that gave you your quote. We are open 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. E.S.T. Monday-Friday. If you wish to call at other times, you may leave a message on our answering machine and we will return your call.
...about Gutter
...about Gutter Helmet®
...about SnapLock™
...about Estimates and Installations
...about Maintenance and Cleaning
...about Repairs, Problems and Concerns
...about Our Company, Payments and Warranties
Questions about Gutter
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Questions about Gutter Helmet®
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Questions about SnapLock™
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Questions about Estimates and Installations
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Questions about Maintenance and Cleaning
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Questions about Repairs, Problems and Concerns
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Questions about Our Company, Payments and Warranties
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Questions about Gutter
What is seamless gutter?
Seamless gutter is gutter that has no joints. Gutter can only be made seamless in a straight run from one corner of a house to another corner. That can be a distance of 1’ up to 100’. A seam must be placed in the gutter in order to turn a corner. Seamless gutter is roll formed from prepainted aluminum coil through a machine that is brought to the job site. Please view our gutter systems page for more information.
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Why do I need gutters?
Gutters are needed when water coming off of a roof is causing a problem. Here are a few of the problems uncontrolled rainwater can cause:
- Rainwater dripping on people from the roof
- Water seepage into a foundation or basement
- Landscape erosion
- Rotting of doors and windowsills
- Water pooling on the ground
- Splashing and staining on the exterior walls of a house
- Water undermining foundations
- Contributing to mold and mildew
Please view our gutter systems page for more information.
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Do seamless gutters help prevent wet basements?
Seamless gutters control the water from the roof so that it can be directed away from foundations and flower beds. However, there are several other factors not related to seamless gutters that can contribute to water problems or damage.
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Are there different sizes and styles of gutter?
Yes. Please view our gutter systems page for more information.
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Do you offer vinyl gutters?
We do not install vinyl gutters for a number of reasons. A few of which are:
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It is a smaller size than standard 5” gutter and the downspouts are smaller, thereby carrying less water.
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It is not available seamless.
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It uses a slip joint fastener every 10 feet at the seams, which allows two opportunities for leaks at each seam.
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It can become very brittle and break easily.
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It is not available in a variety of colors.
For these reasons, we cannot warranty the material or an installation of vinyl gutters.
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What size gutter and downspouts do I need?
The size of the gutter and the size and number of downspouts needed is determined by specific factors of each house, including the roof area, distance between downspouts, the style of the house and the size of the fascia board. Our estimator will help you custom design you gutter system free of charge.
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How do you fasten the gutters to the house?
Gutters can be fastened in several different ways depending on the design of the house. The best method of fastening gutters is to install them using the SnapLock™ installation system, which does not penetrate the gutter. (Please see our SnapLock™ page for further information.) For additional information about gutter installation methods please see our Gutter Systems page.
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Can I install my own gutters?
We do not sell gutter materials for homeowners to do their own installation. Gutters should always be installed by trained, experienced professionals with the proper tools and safety equipment for the best possible installation.
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How will gutters look on my house?
Our gutter looks similar to crown molding and enhances the look of the house. In many cases homeowners have not even noticed the new gutter after it was installed on their house because it blends in so well. We carry many colors of gutter, one of which is usually a good match to the color of the fascia board. Downspouts do not have to be the same color as the gutter, but can instead match the color of the walls of the house if they are a different color than the fascia board or brick.
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What colors are available?
We have 15 colors to choose from. To view the colors we have available please see our gutter systems page.
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How much does gutter cost?
We do not charge by the lineal foot of gutter only. We measure each house individually and charge only for the specific gutter, downspouts and accessories needed for your house. Please contact us for a free, no obligation on-site estimate so that we can give you an accurate quote.
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Do you charge extra for colors or for using two colors?
No. You may choose as many colors as you wish. Color does not affect the price.
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How long will my new seamless aluminum gutters last?
Aluminum gutters do not rust or corrode on their own. Provided the gutters are not tampered with or damaged in any way, we warranty our seamless aluminum gutters for the life of the house. If the house is sold, the warranty automatically transfers to the new owner.
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Questions about Gutter Helmet®
Why do I need Gutter Helmet®?
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To avoid the muck and hassle of cleaning gutters
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To avoid the dangers of climbing a shaky ladder
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To avoid the liability of having someone else clean your gutters
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To prevent clogged and overflowing gutters that can lead to:
- Water seepage into a basement or crawlspace
- Landscape erosion and damage
- Rotting of doors and windows and their frames
- Splashing and staining on the exterior walls of a house
- Water undermining foundations
- Growth of mold and mildew
Stop worrying about your gutters and start enjoying the peace of mind that a Gutter Helmet® system provides. With Gutter Helmet®, you'll Never Clean Your Gutters Again!®
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How does Gutter Helmet® work?
Gutter Helmet®‘s patented nose-forward design prevents leaves and debris from entering your gutter system. Your Gutter Helmet® system channels rainwater around the nose-forward panel and through a precise 3/8" horizontal slit. In turn, the principles of gravity and surface tension combine to allow rainwater to flow into your gutters and leaves and debris to fall harmlessly to the ground.
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Don't all gutter protection systems offer similar products and features? Why do you say that Gutter Helmet® is "the best"?
Brackets:
Every home is unique, and Gutter Helmet® installs with the option of several special-purpose reinforced heavy gauge aluminum installation brackets, each engineered with a custom installation and special purpose in mind: to strengthen and support your gutters, even in the heaviest of snowfalls (K-style or Universal Tri-Beams support brackets); to prevent entry to birds and animals (anchor-lock support brackets); to withstand the heaviest rainfall ever recorded (all brackets); to hook invisibly into your gutter with NO screws into the gutter and NO screws into the roof (K-style tri-beam supports) if needed. Gutter Helmet®’s professional installers are also trained in fascia-mounted systems that do not touch the roof at all. This is ideal for expensive slate, shake and metal roofing. The 'other guys' usually have a single, plastic bracket design or installation method that encourages a "one-size-fits-all" approach to every home, even yours!
Panels:
Gutter Helmet®'s patented metal texturing process and horizontal rib design is precisely engineered to provide maximum strength, maximum performance and minimum weight and stress on the gutters of your home (especially when used with our patented brackets), better than similar non-textured, non-ribbed products. Also, Gutter Helmet® is specially Kynar© coated to not only resist scratching, cracking and peeling, but to also neutralize the harmful effects of UV light and acid rain without perceptible fading for 20 years! Products coated with enamels or polyesters just cannot stand up to the Gutter Helmet® PermaLife coating with special stain inhibitors.
The industry leader:
Gutter Helmet® pioneered the professional gutter protection market over 25 years ago and is the industry leader, installing more quality systems over existing gutters than every other competitor. This is true for every year of the last 25 years, with sales of over 10 million feet of Gutter Helmet® in 2004 alone! Many products and companies have come and gone over the last 25 years, but Gutter Helmet® remains committed to you, our current and future happy customers.
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How does Gutter Helmet® compare to screens and other products on the market?
Screens and products that have vertical slots, louvers or other openings allow leaves and debris to clog gutters. Gutter Helmet®'s unique, multi-patented design has no vertical openings that can allow debris to settle or to enter. Gravity causes leaves and debris to fall harmlessly to the ground, while water surface tension causes water to flow around the exclusive cover design and back into your gutters.
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How much rain can a Gutter Helmet® system handle?
The angle of a roof is called pitch. Gutter Helmet® has engineered a variety of installation techniques to work on any pitch roof, from flat to almost vertical. Rest assured that rainwater will flow into your Gutter Helmet®-protected gutters, regardless of the pitch. Many products on the market promise their systems will handle 22", 24", or even 30" of rain per hour; but what does that mean? Actually, almost any product can handle large amounts of rain if it is installed on a relatively flat roof with a very short roof run. For example, Gutter Helmet® could claim to handle 109" per year, a very true, but very misleading statement (very low pitch with a 5 foot roof run). The fact is that it has never rained more than 12" in a single hour in the US.
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How is Gutter Helmet® installed?
Gutter Helmet® is custom-fitted to your home by our trained installers who clean, seal, check and adjust the alignment of your existing gutter system as needed. If you do not have existing gutter or need new gutter, we will give you a free estimate to install both a new gutter system and Gutter Helmet®. Gutter Helmet® is expertly installed with heavy gauge reinforced support brackets (several models available, each designed for an expert, custom installation.) Gutter Helmet® panels are individually prepared and custom-fitted over your full-sized gutters. Panels are then securely installed under or over shingles, depending on our professional inspection of your home. In most cases, installation can be completed in just one day.
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How will Gutter Helmet® affect the look of my home? What colors are available?
Gutter Helmet® is designed to blend into the natural architectural style of your home. Eight colors plus copper are available to match your roof shingles so that an installed system becomes an almost invisible year-round protection.
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How much does a professionally installed Gutter Helmet® system cost?
The installation cost is determined by many factors. All installations include an inspection and tune-up of your existing gutters - cleaning, sealing, re-pitching and adding hangers as needed. Other factors affecting cost include:
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Local laws and codes
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Number of stories of your home
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The need for special equipment to perform the installation (due to the lay of the land or other variables)
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The condition of your roof
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The necessity of fascia repair and replacement
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The linear feet of gutters and number of corners on your home
The inspection of your home by a professional Gutter Helmet® dealer is necessary to provide an accurate installation estimate. Call Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. today to schedule your free inspection and estimate!
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Will Gutter Helmet® affect my roof warranty?
No. Gutter Helmet® is expertly and professionally installed using the industry's highest quality poly-butyl sealant and Dacromet®-coated fasteners. Gutter Helmet® provides our installers with a choice of installation methods, some that do not touch the roof at all! Finally, our installation procedures and methods have been evaluated and approved by major roofing manufacturers.
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What is the warranty for Gutter Helmet®?
With your registered warranty, you are provided a transferable lifetime material and a product performance warranty. Through the extensive Gutter Helmet® dealer network, you are also provided a lifetime service warranty. Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. will provide you with a copy of the written warranty that will explain all the details. The warranty must be registered when you purchase Gutter Helmet® to take advantage of all warranty benefits. If you do not receive a warranty card, please contact Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc.
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Questions about SnapLock™
Why is SnapLock™ far superior to conventional gutter installations?
3 Important Reasons:
- With SnapLock™, there are NO fasteners penetrating the back of the gutter, thereby preventing water damage.
- The gutters are allowed to move freely which is critical when affixing any type of metal to a structure thereby allowing for expansion and contraction.
- SnapLock™ allows for ventilation behind your gutter therefore eliminating condensation so your fascia will stay dry.
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Can spike and ferrule and hidden hanger installation allow water damage resulting in deterioration of the fascia board?
Anytime there is a fastener penetrating the back of the gutter there is potential for water to track through to the fascia.
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How strong is SnapLock™?
SnapLock™ is made from extruded aircraft grade aluminum.
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Can I install SnapLock™?
No, SnapLock™ must be installed by an authorized dealer.
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Does SnapLock™ come with a warranty?
Installation and
material are both covered under Chattahoochee Gutter Co.,
Inc.'s Limited Lifetime
Transferable Warranty. SnapLock™ also
offers a Lifetime
Transferable Limited Warranty.
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Questions about Estimates and Installations
Do you install rain gutters in my area?
Please see our Services page for a map of areas we serve.
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Do you do estimates or installations at night or on the weekends?
We will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs.
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Do I need to be home for my FREE estimate?
It is very important that you be there for the estimate so that we can design the best possible system. This allows us to address any concerns you may have and also allows us to ask specific questions regarding your needs. Also, we can show you product and color samples to be sure you are getting the exact product and color you need and want for your home. However, we can do the estimate without your being there if necessary. If you are not home our estimator will leave your quote written on our brochure. We do ask that any locked gates to the areas that need to be measured are unlocked and any unfriendly or escape artist pets are penned, tied up or put in the house.
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Can I call for a phone estimate?
We do give phone estimates if you know all of the specifics of your gutter needs. Phone estimates are not final. We will also need to do an on-site inspection before installation in order to give you an accurate quote. In addition, this will allow us to be completely prepared with the correct materials when we come to do your installation. Estimates are free with no obligation.
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Does Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. utilize contracts?
Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. requires a signed acceptance letter on any job $1000 or more. If anyone prefers a contract we are happy to comply.
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How do I get on the work schedule?
Simply tell your estimator or call our office and let us know that you would like us to schedule the work.
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How soon can you begin the installation?
This varies depending on the time of year and whether or not special material needs to be ordered. Your estimator can give you a timeframe when you let us know that you would like us to do the work.
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Do I need to do anything to prepare for the new gutters?
Possibly. If you need to replace bad wood or paint your fascia board or paint the wall of the house in the areas where downspouts will be located, this will need to be finished before your scheduled installation. If you will be replacing your roof shortly, then we recommend having the roof work completed before gutter installation. This is to prevent the gutters being accidently damaged during roof installation.
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How long will it take to install my new gutter?
Most installations can be completed within one day. However, the installation time varies depending on the amount and difficulty of work to be completed, the time of day we start, as well as other factors, such as weather, height of the house, and physical things such as bushes and trees that the men will work around.
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Questions about Maintenance and Cleaning
How do I maintain my seamless rain gutter system?
If you do not have the Gutter Helmet® protection system and have leaves falling into your gutter, they will need to be cleaned out periodically to keep your gutter functioning properly.
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How do I clean-out my gutters?
Following safe ladder practices, clean out the gutter by hand. Do not use sharp metal objects as they may puncture the gutter. You may gently "lean" a ladder against the gutter if you put protective covering between the ladder and the gutter to keep it from scratching. If you do not wish to throw the gutter debris onto your bushes or lawn, you may throw debris into a trash bag. Working from a ladder can be dangerous. For that reason, we recommend hiring a professional to come clean out your gutters for you as needed. Remember, with Gutter Helmet® you'll Never Clean Your Gutters Again® or climb ladders.
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Do you offer a gutter clean-out service?
We will clean out leaves and debris out of your gutters and downspouts for a fee. Please contact us for a quote. If periodic clean-out of your gutters is necessary we recommend the installation of Gutter Helmet® protection system.
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How do you recommend cleaning the outside of the gutter system?
In most cases, you can scrub the gutter with dish detergent. Do not use a metal brush such as a wire brush or a brillo pad. These will scratch the paint and void our paint warranty. Neither should you use any corrosive cleaner.
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What do I do about stains on my gutter?
Stains can be caused by a number of things, such as vehicle exhaust, tree sap, mold, mildew and dirt accumulated on the roof. Allowing your gutter to get clogged and the water to run over the front may also stain it. Some possible remedies are cleaning it with bleach diluted with water or scrubbing with Soft Scrub. Please do not use anything that is corrosive or that will scratch the paint.
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Can I paint my gutters?
Our seamless aluminum gutters are prepainted with baked-on enamel paint. A homeowner can, if they wish, paint the gutter with good quality latex or oil-base paint. The gutters need to be clean and dry. Wash gutters with mild detergent or liquid comet and totally rinse and dry before painting. A primer coat is recommended when going from a dark color to a light color.
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Questions about Repairs, Problems and Concerns
Do you do repairs?
Yes, please see our services page for more information about repairs.
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Why do I have water dripping between the gutters and the fascia board?
Rain gutters are not designed to make a water tight seal against the fascia board. Water running between the gutter and fascia board or behind the fascia board is usually caused by one of the following:
- Short, broken or old curled-under shingles causing the water to wick back onto the fascia board.
- Pockets in roof shingles caused by the top of the fascia board being higher than the roof decking, allowing the water to track between the shingles and down behind the fascia board. This may cause rotting of the roof decking, rafter ends, fascia board, or eave overhang.
- Water problems may also be caused by faulty or missing flashing around chimneys, vent stacks, and wall flashing among others.
These cases are not caused by our gutter system and therefore are not covered under our warranty. The standard remedy for these situations is to properly install eave metal flashing. Please read more about eave metal flashing.
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I have water standing in my gutters. Is this normal?
A large amount of water staying in the gutters is not normal. However, after a rain a small amount of water may stay in the gutters due to surface tension. If a large amount of water is standing in your gutters, please check to be sure all outlets and downspouts are free of debris. If the gutters and downspouts are cleaned out and water is still sitting in the gutter, then the gutter will probably need to be re-leveled to provide proper drainage. Standing water will not harm aluminum gutters.
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Why are my gutters falling off?
There are several reasons why gutters might fall off of a house:
- If the rafters that the fascia board is fastened to become soft or rotted, they may not hold the weight of the fascia board and gutter, especially if gutters are stopped up and full of leaves, debris and water.
- If the fascia board becomes soft or rotted, it may not hold the weight of the gutter.
- If the gutter was not properly installed and becomes clogged and filled with leaves, debris and water, adding exceptional weight to the system.
- If someone other than Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. has removed our gutters, then reinstalled them, they may have been inadequately re-hung.
- Sometimes when roof work is being done, the gutter or its hangers may be unintentionally stepped on and loosened. This weakens the gutter system’s ability to carry the weight of water.
- The proper number of hangers and fasteners were not used.
- Gutter spikes are pulling loose.
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What if I have rotten wood?
If the fascia board is rotted, in most cases we can replace the wood for you with new wood that we paint with primer. If the rotten wood is rafter ends or the eave/overhang it would be best to have a carpenter do that repair work for you. If our estimator or installers find rotten wood, we will notify you of that fact. We will not install gutters over rotten wood. We will not replace wood until we have given you a quote for doing so and you have agreed to let us replace it for you.
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Why would you need to remove existing gutters?
This could be for many reasons. Here are a few:
- Old steel gutters have rusted and are leaking or will not hold paint
- Gutters are damaged
- To change the size, color or style
- An addition is being put on a house
- If downspout locations need to be changed and patching old holes is not desired
- To prepare for a new roof installation or to replace old wood
Note: If someone other than Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. removes gutter that we have installed, it voids your warranty. Only Chattahoochee Gutter Co., Inc. installers can remove and reinstall our gutter to keep your warranty intact.
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Do I have to dispose of my own gutters?
No. When we take down old gutters, we haul them away. If you prefer, you may keep them for other uses or haul them away yourself.
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How much does gutter removal and disposal cost?
We charge a minimal charge to remove and dispose of gutter. Please call us for a free, no obligation on-site estimate so that we can give you an accurate quote. We can also quote a separate trip to remove gutters to allow you to repair and/or paint your fascia boards before we install your new gutters.
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Questions about Our Company, Payments and Warranties
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are fully licensed in the states and cities in which we work. We are fully insured with General Liability, Auto Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
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Are you affiliated with any organizations?
Yes, please see our About Us page for a list of the organizations.
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Do you require a down payment?
Most installations do not require a down payment.
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How and when should I pay?
Payment in full is due upon completion of the job. We will send you an invoice when the job is complete. We require that you then send us payment right away or call us with credit card information.
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Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept VISA, MasterCard and Discover Card. Please call our office if you prefer to pay with a credit card. We also accept checks and cash.
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Do you offer financing?
Please see our financing page.
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What kind of warranties do you offer?
Please see our Warranties page to view warranty information.
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