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Guild Quality Recognizes EMA Construction for 5 Straight Exceptional Ratings

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Guild Quality Badge Recognizing EMA Construction for 5th Straight Exceptional Customer Service Review

We have again received recognition from Guild Quality for our 5th straight customer reporting exceptional service! We are thankful for our great customers and look forward to giving you a 5-start experience. Here are just a few things that people have shared on Guild Quality in the past few months:
“EMA did an outstanding job, I do highly recommend them for your job. ” – John S.
“Work was done quickly and with good respect for my plants and my property.” – Nate B.
“Nate’s work was outstanding!” – Philip S.
“EMA did a great job replacing our 50-year-old cedar shake siding with James Hardie shingle-type siding. They also replaced our front porch ceiling with Hardie panels, which came out looking terrific. In fact, they ended up having to practically rebuild the support structure for the porch ceiling, since what was there previously was more like a Masonite fiber-board product. The cost for the rebuild was very reasonable, and I’m sure will last for many years. The installers were very friendly, and always willing to discuss what they were doing and why. ” – Patrick D.
Whether you’re looking for new James Hardie siding, cedar siding, siding repair, gutters, gutter guards, or roofing, you can count on EMA Construction to deliver a 5-star customer experience job throughout the Cincinnati and Dayton area.

Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Install New Gutters on Cincinnati Home

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When it comes to home maintenance, timing is everything. Homeowners in Cincinnati know that the city’s weather can be unpredictable, with harsh winters and rainy springs. However, summer stands out as the ideal season for various home improvement projects, particularly for installing new gutters. Here are several reasons why summer is the best time of year to tackle this essential task.

Optimal Weather Conditions

One of the primary reasons summer is ideal for gutter installation is the favorable weather. Cincinnati summers are typically warm and dry, providing the perfect conditions for outdoor work. Unlike spring or fall, when rain is frequent and can disrupt construction, summer offers more predictable weather patterns. Dry conditions ensure that the installation process can proceed without delays caused by rain, ensuring a smooth and efficient project timeline.

Preparing for Fall and Winter

Installing new gutters in the summer allows homeowners to prepare for the upcoming fall and winter months. As leaves begin to fall, gutters can quickly become clogged, leading to water overflow and potential damage to your home’s foundation. By installing new, efficient gutters in the summer, you can ensure they are ready to handle the autumn leaves and precipitation that come with autumn and winter. This proactive approach helps prevent water damage and the costly repairs that can result from it.

Contractor Availability

Another advantage of scheduling gutter installation in the summer is the increased availability of contractors. Summer is a popular time for home improvement projects, but it is not as hectic as the fall when everyone is rushing to finish projects before winter sets in. By planning your gutter installation in the summer, you can take advantage of the relatively lighter schedules of contractors, leading to more flexible scheduling options and potentially even better rates.

Enhanced Home Value and Curb Appeal

New gutters can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home. Summer is when many people spend more time outdoors and having well-maintained, attractive gutters can improve your home’s curb appeal. If you are considering selling your home, new gutters can be a selling point, showcasing to potential buyers that the property has been well cared for. This can increase your home’s market value and make it stand out in a competitive real estate market.

Efficient Installation Process

The warm temperatures of summer allow materials like gutter sealants to cure properly and quickly. This is crucial for ensuring that your gutters are watertight and durable. In colder months, sealants can take longer to set, and the process may be less effective. Summer’s heat speeds up this curing process, contributing to a more efficient and successful installation.

Addressing Winter Damage

Winter in Cincinnati can be tough on gutters. Snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures can cause significant wear and tear. By summer, the damage from the past winter is evident, allowing you to make informed decisions about necessary replacements or repairs. Installing new gutters in the summer addresses any issues head-on, ensuring your home is protected before the next winter arrives.

Energy Efficiency

New gutters can also play a role in enhancing your home’s energy efficiency. Properly functioning gutters direct rainwater away from your home, preventing water damage to the walls and foundation. This can help maintain the integrity of your home’s insulation, reducing the strain on your heating and cooling systems. By preventing water-related damage, you contribute to the overall energy efficiency of your home, leading to potential savings on your energy bills.

Summer is undeniably the best time to install new gutters on your home in Cincinnati. The favorable weather conditions, the opportunity to prepare for the harsher seasons, the availability of contractors, and the potential to enhance your home’s value and efficiency all contribute to making summer the ideal time for this home improvement project. Don’t wait until the fall rush or the onset of winter weather; take advantage of the summer months to ensure your home is well-protected and looking its best with new gutters.

What Problems Can Gutter Guards Prevent?

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Gutter guards, also known as gutter screens or leaf guards, are designed to prevent debris such as leaves, twigs, and other debris from entering and clogging up gutters. By keeping gutters free of debris, gutter guards can prevent several problems, including:

  1. Water damage: Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and damage your roof, siding, and foundation.
  2. Pest infestations: Debris-filled gutters can attract pests such as rodents, birds, and insects. Gutter guards prevent debris buildup, which reduces the likelihood of pest infestations.
  3. Ice dams: In cold climates, such as Cincinnati winters, clogged gutters can cause ice dams to form, which can damage your roof and cause water to seep into your home. Gutter guards prevent clogs, which reduces the risk of ice dams forming.
  4. Gutter maintenance: Without gutter guards, gutters need to be cleaned regularly (typically once per year) to prevent clogs. Gutter guards reduce the amount of maintenance needed to keep your gutters functioning properly.
  5. Extended gutter life: Gutter guards can extend the life of your gutters by reducing the amount of debris that enters and clogs them. Clogs can cause gutters to sag or pull away from your home, leading to costly repairs. By preventing clogs, gutter guards can help your gutters last longer.
  6. Improved home appearance: Clogged gutters can be an eyesore, and they can make your home look unkempt. Gutter guards keep debris out of gutters, which can improve the appearance of your home.
  7. Increased home value: Gutter guards can increase the value of your home by preventing damage that can occur from clogged gutters. Prospective buyers may be willing to pay slightly more for a home with a gutter protection system knowing that it will save them maintenance cost later.
  8. Reduced fire risk: In dry climates, clogged gutters can become a fire hazard. Debris in gutters can ignite, potentially causing a fire. Gutter guards prevent debris from accumulating in gutters, reducing the risk of fire. This is less of a concern for Cincinnatians but is still worth knowing.
  9. Reduced health risks: When gutters become clogged with debris, they can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which can pose health risks to you and your family. Gutter guards can prevent debris buildup and reduce the risk of health problems.

In summary, gutter guards can prevent a wide range of problems associated with clogged gutters, including water damage, pest infestations, ice dams, and the need for frequent maintenance. They can also improve the appearance of your home, increase its value, and reduce the risk of fire and health hazards.

At EMA Construction we serve the greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas using only the best brands of gutter guards including Shur Flo and Bulldog. To learn more about our services or the warranties on our brands visit our website: https://www.emasiding.com/cincinnati-gutter-guards

Will Gutters Protect Your Home’s Foundation?

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Although it is still February, warmer weather is coming. Cincinnati tends to get a lot of rainfall in the spring so it is time to start looking at your home’s readiness. Many Cincinnatians experience wet basements from cracks in the foundation or soil around the house. There are a variety of reasons for this, but today we’ll discuss how gutters can protect your home’s foundation.

Gutters are channels that are installed along the roofline of your home, designed to collect rainwater and direct it away from the structure. Without gutters, rainwater can fall directly off the roof and collect at the base of your home, causing damage to the foundation. By installing gutters, you can prevent these issues by directing water away from your home’s foundation. It is important to ensure that the gutters are properly installed, maintained, and functioning optimally to ensure maximum protection for your foundation. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the downspouts are positioned to direct water at least 3-5 feet away from the foundation.

When rainwater is not properly directed away from the foundation, it can seep into the soil around your home, which can cause a range of problems, including:

  1. Soil erosion: Water that accumulates around the foundation of your home can erode the soil, which can cause the foundation to settle or shift.
  2. Basement flooding: Water can also seep into your basement or crawl space, causing damage to your home’s interior.
  3. Cracked foundation: Over time, the repeated cycle of water absorption and drying can cause the foundation to crack, which can lead to structural problems in your home.

Finally, it’s important to make sure that the gutters are installed properly and are in good working condition. This includes ensuring that they are properly sloped and have no blockages, as clogged gutters can lead to water backup and overflow. Even if you think your gutters are in good condition, you may want to call an expert like EMA Construction for a consultation. Overall, properly installed and maintained gutters can be an effective way to protect your home’s foundation from water damage.

For more information about gutter installation and maintenance, visit https://www.emasiding.com/cincinnati-gutters. We serve the greater Cincinnati and Dayton areas including Lebanon, Loveland, Blue Ash, and more.

Cincinnati Gutter and Downspout Repair After Windstorm

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This Cincinnati customer had damage from a windstorm on their gutters and downspouts. As you’ll see in the first picture, the downspout is disconnected at the top and bottom. You can also see that the downspout no longer runs parallel to the house as it is barely attached. This means water was pouring straight into this homeowner’s foundation. He called EMA Construction for help and within a business day we had our crew out there to reattach his downspout to the house and reconnect it to the gutter and drain.

Read below to hear about his experience with EMA Construction:

Read Mike J.‘s review of EMA Construction on Yelp

Here are some before and after pictures of his gutters:

Before

This is the after photo from EMA Construction's repair of this Cincinnati homeowner's gutter downspout.

After

What Time of Year Should You Clean Your Gutters?

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In a city that experiences four seasons, like Cincinnati, lots of homeowners ask how often they need to clean their gutters and what time of year is best. For standard gutters, the answer is typically twice per year in the spring and fall. These answers are relatively intuitive and confirmed by most experts.

Why Clean Gutters in the Fall

The rationale for cleaning your gutters in autumn is that leaves tend to fall en masse from late September through early November. While gutters can be clogged by all kinds of debris, the most common issue is a large amount of dead leaves. Additionally, it is important to clean your gutters before winter. If gutters are backed up with resting water, they will likely expand when the first freeze comes. Depending on the amount of water this can permanently damage or break your gutters.  The cycle of freezing and thawing can build ice dams that are likely to

Why Clean Gutters in the Spring

If you missed your chance to clean your gutters before winter then you definitely want to clean them in early spring.  In most places, spring gets the most rainfall. Consequently, if there is a problem with your gutters being backed up then you’re going to find out very quickly in the rainy months. Spring also has its own share of debris like leaves, twigs, and pollen which can contribute to gutter issues. If you’re on the recommended schedule of cleaning your gutters twice per year, then you should consider fall (before the first freeze) and late spring so that they are clean all summer and ready for the barrage of autumn leaves.

Clean Gutters Less Often with Gutter Guards

If you find cleaning your gutters to be a hassle then it is usually affordable to hire professionals to clean them for you, but twice per year can become expensive. As an alternative to constant cleaning, you can consider installing gutter guards.  When properly installed they reduce the effort required in cleaning and in most cases reduce the frequency of cleaning. To learn more read our top 5 Reasons to Install Gutter Guards.

If you need new gutter, gutter guard, or even a consultation about your gutter situation then contact EMA Construction today for a free estimate.

5 Reasons to Install Gutter Guards

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One of the services that we offer at EMA Construction is gutter guard installation. Our professional installers use the best available products to protect your gutters and home.  But some people may still wonder, do you really need gutter guards?  Here are the top five reasons that you should install gutter guards in your home!

1. Gutter Guards Reduce the Cost and Frequency of Cleaning

For most homeowners, a bi-annual gutter cleaning is recommended which costs around $160 per session.  This is a total of $320 per year to clean your existing gutters. Gutter guard cleaning is much simpler than gutter cleaning and no gutter guard system requires bi-annual cleaning. Most homeowners find that cleaning gutter guards once per year or once every other year is sufficient to keep them working properly.

2. Gutter Guards Prevent Water Damage Inside and Outside of Your Home

Overflowing gutters can create all sorts of problems for homeowners.  Heavy rain combined with clogged gutters can lead to flood basements, mold buildup in your siding or insulation, or even damage landscaping from large bodies of resting water. If you’ve ever dealt with water issues in your home then you know that water can find its way anywhere.  A healthy gutter system directs the water so it will only go where it is designed to and gutter guards are the best way to keep your gutter system healthy.

3. Prevent Animal, Critter, and Insect Infestation

Nesting animals like rats and birds frequently use gutters as a place to set up their nest. In addition to their nests creating problems, their droppings can also clog your system.  Insects like wasps and ants can also find their way into your gutters. Gutter guards help to prevent animals from using your gutters as a nesting area and can reduce their access to your roof.

4. Reduce the Likelihood of Fire.

This one may surprise some people!  Debris from trees (leaves and twigs) can accumulate in your gutters and downspouts.  Left untreated these can be a fire hazard. An outdoor bonfire or even a barbecue may create the conditions for dried-up debris to catch fire.  This is not only a risk for places that have an elevated risk of wildfires, but places like Cincinnati and Dayton can have long stretches of dry heat in the summer that create the right conditions for a fire.

5. Reduce Ice Dam Formation

One of the disadvantages of Cincinnati’s four seasons is that in the summer the gutters can be at risk of fire and our winters can create freezing problems.  Winter is hard on gutters. Water accumulates in them when they’re clogged. When freezing temperatures come, that resting water can free and cause ice dams to form. Ice dams can lead to water damage in your home or roof not to mention the damage to your gutter system. Gutter guards, installed properly, significantly reduce ice dam formation.

There are more reasons to consider, but those five are the top reasons to consider investing in your home with a gutter guard system. The upfront cost can create a little sticker shock for some folks, but it is important to remember that you’ll save an average of $320 per year on gutter cleaning. Others are tempted to install their own gutter guards, but there is nothing worse than a big investment negated by faulty installation.  Instead, get a free estimate from EMA Construction on your gutter guard installation and get the most from your money and the best protection for your home!

Three Things to Consider When Replacing Your Gutters

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Gutters play an essential role in your roof’s performance.  They are your walls and foundations number one protection from water falling off the roof.  They can sometimes need replacement due to weather, ice dams, or tree lambs.  Replacement can also be needed when gutters are not seamless and leaking is noticed in the corners or overlaps.

Before replacing your gutters, consider these things:

Signs Gutters Need Replacement

In most cases, gutters are sturdier than they might appear.  Do not fall victim to roofing companies that push you to replace your gutters just because a gutter may have a viewable blemish or two.  Gutters need to be replaced if:

  • There are more than half a dozen large cracks, holes, or rust spots.
  • Broken fasteners continue to happen after you have repaired them.
  • Nails or screws are found on the ground due to gutter wear.
  • Gutters are separating from one another frequently.
  • Continuous spacing between your roofline and your gutters.
  • Gutters that are sagging.
  • Exterior paint peeling off due to water damage.
  • Water is pooling or spilling over from your gutters after heavy rainfall.
  • Landscape is eroding due to water damage from your gutters.
  • Regular basement flooding from water getting near your foundation.

Check Your Fascia Board

Fascia board is what your gutters are attached too and is typically made of wood.  Since fascia is made of wood, it has the tendency to rot from excessive moisture that can sometimes accumulate in gutters during rain or snow.  Fascia boards are usually covered with flat stock aluminum coil to reduce the moisture, but water can still get behind this and rot the fascia.  Because of this, when replacing your gutters, make sure your fascia board has not rotten or is not showing any signs of potential rotting before you place your new gutters on.  If you do attach a new gutter to a rotted board, the gutter will fall off and need replacing again soon.  Specifically look out for this with older homes.

If your home’s fascia board needs replacement consider using a material that is not prone to rotting, like PVC trim board.

Cost of Replacing Gutters

Aluminum and vinyl gutters are easily affordable.  Typically home department stores sell gutters per ten feet sections so price can vary on the size of your home and number of gutter sections needing replaced.  Other materials needed include downspouts, downspout extenders, sealant, hangers or clips, end caps, join connectors, and screws. 

If you are contemplating replacing your gutters, contact EMA Construction for more information.  EMA Construction’s qualified roofers are able to assist in the replacement or repair of your gutters.