Toronto Eavestroughing

Strong Durable Eavestroughs

2012-02-01T20:51:00.001-05:00

Combining a quality eavestrough of proper thickness with a proper fastening system can create some very impressive results.

Walking on a eavestrough represents more weight than most eavestroughs will ever encounter.

Do not attempt this with out the proper fall protection equipment! (strong eavestroughs are a must as well)

Visit www.eavestrough.ca

Winter Eavestrough Installation

2012-02-01T20:29:00.001-05:00

Winter is no reason not to get your eavestroughs replaced. All our products we use like sealants are not affected by water or cold temperature. We can assure you that the quality of the install is on par with summer as we maintain our quality with our 40 point inspection checklist. Summer heat or winter cold we maintain the highest standards.

This winter we have remained busy due warm weather and unusual rainfall. As in the pictures below we always use safety ropes as required by law.

A client told me last week that if you enjoy your work you will never work another day in your life. Great advice I say!

Visit www.eavestrough.ca

Proper Fastening Prevents Falling Eavestroughs

2012-02-01T19:59:00.002-05:00

Eavestroughs should not fall off a home like this one. This can be a hazard to anyone below and also can create water problems if the home is prone to a leaky basement.

Ice and snow can put a strain on the eavestrough and if its not fastened properly it will come loose.

Upon closer inspection we can see that the screws that were used to hold the eavestrough to the wood fascia were way to small and did not have enough holding power under the slightest snow load.

The screw used to fasten this bracket was only about one inch long and not very large in diameter so it did not have much grip in the wood. Little short cuts like this one cause alot of problems a few years later. This company may have been trying to save a dollar or two by using these or maybe they had no idea they would not hold. Maybe they didn't care? Either way the homeowner loses and has to pay again to do the job over. Make sure the contractor you hire to work around your home cares and uses quality materials.

Visit www.eavestrough.ca

Sponge Leaf Guard Fire Hazard

2012-01-03T19:52:00.003-05:00

Heater cables in your sponge gutter guard may be a fire hazard. Heater cables are safest when installed away from combustible material. In the event that there is a short in the heater cable there could be a spark that could ignite the sponge.

This brief video shows how flammable it is:

Thanks for checking out our blog! Our website is www.eavestrough.ca

Protecting Our Toronto Watershed

2011-10-28T20:56:00.002-04:00

A big concrete and paved jungle like Toronto creates some very unnatural water flow issues in our creeks and ravines. About 70 per cent of the water that falls in the city does not absorb into the ground like it would normally. Most of the city can not absorb water and this is why every time we get a good rain our streams seem fill to the brim with dirty rushing water.

If you are interested in making a difference in the quality of our streams and lake then you might be interested in looking at a group called Riversides. They are a non profit organization that is trying to make a big difference one home at a time. They are huge advocates of homeowners containing as much of their rain water on their own property via rain barrels and of course disconnecting your downpipes.

They are located at a little office at 511 Richmond Street West, downtown Toronto.

Parking was a bit tight so luckily I took the little Smart Car!

They have their own custom rain barrel which does not require the conventional Y diverter as this barrel has it built in.

They introduced me to the low pressure soaker hose called Mr Soaker hose which is designed to operate with rain barrels.

You will see some of their rain barrels around town like shown below at the Common Carrot in the Danforth.

If you are interested in learning more about Riversides then check out their website discussing their rain barrels: http://www.riversides.org/index.php?cat=4

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Basement Waterproofing

2011-10-27T21:00:00.003-04:00

Water in your basement is a common problem in Toronto. The proximity of one house to another, improperly sloped lots, and malfunctioning eavestroughs are some of the the most common reasons for water entering your foundation.

Its important to ensure your eavestroughs are not clogged or overflowing as this water will cause lots of basement problems. You might try fixing your eavestroughs or relocating problem downpipes before you decide to dig. It can be cheaper than digging up the side of your home. Many homeowners will decide to waterproof plus ensure the eavestroughs are up to snuff.

Digging up around your home is a big job. Its alot of manual labor as most waterproofing companies will shovel all the dirt out to minimize damage to the landscape. Machinery may be quicker but it creates more damage that needs to be fixed later.

It can involve some tight situations.

Getting under decks and porches can be tricky!

Its important the membrane extend around and under the porch. It makes sense to protect your basement from the outside and stopping the water before it reaches the walls. Battling water problems from the inside might be cheaper but doesn't make as much sense to me. In some difficult situations where exterior work is not possible then it makes sense to work from the inside.

Its important to use quality materials as once they are installed they are going to be buried and not easy to fix or replace if something fails.

If possible reroute or extend your downpipes so that they no longer have to go into these the city sewer system. With some houses the downpipes will have to be reconnected if there are no options due to the disconnecting of pipes causing a hazardous situation.

Ensure downpipe extensions are long enough so water flows away from your home and away from your neighbors home if close by.

A reputable company to contact for waterproofing is Watertite. I met Angelo on one of their projects and he was happy to explain the process of how to waterproof a house properly. They definitely take pride in their work. They are in high demand with all the fall rains recently. Their website is www.watertite.ca

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Rainguard Self-Retracting Downspout Extensions

2011-10-23T10:49:00.001-04:00

We get lots of questions about what type of extension works best for safely draining water away from the house. Downspouts in an awkward area like across a walkway are usually troublesome no matter what you decide to use. We often use flip up downspouts that we make or have the extension come off easily with a pin. However both of these require some anticipation of rain and you will have put the flip up down or attach the extension to prevent water from pooling around your foundation. It seems like the obvious choice to hook up an automatic device like the Rainguard downspout extension.

So I bought one of these to give it a try so I could have some real world experience with this on my own home.

It attaches securely to the end of the downspout or elbow easily with a zip tie provided.

As it rolls out with the water pressure from the downspout it slowly unwinds and lets water out the little holes until it rolls out completely letting all the water out the end where there is a big opening.

Once the rain stops the spring inside the plastic hose will retract itself back into its original compact shape. We had a big rain shortly after it was installed and it worked as promised on the package and retracted almost completely to its most compact size.

Limitations of the Rainguard:

1. It seems that on a light rain it will not uncoil very far from its compact position which depending on your situation may not be far enough away from the basement.

2. The little drainage holes on the top of the Rainguard are located close to the start which may be too close to your home.

3. Its thin plastic and the day after I installed it I came home to see that the grass cutters have whipper snipped the side out of it. So much for the longevity factor. Its fragile construction is likely why I have yet to remember finding an operating Rainguard on someones home.

4. A brisk wind may blow it around as its fairly light.

Since the one I purchased got damaged so quickly I saw it in action but never had a chance to record it, I have linked to the manufacturers website where they have a video of it in action.

http://www.rainguardusa.com/

If anyone out there has some feedback on this product please comment below for the benefit of those who may be considering purchasing one.

Visit our website http://www.eavestrough.ca

DIY Clip N Guard Leaf Protection

2011-09-16T09:57:00.008-04:00

If you are looking for a quality do it yourself leaf guard that is designed by the same company that supplies the professionals you might consider the Alu-Rex Clip N Guard.

It is geared towards the homeowner who wants a sturdy gutter protection but is easy to install with no special tools or fasteners needed. It just snaps in place! Its made of aluminum so it will not rust and is compatible with your aluminum gutters. It comes with a 25 year warranty that you will not have a clog in your gutter.

Cleaning your gutters is an unappealing job on the list of household duties, plus it can be dangerous so having a leaf guard will reduce the frequency or eliminate the need to clean at all. A slight breeze will blow all debris away on most homes.

If you live in a treed area leaf guards are a must. With no leaf guard your gutters become one big leaf trap. Leaf protection will keep the leaves up out of the gutter and keep them free flowing. When leaves are kept out of the gutter by a leaf guard they can blow away by a slight wind. If the leaves are down in the gutter they will not blow out!

The Clip N Guard comes in 3 foot pieces and snaps down in place under the front lip of the gutter. Its that easy. The holes are large enough to let all the water through but keep the large downspout clogging debris out. Its also easy to remove if you ever want to take a peek inside.

The old screen/mesh leaf guards of the past had to openings that are to big and were hard to secure properly. These mesh leaf guards are most likely why most homeowners feel that leaf guards do not work well. They worked okay at best. They required cleaning underneath with too much debris getting into the gutter. This resulted in extra work or charges from gutter cleaning companies. See the picture below of the old mesh as compared to the more modern leaf guard design.

The good thing about the Clip N Guard for the DIY homeowner is that it can be cut to length with a good pair of scissors. Most people would have these at home.

The leaf guard sits high on the gutter resting on the brackets or spikes that you have in your gutter already. This leaves lots of space under the leaf guard for water to flow unimpeded.

If you have corners on your home there is a template that comes with each box to show you how to properly cut inside or outside corners.

If you are not comfortable working on a ladder then please call a professional and they can handle this project for you. We have professional versions of this leaf guard that is screwed down in place. However I wrote this blog post for those who will be doing their own gutter protection so I hope to be of help in your product selection and application. Check out our video below of how easy it is to install.

Th Clip N Guard is currently on special on The Shopping Channel where your order comes with a free gutter scoop for cleaning out your gutter and a free pair of heavy duty scissors. Here is the link:

http://www.theshoppingchannel.com/Cleaning/Alu-Rex-Clip-N-Guard-Gutter-Protection-60-Feet/pages/productdetails?nav=R:626147

It can also be bought at Costo.

You can check out the Clip N Guard website at: http://www.clipnguard.com/

If you live in the GTA and would like a quote for the professional version called the T-Rex or Gutter Clean System which are also made by Alu-Rex then please call our office at 416 615 0443 or visit our website at http://www.eavestrough.ca.
Visit our Google Place page at http://g.co/maps/t9xqc

What Gauge Aluminum Is Best For Eavestroughs

2011-07-13T09:02:00.001-04:00

There are basically 3 main thicknesses of aluminum that are used for eavestrough:

1. .023 of an inch which is most commonly used as it has the widest color selection and can hold up to most residential applications. It is available in about 35 different colors from our supplier.

2. .027 of an inch which is slightly thicker than the .023 and is available in about 15 colors from our supplier.

3. 0.32 of an inch which is the thickest aluminum that our seamless machines can form. It is available in about 15 colors as well. This heavy gauge is commonly used for the larger 6 inch eavestrough but we have it this coil slit down to fit in our 5 inch machines.

We can check the thickness of our heavy gauge .032 aluminum using a digital caliper as shown below:

Any eavestrough company that works with a good supplier of aluminum will be able to provide all these thicknesses of aluminum coil. Our standard .023 gauge eavestrough is our most common thickness on most residential applications. We do recommend the .032 thickness for houses that have snow slides which often happen with slippery steel roofs. If you are thinking of getting a steel roof make sure you plan for snow guards all the way around the home if possible to keep the snow from sliding off and damaging your eavestroughs.

A very important factor for creating a strong eavestrough is to use a quality fastener (bracket) with a space between fasteners of no more then 24 inches. To make an eavestrough stronger simply install the brackets closer together like about 12 or 16 inches apart and there will be much more resistance to ice build up and ladder damage.

See a quality hanger with a large deep screw that will not come loose from the wood fascia:

The standard .023 thickness is lots strong for most applications when installed properly. The cost to upgrade to the .032 heavy gauge eavestrough will add about 2 to 3 dollars per foot installed.

A great way to upgrade the strength of any gauge eavestrough is to add a leafgaurd/bracket system like the T-Rex. It comes in 8 foot long pieces and snaps into the eavestrough before the eavestroughs are secured on the home.

Check out our video of us testing out our standard gauge .023 eavestrough and T-Rex leafgaurd.

Mandatory Downspout Disconnect Due Dates City Of Toronto

2011-04-17T16:20:00.059-04:00

As most Toronto homeowners know (or have heard a bit about) there is a by-law to have downspouts removed from city drains. The city is focusing on the downtown area first because some of the sewer system there is called a combined system. This is where the water coming off your roof may mix with the sewage system. This is a major problem when we get a heavy downpour. The water treatment facilities become overloaded and dump raw sewage into the rivers and lake.Not great if you are one of those who like to swim in the lake in the summer. Anyone who cares for Toronto's water quality may be concerned as well. The deadline for this area is November 20, 2011

Second in priority is an area from about Steeles Ave down to Eglinton Ave. (Check link to map below as this is approximate.) This area has a newer system and is not considered a combined system but still has problems in dealing with all the roof water being added to the storm sewer system. Problems are encountered during heavy rains. The volume is too much and they become overloaded causing the water to back up into your basement. All this water off your roof also concentrates in the creeks and streams causing flooding and erosion. The deadline for this area is December 3, 2013.

Program experts with the City of Toronto can be reached at 416 392 1807 to help clarify any questions you have.

The remainder of the Toronto needs to be disconnected by December 3, 2016.

Key points to make the process easier:

1. Not every downpipe will have to be removed from the drains. The city of Toronto does not expect to have every downpipe removed. You must determine if the property is graded properly to drain water away from your home. Keep in mind that the water must not flow towards the neighbors and create a problem for them either. (If having waterproofing work done on the exterior of your home do not allow the contractor to remove any of the drains unless there is a plan to relocate the downpipe or allow the water to safely flow away from your home.)

2. Keep water back from sidewalks.

3. If the downpipe cannot drain safely onto the ground in the position it is in then you must look at the possibility of moving it to another location if feasible. This can sometimes require extensive regrading or replacing of the eavestrough (depending on age of the system).

4. Enlisting the help of an eavestrough/gutter professional will help clarify what is possible and what is not.

5. Some downpipe disconnects require not much more than a few simple tools, an elbow and a piece of downpipe. These are easy for just about anybody to do. We have posted a video below for those who want to do this project themselves. We also provide a link to Toronto's do it yourself guidelines below.

6. If a downpipe is in a poor location it is sometimes possible to delete it completely by using larger downpipes to handle the extra flow and proper grading of the eavestrough to a new location.

7. The homeowner and knowledgeable contractor must determine which downpipes can be safely disconnected. If there seems to be no solution then the homeowner must apply for an exemption.

8. For downpipes that cross walkways consider digging under walkways using 4 inch PVC pipe so that there is no downpipe extension to get in the way. If the property slopes away from the home quickly then this is very easy to do. If the property is more flat then a pop up drain system may be more suitable. The only drawback of this system is that the underground pipes usually stay full of ice in the winter.

9. Draining water onto driveways is not a great alternative for improving the city's water quality as the water just flows out to the street and into a storm drain. This defeats the purpose of the disconnect and can be icy in the winter.

10. Its a great time to think about taking things one step farther and incorporating a rain barrel into your eavestrough system and harvest some of that water for a later time. If hooking up a barrel you will need to add a Y diverter so the barrel can be removed in winter and also redirect the water when the barrel is full. Rain barrels fill very quickly so do not depend on them to contain all the water from a downpipe.

11. Poor grading around your home that can be fixed by filling sunken areas with clay will help get the water away properly. You are expected to do this if it means that the downpipe can be disconnected properly.

12. If unsure of the grading/slope of your ground around your home you can test an area before disconnecting your pipe. Simply turn your garden hose on and let it run for awhile where you plan to put your new downspout. Within a half hour of running the hose you will see where the water is going to go and make decisions based on this information.

13. Built up flower beds around homes are usually not good areas to drain water if there are retaining walls. The walls often hold the water to close to the home plus the water can cause damage to the walls.

Helpful links and videos:

Here is the link to the new upgraded map on Toronto's website which will make it easy to see when your deadline is to have your downpipes disconnected.
http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/mandatory_downspout_disconnection.htm

Link to apply for an excemption: http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/mandatory_downspout_disconnection_exemption.htm

Here is a video we put together to assist you in disconnecting your downpipes yourself. It is quite easy to do and will do wonders for the water quality in Toronto and the often reduce the chance of leaks in your basement if done properly. It is about 7 minutes long so may only be interested if you want some technical information. Here is our YouTube link to this video as I can never get it to fit as good into this blog as it should. http://youtu.be/BNJ0mH4_M9M

Here is the link to the how to guide put out by the city of Toronto.
http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/downspout_diy.htm

Here is a link for a not for profit company called Riversides based out of downtown Toronto. They have been instrumental in educating homeowners on the benefits of water conservation and storm water management. You can purchase a rain barrel from them and have it delivered in the downtown. They also have good tips to consider.
http://www.riversides.org/rainguide/riversides_hgr.php?cat=2&page=39&subpage=41

Your local hardware stores may have some of the basic size downpipes and colors that you need to do the job yourself. If you need more specialized sizes or colors there is a retail store at Victoria Park and Danforth called Danforth Roofing. We have featured them in a previous blog post:
http://torontoeavestroughing.blogspot.com/2010/09/where-to-find-quality-eavestrough-parts.html

Homeowners in the GTA have a opportunity to make a big difference in the quality of the Lake Ontario and watersheds that lead to the Lake. This can be accomplished just by draining or saving your rainwater on your property.

This whole downspout disconnect can seem like a real pain but in many instances getting your downspouts out of the old clay drains around your home might save you lots of trouble with leaks into your basement as they crack and shift and often dump water right along your foundation without you knowing! Out of sight and out of mind can really hurt the wallet down the road when you have to excavate the side of your home to water proof or fix mold problems in your damp basement.

Visit our website http://www.eavestough.ca/ or call our office at 416 615 0443. North Shore Eavestroughing are experts at installing new eavestrough and leafgaurd systems to protect your home, maximize water flow onto your property and keep it out of the Toronto's storm sewers. We have a $575.00 minimum charge for small projects. Sorry but we so not serve south of Eglinton in the downtown core but hope this information will be helpful for you if you live downtown.

Visit our Google Place page http://g.co/maps/t9xqc

Window Wells Can Cause Basement Flooding

2011-04-04T12:34:00.003-04:00

Tips:

1. Keep all downpipes as far away as possible from window wells when designing your new eavestrough system.

2. If a downpipe is close to a window well ensure it is fastened together very secure so that it can not fall apart and fill the well with water.

3. If you suspect that there is not proper drainage at the bottom of the well consult a basement waterproofing company to inspect. There should be a drain at the bottom to take water away so it does not enter your basement.

As shown in the picture below, the downspout drains near the window well. Its very likely that water flows into this window well from this downspout. This window well is in obvious need of attention. A temporary fix would be to add a long extention on the elbow to get the water farther from the basement window.

Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/ or call us at 416 615 0443 for a free estimate for your eavestrough and leafgaurd project. We are experts in Toronto eavestrough.

What Size Eavestrough Do I Need?

2011-03-05T14:05:00.002-05:00

One of the most popular questions asked when considering a new eavestrough system is which size is appropriate for my home.

The most common size today is 5 inch wide. This will take care of most all residential applications with just a few exceptions.

1. These would include a very large shingle or roof overhang that causes the water to shoot over the top of the eavestrough. This is usually only seen on a clay tile roof where the bottom row of stone tile hangs way out past the fascia.

2. A large roof area flows into a short length of eavestrough. Usually this is in an inside valley area where the flow of water is concentrated.

Six inch eavestrough can handle a higher volume of water because it is not only wider but also deeper. This is good for water flow but does not fit well on homes that have a regular 6 inch wide fascia. The 6 inch eavestrough ends up hanging off the fascia as it is angled down to the downspout and can look unsightly.

Larger 6 inch eavestroughs are generally reserved for commercial applications which normally have at least a 8 inch wide fascia board.

The above picture shows an example of a large roof area/valley flowing into a 6 inch eavestrough. 6 inch was used here to help ensure that there will be no water bypassing the eavestrough. Its extra challenging to contain all the water in a area like this because of the speed the water shoots off the inside valley. Because we almost always use leafgaurd this adds to the challenge. The extra wide eavestrough here helps give more surface area to the leafgaurd allowing the water to drain faster. Even with the larger eavestrough proper valley splash guards must be used to prevent overflows. Another trick is to drill slightly larger holes in the T-Rex to allow for better drainage.

The biggest mistake in the book is to install 6 inch eavestrough but not use at least a large 3x4 downpipe. Using a 3x3 downpipe on a eavestrough this size is a waste of capacity.

A properly sloped 5 inch eavestrough with the same large 3x4 pipes installed will drain the exact same amount of water as a 6 inch eavestrough.

The advantage of using a 6 inch eavestrough is that the downpipe size can be upgraded to a 4x5 inch downpipe which will really make sense with such a big eavestrough. However most people will not like the look of these huge commercial downpipes on their home.

In summary 6 inch is generally only required for commercial purposes where the size is proportionate and the downpipes can be upgraded to 4x5 without looking out of place.

Visit our website at http://www.eavestrough.ca/ Also check out our You Tube channel www.youtube.com/torontoeavestrough where we have almost 50 videos on eavestrough and leafgaurd.

8 Ways To Combat Ice Dams

2011-02-12T11:57:00.014-05:00

Its very important to understand that the ice build up shown below is usually the result of a heat loss problem in the attic. The heat loss through the ceiling and lack of proper ventilation need to be addressed.

Never let anyone tell you that installing new eavestroughs will have a significant impact on any ice issues you may experience with your home. A proper functioning eavestrough system are definitely an important part of the big picture that may help with this problem but new eavestroughs will not eliminate ice build up if the heat loss problem isn't taken care of.

Properly functioning eavestrough is essential for proper rainwater management around your home. In the winter we are dealing with snow melting due to heat loss and that is a different story. Snow melting on the roof will refreeze on the roof edge and eavestrough no matter what condition it is in because of below zero temperatures.

Ways to combat ice:

1. Prevent heat escape through the ceiling by making sure there are no major gaps around light fixtures to let warm air into the attic. This is best done from the attic and is easy to see once the loose fill insulation is pulled back a bit. Use spray foam to seal any gaps.

2. Make sure the insulation is about 16 inches thick to provide about an R-50 insulation value. Ensure its evenly spread and no bare spots which are often caused by people working in the attic to do electrical and not spreading the insulation back out properly after the work is completed. If youu have old style potlights have an electrician inspect them to make sure they are to code before covering over.

3. Ensure all bathroom vents actually vent directly outside the attic through the roof and not just laid into the soffit.

4. Visually inspect from the attic that the soffits on the home are actually providing fresh cold air. You should be able to see a clear path to the soffit in the form of a baffle attached to the underside of the roof. Often you can see daylight if their is a clear path to a vented soffit. If you plan on getting your attic blown in, ensure baffles are installed if needed to ensure the ventilation to the soffit is not compromised.

5. Ensure that there are enough vents at the peak of your roof to let any heat out.

6. Install heater cables on the roof edge , eavestrough and down pipe. Note that this will not deal with the root cause of the ice. This is just throwing more energy at a energy loss issue. However careful use is needed in some cases. Some houses would require a major renovation to get to the root cause of heat loss due to vaulted ceilings etc.

7. Remove the snow off the roof so it can not melt and cause problems. Some roof tops can be reached from the ground using a roof snow rake which is much safer then going up a ladder this time of year.

8. Inspect soffits from the exterior to ensure that most or better yet all of the soffits are perforated with little holes to let the attic breathe. Unfortunately many homes have a layer of plywood hidden under the aluminum soffit which ideally should be removed to allow for maximum ventilation. To determine this a piece of soffit will need to be partially removed to inspect. Most homes built before the 80s will have this plywood. Its there because wood was used to cover in the soffits back then, not aluminum. When the aluminum soffits were done at a lter point to cover the old plywood, the installers normally did not remove it to save time. At the very least make sure there is a 1 foot square hole cut in the old plywood every 8 feet. Every piece of new soffit should be perforated.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Stripes On Gutters

2011-02-12T10:34:00.002-05:00

These stipes seen on this eavestrough are called tiger stripes. They are normal on light colored eavestrough. White shows up the stripes the most of course.

These are caused by dirt that sits on the top edge of the eavestrough. The dirt gets washed over the front with the rain.

We have solutions for this if it is imperative that you never want to see tiger stripes. We have can use an upgraded version of the T-Rex which has a build in drip edge.

The picture shown is an example of how they can be cleaned off with great results. The key thing is to make sure it is not left to long or the dirt will stain the finish on the gutter. This gutter was almost 2 years old and cleaned up nicely.

The cleaner we used was Spray Nine which is a multi purpose cleaner an can be found at Canadian Tire.

Visit our site at www.eavestrough.ca

Working At Heights Safely

2011-01-25T19:28:00.004-05:00

Every year in Ontario people fall while performing work at heights. Fortunately there are preventative measures that can be taken to protect workers who are at risk. Ropes and harnesses are required by law for anyone working over 10 feet high.

Inspectors are few and far between so the onus is on the companies to conduct themselves safely.

Homeowners can do their part by hiring companies that work safely. Don't be afraid to tell the contractor you are hiring that you expect safety on your property.

Knowing what the law is and how it can keep workers safe at heights really make it hard to turn a blind eye. Some high risk activities are roofing, eavestroughing, painting, and window and eavestrough cleaning.

Reduce your liability and hire smart. You may save a life!

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Why Do Downpipes Fill With Ice?

2011-01-23T20:06:00.020-05:00

Iced up downpipes are often cause for concern. You may wonder if the ice is blocking the downpipe due to a blockage of some sort. While this can be a factor in some cases its more than likely just frozen water. The snow on the roof melts off the roof due to heat loss through the attic. The melted snow then runs down into the downpipe which is not heated by the roof or in direct sunlight. The water instantly turns back to ice creating a ice filled downpipe.

Adding more downpipes or larger downpipes are not effective strategies for solving this probem. They will ice up just the same as the problem downpipe. If you really want to solve this you have to go to the root cause which is generally a heat loss issue in the attic. If fixing the insulation or ventilation in the attic is not feasible due to money or logistic reasons then a heater cable traced down the pipe can be very effective to keep you pipes free of ice.

A quick video of a home with no ice issues. The pipe stays free of ice and snow.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

We Are Booking Up Fast!

2010-11-09T21:38:00.003-05:00

Its important to have all the necessary equipment in order to complete your eavestroughs safely and efficiently. A neighbor pondered at all our ladders and was quick to mention that it looked like we were holding up the side of this house. Lots of ladders make the job much easier for our installers and are made of fiberglass instead of aluminum for safety around power lines.

The first half of November has been great working weather. The phones have been busy as homeowners realize winter may be just around the corner. We still have some openings before winter sets in. We work all winter long so not to worry if you book your project late. There is no sacrifice in quality by doing your eavestroughs in the winter. We can often give winter discounts for those who are ok with waiting until our season settles down. Just let us know when we come to estimate so we can price it both ways.

Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/ or call us at 416.615.0443 for a free estimate.

Warm White LED Soffit Lighting

2010-11-08T21:25:00.014-05:00

Today we completed another soffit, fascia, eavestrough and LED light project. I want to show a couple of pictures of the end result. The lighting project only consisted of only four recessed LED lights but had a big effect. It really created that wow factor in terms of curb appeal. When changing the eavestroughs and/or soffit and fascia its a perfect time to install a low voltage light system.

LED pot lights vary in cost from about $200.00 to $300.00 per light installed depending on the quantity and level of difficulty.

Feel free to email us pictures of your proposed lighting project to darren@eavestrough.ca Visit www.eavestrough.ca or call our office at 416.615.0443.

Click the link to below if you are interested in seeing or buying the product we use. This is a direct link to the manufacturer if you are handy and can do the installation yourself as we are a supply and install company only.

We provide a full Exterior LED Lighting service when you have us do your eavestrough work, but if you purchase LED product directly, enjoy an extra bonus discount checkout coupon that you can use at the www.delphitech.com online factory outlet: ns123

How To Install LED Soffit Lighting

2010-10-22T21:14:00.022-04:00

We have been getting alot of interest about our LED soffit lighting and thought it would be good to put up another post which gives more information about them.

The new generation of recessed lights are warmer in color making the longevity and energy efficiency of LEDs even more appealing.

At about $200.00 to $300.00 per light installed, the lights are not for the price sensitive but are great for the homeowner who plans on staying in their home for awhile.

With a life expectancy of 20 years plus, there will be many years to appreciate the unique look, flexibility of placement and energy savings.

If you are handy and can do the installation yourself then here is a direct link to the manufacturer as we supply and install only.

We provide a full Exterior LED Lighting service when you have us do your eavestrough work, but if you purchase LED product directly, enjoy an extra bonus discount checkout coupon that you can use at the www.delphitech.com online factory outlet: ns123

A video for you to see how we easily install a LED recessed / pot light into an existing aluminum soffit:

A video of how we make the connections:

This video shows how to decide where to place the lights at an entrance area and also how to run wire in the existing soffits:

A video of how we configure the power source and automatic timer. The best location is in a garage or in a utility room. All that is required is a spare plug that we can plug this unit into.

We do installations here in the Toronto area. Visit our website at http://www.eavestrough.ca/ or email me at darren@eavestrough.ca for more information.

2010-10-10T13:46:00.002-04:00

Recently we were invited to a Home Show to speak with a panel of experts to give advice to homeowners on renovation dos and dont's.

It was hosted by Jay Purvis of the HGTV show The Fix
http://www.generalpurposepictures.com/thefix/meet.html

We were happy to speak on the importance of a proper functioning eavestough and leafgaurd system on your home. We gave tips and advice on how to prepare your gutters for the winter season.

Visit www.eavestrough.ca for more information or to contact a rain water management professional.

Onstage Connecting With Clients Event Hamilton

2010-10-03T20:39:00.003-04:00

This weekend North Shore Eavestroughing was invited to speak to small business owners at the Hamilton Ideal Home Show. It was an excellent opportunity to share the basics of social media to small business in Hamilton. It was a great success and we were thrilled to share the stage with media experts and contractors who are embracing social media.
(from left to right):

Tom Whitaker of Tiny Briefcase. A company who helps small business use technology to improve their business. www.tinybriefcase.com

Myself Darren Perry of North Shore Eavestroughing www.eavestrough.ca

Andrew Goodman, President of Page Zero Media and author of best selling book Winning Results with Google AdWords. A true expert on online pay per click campaigns. www.pagezero.com

Chris Healy also representing Tiny Briefcase.

Jerret Jastal of Stonecoat. An expert in resurfacing concrete outside and everything inside. www.texturock.com

Jeff Schnurr of Toronto Home Theater and Inview Marketing. www.inviewmarketing.ca

Definitely a great group of people and I highly recommend contacting them if you think they might be able to solve any of your problems.

Where to find quality eavestrough parts.

2010-09-20T11:45:00.006-04:00

We often get calls to our office asking if we can retail eavestrough parts like downpipes etc. Since we are primarily a supply and install company we thought we would give a great contact if you were looking for quality parts and may just want to do a repair yourself.

Danforth Roofing is located at 3145 Danforth Ave near Victoria Park and Danforth Ave.

Their phone number is 416 699 7127.

Danforth Roofing also has a metal bending shop that can custom bend any flashings etc that you might need. Wayne and the crew always give excellent service in the back shop.

Tara is always professional and ready to look after customers at the front desk.

They have different colors and accessories for downpipes. They also make Y diverters if you plan on installing a rain barrel and want to have control over the water. With a Y diverter you can divert the water out the downspout when the barrel is full.

Danforth Roofing has been offering us excellent service over the years, making Y diverters we need for installing barrels. Danforth gives homeowners the chance to purchase eavestrough accessories that are of better quality then what they would find at the local hardware store.

If you need a full service company contact North Shore Eavestroughing for a free estimate.
Our website: http://www.eavestrough.ca/
Our email: info@eavestrough.ca

Eavestroughing can be dangerous!

2010-09-12T02:23:00.011-04:00

I cannot stress the importance of hiring a contractor that takes safety very seriously.

Working on your roof or eavestroughs can be a very hazardous. Its way too often we hear in the news about someone falling to there death while working at heights.

In the event of a serious accident the fines can be in excess of $100,000.00.and these fines are not covered by insurance.

Besides these very important issues I believe that a person working on a home will do a much more quality job if they are not hanging on for dear life. There are many installers out there that are working unprotected. Remember no ones roof or eavestroughs are worth losing your life over.

Its imperitive to hire contractors that work according to the law. Anyone working over 10 feet must be certified in fall protection, have the ropes and harnesses and use it!

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Super Strong Eavestrough

2010-09-12T01:39:00.007-04:00

The good thing about the our eavestrough system is that it can handle alot of downward force and is not affected by ladders laying against them. They will not loosen as they are screwed tightly in place.(never nailed in any way)

Our clients often joke around about being able to hang from their new eavestroughs and sometimes we feel up to proving that its actually possible.(Do this in a low safe area if you decide to try)

We give new meaning to hanging around your home. Not only do we install a leafgaurd but a workout system as well. Now we have a excuse for skipping the gym.(Now I am joking about this part!)

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Downpipes Plugged Solid!

2010-09-12T01:17:00.006-04:00

Its way to often that we find downspouts that are completely plugged with old leaf debris.

No wonder that some eavestrough systems have overflows like Niagara Falls.

The debris seen in this pipe may have been in there for many years. The company responsible for cleaning this eavestrough has neglected to check the downpipes from top to bottom for obstructions.

Eavestrough cleaning companies that use the practice of dropping marbles down the downspouts to see if they are clear has its limitations. At one property we have found a pile of marbles on top of the debris at the base of the downspout. This means the eavestrough system has not worked for years and they have been billing the homeowner for cleanings.

This reinforces the need for some type of a leafgaurd to prevent debris from getting into your eavestrough and downpipes in the first place.

If you are unsure if your pipes are plugged and are unable to take them apart to inspect give them a tap and they should sound hollow. If they sound solid and hard consider having a eavestrough cleaning company come in to take them apart, clean them out and reinstall.

If your plugged downpipes are older and can afford it you might consider replacing the whole eavestrough system with leafgaurd and often larger downpipes.

Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/

How to gaurantee a flood in your basement!

2010-09-12T00:47:00.010-04:00

If you have a downspout that looks like this one you might want to give it some serious consideration.

This downpipe flow connects into an old clay weeping tile. These are prone to crack, deteriorate, and plug with debris and tree roots.

Can you imagine what could happen if this clay pipe fails during a heavy rain? It very likely would flood water right into this window well.

If the window well cannot drain the water away quick enough, water will build up and fill the window well. Most old basement windows are far from water proof and will allow water to enter the basement.

When designing a new eavestrough system for this home every effort must be made to move this downspout to a new location. One that is safer and will not put your basement at risk of a flood. If the property allows try to keep downpipes away from window wells.

Visit our website http://www.eavestrough.ca/

Improper Gutter Causes Roof Damage

2010-09-12T00:21:00.005-04:00

We happen to look next door at this home during an eavestrough project and seen some very evident problems.

The eavestrough has an open end which dumps water onto the roof instead of channeling it to the lower eavestrough via a downspout.

Over the years the high volume of water near the end of this gutter has slowly eroded the surface of the asphalt shingles.

You can see the layers of newer, different color shingles that have been installed to probably stop a leak into their home.

This probably was not enough to fix the problem as it seems that someone poured a bucket of black tar down the roof out of desperation.

Never allow a high volume of water to flow down your roof like this or you can expect premature roof wear.

When hiring a contractor to work on your home ensure that they have a do it right do it once attitude just like Mr Holmes says.

Visit http://www.eavestough.ca/ for more information.

Giant Pipe Cleaner Leafgaurd!

2010-09-11T23:58:00.011-04:00

Now as I stated in earlier blog posts I am a big believer in leafgaurd if you have trees on your property and any brand is better than nothing when it comes to reducing the frequency of cleaning.

However I may want to take that statement back if the new products entering the market place get any more wild than this.

We found these that resemble large pipe cleaners that you shove down into your eavestrough.

Sure they may be super easy to install but they seem to be great at catching and holding on to debris with all their little tentacles.

Not only that but the home we found them on looked a little funny from the street as they were poking out the top of all the eavestroughs.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Custom onsite metal fabrication.

2010-09-11T23:19:00.008-04:00

We have fully equipped trailers that come with 10 foot metal brakes to allow for any custom metal bending required.

Often eavestrough projects require aluminum fascia, flashing or drip edge to be fabricated on site. This ensures an exact, precise fit.

Tony is shown here in this picture bending some flashing to finish an eavestrough project.

We provide our installers with all the best equipment. As the saying goes in the construction world we are only as good as our tools. Its important to hire contractors that have all the necessary equipment to complete the task at hand no matter what the trade.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Silly stuff we find in eavestrough!

2010-09-11T22:58:00.012-04:00

Over the years we find all sorts of interesting things in the gutter. Most often its tennis balls or other things children tend to toss around the yard. I guess its another reason why you might want to consider a leafgaurd. It could be a ball, a mess of leaves or an action figure they all can plug the downspout and create an overflow situation.

I realize this post is more for entertainment then education but hey you have to have a little fun in our business. If anyone else has had some interesting in their gutter feel free to comment below.

North Shore Eavestroughing tries to make the best of an often unexciting topic. We are passionate about eavestrough and that's a good thing if you plan on becoming one of our clients!

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Signs of a major downpipe leak!

2010-09-11T22:21:00.012-04:00

If you look around the exterior or your home after a rain and see wet patches on the wall you may have a serious eavestrough/downpipe problem.

The upper downpipe elbow shown in this picture is dumping water onto the roof and wall. Its easy to see the large wet spot on the wall. In this case it has been happening so long that the water has allowed for a green stain to develop.

This situation can cause:

1. Water to which through the wall and create a mold growth on the interior side of the wall.

2. A leaky basement because its obvious water is not being directed into the lower eavestrough properly. This water is running down the wall and depositing near the foundation which can enter into your home.

3. Damage to the exterior finish of your home.

This can be easily corrected in this picture by using downpipe to properly connect upper downpipe to the lower eavestrough. If you are handy some repairs are easy to do yourself and can save you lots of money down the road. Many basic eavestrough supplies can be found at the local hardware store. Although the supplies at these stores are not of professional quality they will quite fine for a small fix up like this. For a major overhaul of your old, tired rainwater system visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/.

How not to do a downpipe

2010-07-23T15:28:00.006-04:00

This picture pretty much speaks for itself. You can not have proper functioning eavestroughs if there is a restriction with a downpipe. In this case the company that did this handywork may not have realized how this entire system was basically shut down due to how the downpipe was squeezed and jammed into the small galvanized downpipe that goes through the roof. We had to redirect this downpipe completely as the pipe through the roof was way too small.
Performance of an eavestroughing system can be jeopardized and prevented from flowing properly as a result from leaves caught in the downpipe and also using downpipes that are too small for the square footage of the roof.
Downpipes of proper size and clear of debris are key to controlling water around your property.

Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/ for our contact information and to arrange for a consultation with one of our eavestroughing professionals.

A Very Well Known Eavestrough Company Did This!

2010-07-23T15:24:00.010-04:00

Just a quick entry here to display some more handy work of a well known roofing and eavestrough company here in Toronto. Now I don't want this blog to be focused on just other contractors shoddy work but I have been seeing so much of it lately that I feel compelled to share some of it.

I think some companies forget that they are only as good as their last job.

In the top picture the fasteners that hold the eavestrough on are about 4 feet apart when they should be no more than 2 feet apart.

This same piece of eavestrough was cut a couple of inches too short and instead of making a new piece they inserted a filler piece which doesn't look so nice and may be prone to leak.

This picture shows a mess of caulking that needed to be spread out to cover the extra seams created by the eavestrough being too short.

This homeowner has paid top dollar for her eavestroughs and will have to live with eavestroughs like this for many years to come as like most people cannot afford to do them all over again.

I advise homeowners to educate themselves before going ahead and hiring a contractor. I realize this can be difficult as everyone is always claiming to be the best at what they do. Take some time to do some research on the task at hand and the contractor as well. Ask lots of questions and see how they respond. Do they have the patience or interest to spend some time with you answering your questions? Do they know their product inside out and backwards? Do they seem passionate about their work? I believe that if you do not rush the process and invest some time on your end it will pay dividends. Visit our website at http://www.eavestrough.ca/

Flashing. What is it?

2010-07-05T21:23:00.009-04:00

Flashing is a strip of aluminum that is installed for a couple of different reasons. It is used to bridge the gap between the metal drip edge under the first row shingles and the top of the eavestrough.

The picture shows a large gap of wood fascia that is vulnerable to water damage and leaks behind the eavestrough. Usually the gap is not this big but may be an important consideration to cover none the less. Often the wood is not even painted and may never get painted as most painters do not paint above the eavestrough.

Flashing is also installed to prevent water from running behind your new eavestroughs due to shingles that may be short or curled down. (Curled down shingles can be prevented if the roofing company uses a drip edge which we highly recommend. Do not allow a roofing company to leave the shingles extra long and let them fold down into the eavestrough.) Its surprising how many roofing companies think this is accepatable.

The metal flashing must slide up under the drip edge and extend down over the back of the eavestrough. If the house has aluminum fascia that extends up under the drip edge it may not be necessary to flash over the eavestrough as long as the shingles are not causing a problem.

Its not industry norm to install flashing so its best for the homeowner to request this from the eavestrough contractor to see if it is needed on your home. Its our view at North Shore
Eavestroughing that a educated consumer will help raise our industry standards. Visit www. eavestrough.ca for more information.

All Our Work Is Water Tested

2010-05-04T17:00:00.007-04:00

North Shore Eavestroughing has now incorporated a water test to all our eavestrough work. This simple test is standard to ensure that all corners are leak free when we leave your property. It serves as a double check to our high standard of work. We want to ensure that all your new eavestroughs work as promised. Its a quick test which if it uncovers a small drip can be remedied on the spot before leaving your home. This saves you time by not having to call us if there is a small problem and us time by not returning to do any repairs. Its a win win. Our teams have water stocked in our trailers in the event there is no hose available to use. This is another example of how we aim to create a positive client experience for everyone who comes in contact with our company! Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/ or email us at darren@eavestrough.ca for a free quote!

3 Reasons Why A Roofer Shouldn't Do Your Gutter

2010-05-03T20:54:00.009-04:00

This is quite possibley the worst gutter job I have come across. A roofing company sent a roofer and totally botched it. We completely removed it all and started fresh as there were too many mistakes to fix.

The gutter also had a huge amount of grade to the downspout making it very unsightly.

The person fitting these corners had no idea how to properly do a mitred corner. Too many joints, too many screws and caulking to hide where the corner did not fit properly.

This is prime example of why we tell potential clients not to hire your roofer to do you gutters. Its not easy to do a professional install with out specialized training. This is also the main reason why when you hire a roofing company to do your gutters they subcontract it out because they lack the trained personnel and equipment to do the job right. There is a reason we do not do roofs and for the same reason roofers should not do gutters!

Roofing and eavestroughing are independant of each other. If the roof needs replacing then its best to do the roof work first if possible.

Visit our website www.eavestrough.ca

40 Point Quality Eavestrough Inspection

2010-04-08T11:39:00.005-04:00

We at North Shore are constantly striving to improve the level of service that you receive. You will have a thorough 40 point inspection conducted after every installation. After many years of perfecting our craft and trying to maximize the client experience we have developed a checklist that will make sure that your eavestrough project will be completed in the best way possible. We focus on the details and create systems to ensure that we will exceed your expectations and be a leader in our industry. We feel we are only as good as our last project and want to complete it with a series of checklists that ensure nothing is left to chance. It's just our way of proving that we are going to go the extra mile and pay attention to the details. Visit our website for more information. http://www.eavestrough.ca/

Reduce your liability when hiring a contractor.

2010-04-06T21:51:00.002-04:00

Most people do not realize that when you hire a contractor to work on your home it temporarily turns into a construction site that must follow Ontario law. A homeowner can be considered the general contractor of the project in certian instances which means you must be aware of certian rules and regulations.

Just because a contractor has liability insurance does not mean you should not be concerned with how the work is performed on your home. If a serious accident to occur the fines can easily be 100,000.00 with a portion potentially being on the homeowners shoulders. These fines are not covered by any insurance.

One of the ways North Shore takes extra care to reduce your risk by using fall arrest equipment on all projects over 10 feet high required by law. This keeps our team safe from harm and reduces your liability. Its a win win!

Always ensure that this safety factor will be carried out by your contractor before the work starts. Keep in mind fall protection is not enforced in most roofing and eavestroughing companies. Check out their marketing material and if all their pictures show unprotected workers then the chance of them being safe on your project is slim to none. Remember that you are in charge of who you hire to do the work and insist they work safe on your home. In my opinion any company that leaves safety to chance is probably skimping on other areas too.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Certified Eavestrough Professionals

2010-04-06T21:12:00.004-04:00

We are getting ready for our busy spring season and much goes on behind the scenes to ensure you get the best possible eavestrough project. In order to serve our customers to the highest level we spend many hours of training in our shop. After careful training and review for all our team members you can feel confident in our craftsmanship. The biggest and most important variable in our industry is the quality of the installation. Too many companies do not give formal quality training and it is the homeowner who suffers with a poorly done job. Our operation is fully equipped with training modules and a fully systemized way of doing things. We back up all our installs with a industry leading 10 year workmanship warranty!

Visit our website www.eavestrough.ca

Drip edge. Why it is critical.

2010-03-14T22:26:00.012-04:00

Drip edge is a metal flange that is installed under the first row of shingles. It serves a few different purposes. It provides some support to the shingles so that it does not curl down over the years and cause cracking of the shingles and potential water to run down behind the eavestrough. It also creates overlapping of the wooden fascia that can be prone to rot due to water penetration. Another benefit is it can cover any small gaps between the roof deck and the fascia which will prevent animals from seeing an opening which they will chew at until they are into your attic. Drip edge is also perfect for sealing the start of the ice and water shield to. (Ice and water shield is a water proof membrane that roofing companies install before shingling and helps prevent water leakage in the event of an ice dam.)

From an eavestroughing standpoint drip edge is critical to provide you with a roof that will drain water off the roof and into the eavestrough properly. Roofers that take the short cut of not using a drip will often leave the shingles extra long so that they will sag down into the eavestrough. This will eventually weaken the shingles and hinder proper installation of any new eavestroughs you may be considering after the roof is done.

Fortunately its a simple fix and is very inexpensive. Roofers can buy drip for less than a dollar a foot, is installed quickly and comes in various colors. Unfortunatley it is overlooked most of the time. I recently talked to a home owner who just had 3 roofing quotes and no one mentioned or offered drip edge. It was understandable that he was frustrated that he had to do his own investigating into drip edge to realize the potential benefits.

As seen in the picture below there is no drip edge which causes the shingles to curl down allowing water to drip behind the eavestrough.

This picture below shows the obvious gap between the roof deck and the top of the fascia. If an animal gets in there it will enter straight into the attic.

The drip edge should extend about 3 to 4 inches up under the shingles and down 2 inches maximum down over the fascia. Any more than 2 inches can interfere with eavestrough and leafgaurd installation which may cause you to incur extra costs. One final tip is that the shingles should extend about 1 inch past the drip edge to ensure proper water flow directly into the eavestrough. It is much easier to have drip edge installed in conjuntion with a new roof than trying to install it afterwards. It can be done if the shingles have not become weak and brittle from curling down. If this is the case the shingles may break off when trying trying to install the drip edge so its best just to install it when doing the roof.

This final picture shows a potential problem with the shingles not hanging about 1 inch past the drip edge. The surface tension of the water will cause the water to travel backwards to the fascia / eavestrough. The eavestrough is not always tucked up under the drip edge as shown because the eavestrough slowly lowers down to get proper slope. This can cause leaking behind the eavestrough and may require additional flashing work to make sure the water goes where it is supposed to.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca for more information.

Choosing the best material for eavestroughs.

2010-03-07T13:21:00.002-05:00

Eavestroughs can be made out of a few different materials. The most common materials are aluminum, steel, copper and vinyl. Aluminum is by far the most widely used material in North America because it can be formed into a seamless eavestrough and will not rust. Steel and copper can also be formed into a seamless eavestrough but steel is prone to rust and copper is at a much higher price point. Vinyl eavestroughs cannot be fed through seamless eavestrough machines. Because of this they are usually purchased in 10 foot lengths at hardware stores. Its rare to see a professional using this product and is usually purchased by homeowners attempting to do it themselves. Recently we completely stripped a home of all its vinyl soffit fascia and gutters. You can view a video on some of the pitfalls of choosing vinyl:

Aluminum also has many advantages in that is comes in a wide variety of colors and is compatible with a wide range of leafgaurds which are also made of aluminum. Aluminum gutters come in mainly 2 different thicknesses so its important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

The thickness of .023 gauge is the most common thickness for our region and allows for the widest color selection. We install about 95 percent of our eavestroughs with this thickness. It is the thickness we used in the very top picture which shows us hanging from it. Keep in mind that the leafgaurd we used called T-Rex greatly responsible for making it so durable. This thickness is more than adequate for most residential applications. The .023 gauge can also be made more durable by installing more brackets used to fasten the eavestrough to the home. I see many eavestroughs in the city that look good from the ground but upon looking in from above there were very little fasteners used. The type and number of fasteners is as or more important than the thickness of the aluminum.

The thicker version is .032 gauge and we recommend for homes or businesses that have steel roofs and have problems with snow slides. Often with these roofs, a ton of snow can release at once and plays havoc with the eavestroughs. When the T-Rex leafgaurd system is combined with this thickness it creates a very strong gutter but can be no match for tons of ice/snow sliding of at once. Therefore its very important to have the roofing company install snow stops to prevent the snow from sliding off. Most companies will not warranty damage due to snow slides on steel roofs. The .032 gauge is not as common as the .023 and therefore due to market demand it is available in fewer colors.

If you have any questions or comments to this post or any other please leave a response and I will do my best to respond promptly.

Also I do not mean to confuse you when I alternate between eavestrough and gutter. They mean the same thing. Gutter is probably more common in the U.S. than here in Canada.

Visit our website www.eavestrough.ca

Proper Slope

2010-03-06T21:47:00.004-05:00

Its essential to use a level when installing eavestroughs. Most homeowners are aware that there should not be pooling water in their eavestroughs. This creates overflows and swamp like conditions that mosquito's love to hang out and lay eggs in. No one would want this but unfortunately many homes in Toronto have this situation. Its of epidemic proportions. The good thing is its completely avoidable.

The use of a level when installing your new system will take all the the guess work out of things. It seems that many installers think that they have a good eye for things and can tell when the eavestroughs are sloped in the right direction. Well I see the proof everyday that this is not he case as we get numerous calls from homeowners complaining about how xyz comapany did their eavestroughs and they are full of water. I also see it almost everyday I go out to see homeowners who want a new system.

The have been numerous times we talk to a homeowner who has had a company install their eavestroughs with slope problems. They call them back fix it and they still don't get it right the second time. If they would have used a level this embarrassment for that company wouldn't have even happened!

Not using a level and eye balling the install will create problems because the houses often do not sit perfectly level in the first place. A house could be an inch or two higher on one side than the other and its highly unlikely anyone would ever know just by looking. This can affect a persons frame of reference. It can give the illusion that eavestroughs are sloping in the proper direction.

I think the main reason why levels are not used is because it does slow the install process down significantly by times. With most of the Toronto eavestrough market consisting of subcontractors getting paid piece work this type of attention to detail is to hard on the pocket book and is neglected. We at North Shore Eavestroughing do things differently. All our team members are highly knowledgeable on proper install methods and paid hourly. We take pride in the fact that we do not subcontract any of our work. This is not common in our industry.

What Is Seamless Eavestrough?

2010-03-06T19:56:00.002-05:00

The success of your eavestrough project will depend highly on the tools and equipment the eavestrough contractor has available. The old saying that you are only as good as your tools definitely applies here. In order to install seamless eavestroughs on your home we need to bring a seamless eavestrough forming machine to your home. We set a tightly wrapped roll of aluminum on the machine that may be up to 600 feet long. We feed it in to a series of rollers and out comes a seamless eavestrough. We form a eavestrough that is the entire length of your home and cut it to the appropriate length.

Generally this is done on the street in front of your home as lots of space is needed. Now we could potentially run out a piece 600 feet long but the maximum length of a seamless eavestrough should limited to about 75 feet. Anything beyond this length could develop major problems due to expansion and contraction issues due to hot and cold weather. The benefit to you choosing this system as there will be no unnecessary seams or overlaps that can lead to leaks over the years. In years gone by, contractors would bring predetermined lengths of 10 or 20 feet gutters to you home and patch them together. This was when seamless gutter machines were less common.

The only place that here will have to be an seam or overlap is when there is a corner on the home and the gutter has to change direction. This is unavoidable with today's technology as the seamless machines will only create a gutter in a perfectly straight line. A corner requires a proper hand fitted overlap with a proper sealant that is specifically designed for gutter.
This is the most critical part of the install which must be controlled with specific standards for craftsmanship and a high quality sealant and backed up with a 10 year warranty for your protection.

Most houses being troughed in the GTA are being installed with seamless machines. They have been available for approx 25 years so its not new cutting edge technology. The only thing that has changed is that when machines were first on the scene the size was primarily 4 inch which is obsolete today in favor or the 5 inch machine which is more than adequate for most all residential applications when installed properly.

I want to stress the importance of having the proper equipment to perform the job. However I think that homeowners should be wary of companies that over promote what I consider to be old technology. These machines have been in use for 25 years and some companies promote them like they were unveiled yesterday. My point is that there are so many other critical installation factors like proper slope, the fastening system to secure the eavestrough to the home and size of the downpipes. This is just scratching the surface.

When we come in to do an analysis the old system homeowners are surprised at how much we can effectively improve your rain water management system. It sometimes requires a leap of faith on their part because the only frame of reference they may have is their old, undersized, water pooling, leaf corrupted eavestrough. Lucky for them we have solutions for all of this and have been doing it every day for about 15 years. Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/.

Facelift On Wartime Bungalow

2010-03-06T18:59:00.003-05:00

We were able to give this home a makeover. All the old aluminum was stripped off to reveal the wood that was original to the home. Its important to remove all the old material and get down to a good solid base. It gives the opportunity to inspect the wood and check for rot and make sure the surface is straight as not to compromise the integrity of the new materials to be installed over top. Lucky for the homeowner who does stained glass, a round window in the gable was discovered under the old siding. She now has a new project to complete. Once everything is determined to be solid the new product can be applied.

We had to do a combination of vinyl and aluminum to get the look the homeowner had envisioned. We used aluminum for the soffit, fascia, eavestrough and capping. Vinyl was used for the horizontal siding on the gable and for the vertical siding under the soffits to resemble board and batten.

This project was definitely more labor intensive than most projects that we take on. A project with this detail costs about $7500.00 for the complete bungalow due to the extensive capping work. If you need any work of this nature its best to contact us when we are in our off season. As spring approaches we become very busy with our eavestrough and leafgaurd. However if you are not time sensitive we would be happy to book any of your small siding projects in the winter and early spring. Feel free to contact us for availability. We take the time to do it right. If you need a discriminating contractor who pays attention to the details and quality is more important than a low price we will be a great fit.

Visit our website at http://www.eavestrough.ca/

Why do light colored eavestroughs get streaks?

2010-03-05T21:12:00.002-05:00

Many people ask why eavestroughs tend to get dark lines down the front. It usually becomes noticeable about a year or two after the new eavestroughs are installed. They are most noticeable on white eavestroughs however they also show up on lighter colored eavestroughs as well.

These stains are called tiger stripes and are a result of dirt and pollution that settles out of the air. It settles on the top edge of the eavestrough and when it gets wet droplets form and run down the front carrying the dirt.

This is what causes the staining. It seems that the stripes do start to become less evident as many years go by and the paint slowly fades. Unfortunately there is no special brand of paint or aluminum that will resist tiger stripes.

Thankfully we have a new variation of our main leafgaurd the T-Rex. It works much the same way as our regular leafgaurd but has a small drip edge as part of the system. It will prevent the water from touching the front of the eavestrough allowing it to fall harmlessly to the ground. The result is a streak free seamless eavestrough. Also this 5800 series leafgaurd is even stronger that the regular T-Rex as it is of a thicker gauge aluminum. If interested we will give this product to you at an additional 3.00 per foot as compared to our regular T-Rex leafgaurd. However it is noticeable from the ground so it must be color matched to the color of your eavestrough.

Cleaning of the eavestrough every year or two will keep them looking new and shiney.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

LED Recessed Soffit Lighting/Potlights

2010-03-03T20:27:00.034-05:00

These highly efficient 1.5 watt fixtures mount neatly into your soffit. They really transform the look of your home! It is an exciting opportunity which enables you to add curb appeal, security lighting and light for entertaining.

You can book a live lighting demonstration where you get to try before you buy. We will visit your property and demonstrate how we can add curb appeal to the front, highlight your entrance, and add safety to your steps and walkways.

The picture below shows how a combination of fixtures work depending if you need to flood the walkway as shown and use a tighter beam of light the highlight and wash the brick and house number. Its always good to highlight the front entrance to guide visitors in the right direction and keep the steps safely lit. There is even a fixture that comes in an eliptical pattern for lighting long narrow walkways.

Soffit lighting can add security to any dark areas and light entertaining areas in a stylish way. All this can happen automatically every single night.

10 benefits of our LED system:

1. 100,000 hour life expectancy which will give 20 plus years of use. No light bulbs to change!

2. Available in new warm white to blend with any traditional lighting you may have.(All pictures in this post are of the cool white)

3. Each fixture is only 1.5 watts but powerful and will consume just 50 cents of power over the entire year. We also have 2.5 watt powered fixtures at no extra cost, however our clients find the 1.5 watt to be more than sufficient in most cases!

4. Very little heat is generated so are less likely to attract insects.

5. Completely automated with a timer that automatically adjusts for the change in daylight so you will have to do nothing but enjoy!

6. Feel guilt free with a recessed soffit lighting system that is on all night due to low power consumption.

7. A high quality Canadian product built to last. Many LED products are offshore products of lesser quality.

8. Can be mounted in areas that conventional soffit lights will not work, giving more flexibility.

9. Can be used for up lighting and down lighting and can be used for landscape lighting.

10. Does not require any rewiring of your home and can be installed into existing soffits.

The picture below shows the 1.5 watt flood type fixtures that spread light over a broad area for entertaining.

These fixtures can be mounted to in the yard to highlight trees and shrubs.

If you are handy, can do the installation yourself and would like to see pricing direct from the manufacturer then click the link below.

We provide a full Exterior LED Lighting service when you have us do your eavestrough work, but if you purchase LED product directly, enjoy an extra bonus discount checkout coupon that you can use at the www.delphitech.com online factory outlet: ns123

This short video gives a brief demonstration of how they are mounted into the soffits:

This video is more information on how to light a basic entrance and run wiring in existing soffits:

Below is what the LED recessed fixture looks like during the day (mind you the light will not be on during the day due to the automatic timer). Its small and the best thing about it is the light pivots in its housing so the angle of light in or out from the home can be adjusted to preference.

Below is a actual picture of the LED fixture and housing so it can be installed like a pot light / recessed. It can be ordered in white or black and in the 1.5 or 2.5 watt. Most of our clients really like the warm white however we have done some landscape fixtures using the cool LEDs to really show the true color of what they wanted highlighted.

Below we show the 5 amp power panel that will convert your 120 volt power to 12 volt and allow for safe low voltage wiring.

Below is the Intermatic DT620CL timer. It will allow the system to operate automatically and will adjust each day for the sunrise and sunset times so the lights are always coming on at the right time. It has a battery backup so if the power goes out it will not loose its programming.

A quick clip of an entrance way we completed. The camera did not take the night video as good as I would have liked but it will help give you a visual.

Each light will cost from $200.00 to $300.00 installed if recessed like a pot light depending on the level of difficulty. Visit http://www.eavestrough.ca/ to find out more about our company or email me directly with any questions you may have at darren@eavestrough.ca I would be happy answer them. If you would just like to learn more about the product and possibly install yourself then click the link above(just above the first video) and buy straight from the manufacturer. Make sure to use our bonus code: ns123 for a discount on checkout.

Visit our Google Place page http://g.co/maps/t9xqc

10 KEY POINTS FOR DOWNPIPE PLACEMENT

2010-02-15T11:43:00.004-05:00

There are some critical factors to consider when replacing your eavestrough system. Downpipe locations will determine where the water collected from your eavestroughs will exit and drain onto your property. The picture here shows a down pipe that drains water directly beside the basement. This is a risky situation which can lead to a wet basement. Over the long term it could lead to structural damage.
When considering replacing your existing eavestrough system the location of downpipes is critical. The property must be closely examined to determine the best place to deposit the roof water. Consider these 10 points before proceeding to reduce your chance of having drainage issues:

1. Does the ground slant towards the house or away from the house? A downpipe should never be installed in a area that allows the water to drain back to the house. A simple test is to observe how the water behaves as it exits the downspout. If its not raining out take a garden hose and let it run near the end of the downpipe and make sure the water drains away from the house. If it pools around the home consider a longer extension pipe at the bottom to get the water away from the house.

2. What is the best way to position spouts so not to interfere with walkways or driveways? Downpipes draining on them can become icy in the winter or create trip hazards.

3. What is the square footage of the roof? This will determine if more or less downpipes are needed for optimum function. Simple math can facilitate many downpipe decisions. Using downpipes twice the size of existing may give the flexibility to eliminate a problem downspout.

4. Are there better options than using existing weeping/sewer pipes? These are often problematic due to blockages, collapse or deterioration of clay pipes. There can often be environmental benefits achieved by draining water onto the yard. Many parts of the city require them to be disconnected if possible. Keep in mind that buried drainage pipes that are not below frost line will probably stay frozen for the winter and may create some headaches.

5. Will the location enable you to contain your rainwater on your own property? Neighbors will not appreciate water running out of your downpipe and making its way onto their property.

6. If draining into a flowerbed will the size of the bed be able to handle the water? Care must be taken that the water does not pool near the house and will flow out into the yard away from the home in a heavy rain. Also keep in mind that some back yards in the city can be small and not handle alot of water either.

7. Can any existing structures like fences be used to fasten downpipes to to get the water as far away as possible.

8. Will the downpipes look aesthetically pleasing? We strive to hide downpipes around corners if possible to keep the system looking neat and clean.

9. Can the new eavestroughs be properly sloped in the direction needed? Garages tend to heave up, verandas are not always level. Precise sloping of the eavestrough using a level will determine if these obstacles can be overcome.

10. All these factors should be determined during the estimating process before signing a contract. If the salesperson can not facilitate this process then its risky to hope that the installers who you have not met yet will be of any more help or even interested for that matter.

Based on feedback from past clients many companies who have came to estimate do not even focus on how optimize the system. An improperly placed downpipe is not always easy to fix as it usually requires the repositioning of the eavestrough. Remember to plan then do! Arrange a no obligation consultation at http://www.eavestrough.ca/

Heater Cable Tips

2010-01-21T20:57:00.004-05:00

This is the time of year when we get a lot of calls about frozen downpipes and gutters. This winter there has not been a lot of snow. The major ice dams of the previous 2 years are not happening. Still the bit of snow we have had and the warmer weather has been icing up some eavestroughs and downpipes.

Generally ice is caused from an attic that is not ventilated or insulated properly. The sun hitting the roof tends to increase the problem as well. Especially if the sun warms a part of the roof and the downpipe is around the corner in the shade. Unfortunately water melting of the warm roof will not go down a downpipe if the temperature of the pipe is below zero.

There are a couple of ways to tackle ice problems. Either by reducing the heat loss in the attic or adding a heater cable to melt off the ice that builds up. North Shore always recommends dealing with the root cause of of ice problems which is the attic if possible. However this can get fairly involved on some homes redoing the entire soffits, insulating and adding roof vents. Its not always in the budget or in the homeowners plan for the home. A alternative is heater cables

which can be a cost effective solution.

If the ice builds up on the roof then the roof must be heated along with the gutter and downpipe. If it just a ice filled gutter or downpipe then the cables can be limited to this area. Cables must be installed in a proper ground fault plug that will require the services of a licensed electrician. This is code and required for safety. Proper installation is the key to a good working system.

We rarely see a set that is properly installed. The biggest offences are not heating the downpipes all the way to the bottom, overlapping cables that are no designed to touch, using extension cords because the plug is too far from the heater cable and running the heated portion of the cable through a wall. All this issues can result in a poor working system or a fire hazard. Trust North Shore to do the install in the most professional way. Costs vary depending on the length of the cable and the level of difficulty in reaching the affected area. If you would like more information you can email me at darren@eavestrough.ca or visit our website at http://www.eavestrough.ca/

Maximize attic ventilation

2009-10-25T22:56:00.002-04:00

If you are considering new soffit on your home its important to realize it has a critical role in the way your house functions. Properly vented soffit allows cool air to enter into your attic space reducing or eliminating ice dams in the winter. Also it reduces cooling costs and greatly extends the life of your roof. This house had aluminum soffits which we removed to find a layer of plywood. This plywood must be removed before installing new vented aluminum soffit. The plywood is there from when these houses were built in the 50s and 60s. It no longer serves any purpose with the introduction of new aluminum products. The plywood is not of structural importance and is ok to remove. It does create some labor costs to remove it but the benefits are great over the long term. We then inspect to make sure the fresh air can make it into the attic unobstructed. We can easily install rafter chutes to the underside of the roof deck now that the plywood is out of the way. These chutes control the airflow into your attic and prevent any loose fill insulation from falling out onto the new vented aluminum soffits. You can check out a short video that will help explain things.

Check out our website www.eavestrough.ca for more information.

See whats lurking under old screen leafgaurd.

2009-10-25T22:19:00.004-04:00

The picture here shows what we have found under old mesh style leafgaurd.

This product is hinged and we have opened it up for you to see the debris that accumulates under it. This leafgaurd is of some benefit for the first few years but due to the size of the of the holes being to large, debris finds its way into the eavestrough. This will plug the the downpipes causing a major overflow. This product was very popular about 8 to 10 years ago when there was not much alternative. Now there are similar priced products on the market that perform better and add integrity to the eavestrough. This screen is still being installed on some homes in the GTA. We advise homeowners to avoid this product if they are looking for long-term performance. Investing just a bit more money will get you into a leafgaurd product that works much better.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Leafgaurd. Friend or foe?

2009-09-27T14:52:00.018-04:00

Do these eavestroughs look like yours? If so you might want to consider a leafgaurd product.
There is so much conflicting information when researching on the web or talking to people that have leafgaurd. When on the web its hard to find a clear answer as every company says that theirs is the best and all others don't work. Some homeowners report that their leafgaurd is more hassle then anticipated as the gutters still have to be cleaned. Many saying that debris and leaves get trapped under the leafgaurd making the cleaning process even more labor intensive.

So how do you decide if leafgaurd is worth the investment. I will try to give some clarification based on my years of experience in the Toronto gutter business. In my opinion they all work to some degree and are essential if you are in a treed area. There is a huge difference in price for different products and that may be the biggest driver in which one you choose. I will touch on the main products found in the Toronto marketplace starting with the lowest price and give a brief summary.
Lets start with the most basic product. A product that most homeowners tend to complain about. Its basically is a wire mesh or screen that is fastened over your eavestrough and tucked up under the shingles.
It comes in 3 foot lenghts and can be found at most hardware stores. It is made of a aluminum wire mesh. The gaps between the mesh is fairly large and lets tons of water through but also allows some debris to get into the gutter. This debris could be pine needles or maple keys for example. After a period of time this will cause the downspouts to clog resulting in overflows. Now there needs to be a cleaning done and this most likely mean removing most or all the leafgaurd due to the large amount of material in the gutter. This is why some versions of this product have hinges its easier to clean under them. There is not much structure to this product so we often find them fallen down into the eavestrough or a few pieces gone with the wind. We used to use this product about 10 years ago when there was not much of choice on the market. This screen product is probably better than nothing even with its required maintenance but I believe there are far better products on the market. Companies here in Toronto are still using them and as far as I can tell are charging about 3 or 4 dollars per foot installed. As far as I am concerned its a product that should be used on more of a do it yourself basis rather than a professional install.

Alu-Rex leafgaurd. It is a Canadian product that has been on the market for approximately 10 years. It is marketed as T-Rex.
It is a flat sheet of aluminum that with small round holes punched through it. When installed with a new eavestrough it increases the strength by 50% and is invisible from the ground. This product is very secure and can not be budged by animals, wind, snow or heavy ladders. Its holes have been designed to let the heaviest of rainfalls in and keep debris out. When seeing the T-Rex for the first time most people thing the holes are to small and the water will not enter. The best way to visualize how much this leafgaurd can drain is to take 3 feet of the product and combine the area of the holes. It is equal to a 2 by 3 downspout. This would be like installing a downspout every 3 feet on you home. This of course would be overkill but gives a idea of how much this product can drain. This product has a flat top and when leaves fall on it they can dry up and blow off in the wind. Its limitation is that if you have a full canopy of trees and are sheltered from the wind a annual cleaning may still be in order. However the clean up will be faster and easier as a sweep of the top is all that is required. Under the leafgaurd will always be free flowing and the downpipes clear. Special attention has to be given if there are pine needles as a few will make it into the eavestrough. Little trap doors should be installed over all downpipes in case a few make it in and do not go out the downpipe. We have installed this product on about 90% of the homes we put new eavestrough on. It actually gets installed into the eavestrough before its installed onto the home. It creates a solid box and that's where the strength comes from. Because of the ease of installation and simplistic design we offer this at a very affordable price of about 3.50 per foot when installed with new eavestroughs. If installing over existing then the price starts around 6.00 per foot including cleaning. This leafgaurd is probably the best bang for the buck on the market. This product will reduce your maintenance if heavily treed or eliminate it on a lightly treed area. This product is by far the most popular product for eavestrough professionals.

The next type I would like to touch on is the sponge type product which we installed for a client in a heavily treed area with a huge canopy of trees.

He had purchased the product ahead of time from the manufacturer and had us install it. It installed easily as it just needed to be stuffed into the eavestrough and friction fits. Very easy to install. It seemed to work fine but is not my preferred product for a few reasons. It does not add any strength to the gutter as it has no rigidity nor is it fastened solidly in place. It takes space in the gutter which could slow down the flow of the water in heavy rain. The leaves will be held up out of the gutter and have a chance to blow off with the wind but may have to be cleaned off if in a sheltered area. This product is being installed on Toronto homes for about 7 or 8 dollars per foot. This seems to me a bit pricey for the benefits received when other products cost less and give more value.
(The picture of the sponge above is from a seperate project for a homeowner who wanted to replace the old gutter and sponge with the new T-Rex system as the gutters were getting old and small in size)

Another product has a fine layer of stainless steel mesh over an aluminum frame.

It is designed to go up under the first row of shingles and fasten down on top of the gutter. The fine mesh or fabric will keep everything out of the gutter including shingle granules. This product must be installed on an angle to help debris slide off the screen. I am confident that it will handle the high volume of water as it has an excellent track record and we have tested it against other leafgaurds to find that it drains water quicker then most. It runs about 12 to 16 dollars per foot and adds up when you have 200 to 300 feet of gutter on most homes in Toronto. Check out our you tube channel to see us testing it out.

The other brand on the market is the hooded leafgaurd which is basically a panel of aluminum that slides up under the shingles and fastens down over the gutter.

It has a nose over the front of the eavestrough and the water has to slip around this by means of surface tension. This product works very well in most cases. Some brands require a bit of maintenance as as the water goes around the nose some debris will try to go into the eavestrough. This is where the homeowner has to take a hose or brush on a pole and dislodge the debris. This really only happens on homes that are located in a very heavily treed area. This could be challenging if your home is 2 storeys or more. One little thing with these products is that wasps seem to like building nests in the cavity so this can be a slight maintenance issue. These styles are visible from the ground. Price holds most people back from purchasing as they cost about 16 to 20 dollars per foot.

In my opinion if you have trees you need some sort of leafgaurd or you will be constantly getting plugged pipes and overflows as trees drop enough debris year round to cause problems. To my knowledge all leafgaurds require a bit of maintenance in extreme conditions but its still much less work then keeping an unprotected gutter free flowing. Keep in mind that if you have leaves and debris sitting on your roof and valleys then it will also sit on your leafgaurd. There is no miracle product. I you decide to cover your existing eavestroughs then make sure they are in good condition and if they are 15 years old or more then probably they should be replaced as they generally last about 20 years. With the high cost of some of these systems some sales people may be reluctant to recommend new eavestroughs to the final bill. I recently talked to the owner of a small bungalow here in the city who had all her 15 year old eavestrough covered with a 5500 dollar hooded leafgaurd. Most likely in a few years when all her corners start leaking the leafgaurd will all have to be removed and then reinstalled. She was proud to show me her leafgaurd and pointed out an area in the backyard under a huge spruce tree. To me it was obvious the leafgaurd had failed and was overflowing there. She proceeded to tell me that according to manufacturers instructions she was to hose out the front nose to keep it functioning properly.

I am a big fan of leafgaurd as it will reduce your maintenance. Its important to know your options as there are lots of choices with leafgaurd. If a product has some grand claims them be sure to read the fine print in the warranty information to see exactly what is covered and what you will required to do in terms of maintenance.

Check out our video of us testing out some of the more common leafgaurds. After this video was taken the tree dropped its leaves entirely and all the leaves blew off each the brand equally well.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca

Fall protection is law. Reduce your liability.

2009-08-16T19:23:00.002-04:00

When hiring any contractor who will be working at heights on your home you must ensure they will wear fall protection. The ministry of labour says that any person working over 10 feet must use a full body harness and safety lines to prevent a fall.
When I explain to a homeowner the importance of using fall protection their first reaction is that they do not have to worry about it. Many people think that as long as the company they hire has insurance and workers compensation its not their problem if something goes wrong. While these are important things to have, they do not cover ministry of labour fines which can easily reach 100,000 dollars. There have been portions of this fine given to the homeowner especially if they are hiring multiple contractors to work on their home. They may be considered to be their own general contractor and will be responsible for conducting a safe work site. These fines are not covered by insurance. The same as you can not buy insurance for getting speeding tickets on the highway.

Too many companies talk and advertise safety but do not follow through on the enforcement.
To mention that their installers are fully trained in fall protection means nothing if they do not take the equipment onto the roof and actually use it all the time. When deciding on a contractor make sure they will follow the law and get this clear before the job starts. If they give you any resistance then its best to keep looking. I realize that most companies in the city do not tie off but the more homeowners that are educated and aware of the risks will put pressure on unsafe companies. Unfortunately there are not enough inspectors to oversee all the construction in the city. We have been doing eavestroughs for years and have yet to see a safety inspector come and check things out. You just have to drive around and see lots of companies working at heights without protection. You are more likely to see unsafe work taking place which is doing the homeowner no favors if a fall was to occur.
We at North Shore Eavestroughing fully train our staff and enforce fall protection for the betterment of the installers, the homeowner and the company. We believe that no eavestrough job is worth anyone getting injured or worse. It does require a bit more time and equipment to complete a project using fall protection. However the more companies that decide to work safe will put us all on a level playing field at least in regards to safety. North Shore works hard to follow the law and challenge all our competitors to do the same. Education, awareness and enforcement will prevent needless injuries and deaths that occur every year in our province.

Visit our website at www.eavestrough.ca for more information.

Cash Deals. Deal or no Deal?

2009-07-26T19:26:00.005-04:00

Whenever possible I try to get feedback from our clients. An area of concern for me is regarding the estimate gathering process. Its great to get at least 3 quotes on a eavestroughing project. Recently a lady told me that she had obtained 3 quotes and had some questions for me regarding the project. I gladly welcome discussion at any time but when I asked specific questions about the other quotes she could not tell me because no one had given her a written quote. She had a very hard time remembering all the visits and advice she had received. One price was given verbally saying they would only give a written one if she decided to proceed. The other contractor mentioned a cash deal. The estimating process turned out to be confusing and frustrating for her due to lack of paperwork.

Obviously a cash deal is at a discount by means of not having HST added to the total. Often more than just a 13% savings is realized due to the contractor not having to pay tax on this money if they choose not to claim it. As far as I know its not illegal to pay someone cash but lets take a look at the risk to reward ratio for a job with no paperwork.

BENEFITS:
1. Homeowner gets job done at discounted price.

RISKS:
1. The scope of work is not detailed regarding critical materials information regarding fastening system, pipe size and type of leafgaurd if applicable. You could be comparing apples to oranges without this.

2. What about warranty. How many years? How about a tail light warranty.
When they are gone you may be on your own. This applies for the workmanship
and also how might you expect to receive any product warranty when you
can't prove to the manufacturer when the project was done and by who.

3. This contractor may be evading taxes which is not your problem but it could be a indicator that they are evading other important things like proper liability insurance and workers compensation insurance. Liability protects you if say a ladder were to fall and crush the roof of your car or the neighbors! Workers compensation protects you from a lawsuit if there is an injury to one of the workers. Always insist on seeing the up to date paper work.

4. Some companies will ask for a deposit to secure the work. 10 per cent is enough and make sure this is not paid in the form of cash and that you trust the contractor. A cheque or other form is best to keep record of the transaction.

5. If something goes badly and the project ends up in court its a he said she said kinda thing that the judge has to try to sort out. Who knows how things might turn out. Crooked contractors often assume that most homeowners will not go through the trouble and cost of going to small claims.
If for some reason that I can not even think up you decide to give a deposit on a cash deal you have no recourse if they suddenly go on the missing list. Over the years I have personally heard stories of this from homeowners.

In some peoples eyes its just a small job. This could apply to the whole project or just a downspout repair. The truth is that there is an element of risk every single time someone goes up on your roof whether its for a day project or just an hour fix up. It may be tempting to pay cash to someone who is possibly uninsured or has no workers comp. If the unfortunate happens you could be held accountable for damages or injuries. Check out the ministry of labor website and there are many examples of injury or death happening on the job site every year in this province. The potential cash savings seems to become less significant the farther we dig into this.

Every time I get asked if I will give a discount in exchange for cash I always give a polite no. Its discouraging to know that I do lose projects occasionally to people working under the table. Working under the table can reduce a companies overhead but pass along a great disservice to the client. I do not like to lose jobs like most contractors but the satisfaction of taking the high road outweighs the occasional lost job. Clients best interest has to come first and it will all work out in the end.

Hopefully this might help you see the forest through the trees when hiring any contractor. From a person who is in the trenches everyday running a eavestroughing company, a cash deal is not in any homeowners best interest.

A great website that digs farther into this subject is http://www.hiringacontractor.com

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