How to spot and fix gutter problems

Local residential-friendly Dumpster specialist says check for these 10 signs that your gutters may be falling down on the job

Clogged, damaged, or missing gutters are not only unsightly, they can contribute to costly water damage to the interior and exterior of a home. While many property owners take steps in late fall to remove leaves and unclog gutters in preparation for winter storms, proactive maintenance throughout the year can help prevent or minimize problems, but only if you know what to look for.

Local entrepreneurs Martin and Ann Wierengo, owners of Bin There Dump That of Fort Myers, a residential-sized dumpster specialist, suggest homeowners check for the following ten signs that their gutters need attention, and offers tips on some simple do-ityourself repairs: ∫ CHECK for small cracks and holes along the length of your gutters. REPAIR using sealant or pieces of fascia screwed over the damaged area. ∫ CHECK for broken, loose, or missing fasteners. REPAIR with aluminum fasteners or even zip ties to create a sturdy connection to the roof and between gutter sections. ∫ CHECK for nails on the ground under gutters. REPAIR using standard screws to keep gutters in place. ∫ CHECK for separation between gutter sections. REPAIR with a new section of gutter cut to fit the gap and fastened to both pieces of the existing gutter sections. ∫ CHECK for separation between the inside face of your gutters and your home. REPAIR using screws to reattach the separated pieces to your home. ∫ CHECK for deformed or sagging sections where water can pool and spill over. REPAIR by bending section back into shape or replacing with a new gutter section. ∫ CHECK for peeling paint on your gutters, a sign that water is leaking over the edges. REPAIR by stripping old paint with a scraper then priming and repainting the gutters. ∫ CHECK for water pooling under gutters and determine cause – leaves and debris blocking the gutter, holes and cracks, or water pooling in low spots on the gutter itself. REPAIR, if the gutter is clear and not damaged, by sloping the entire gutter to run to the downspout. ∫ CHECK for damage to flower beds and foundation plantings. REPAIR by installing a gutter diverter to redirect water. ∫ CHECK for evidence of water damage to the basement. If your gutter is in good repair, consider redirecting the gutter spouts away from the floodprone area. Significant flooding may require professional gutter repair or replacement. ∫ "Cleaning out your garage or basement should be a chore you choose to take on, not something you are forced to do because damaged or missing gutters allowed those spaces to flood, " said Martin and Ann Wierengo. "A little time and money spent now on preventive maintenance may help prevent costly and inconvenient repairs later. "

Bin There Dump That specializes in residential-friendly, dumpsters with double-door access that are designed for jobs ranging from simple yard clean-up chores to full remodeling construction projects. For more detailed tips on gutter maintenance and repair, visit https://www.bintheredumpthatusa.com/article/gutter-repair. To learn more about renting a dumpster, or to discuss a project with a Bin There Dump That Dumpster Consultant, please contact Bin There Dump That of Fort Myers at (239) 707-4919 or f o r t m y e r s @ b i n t h e r e dumpthat.com

About Bin There

Dump That

Bin There Dump That is North America's leading residential friendly dumpster company, founded in 2002 by Mark Crossett. Mark teamed up with That Franchise Group in 2004 to begin franchising in North America. The franchise has since grown to over 200 territories across the United States and Canada. Known for its appealing bright green bins and residential friendly service, it is unrivaled in the industry. For more information about Bin There Dump That and our business opportunities, please visit www.bintheredumpthatfranchise.com or call 905-5821234.

Help save the planet From page 12

work, there are some important composting do’s and don’ts to consider. Be sure to read up on best practices before you get started so that you only toss compostable items into the mix, and so you strike the right balance between nitrogen and carbon. This will speed up the process and yield higher-quality compost. 3. Go low maintenance: According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans consume nearly 3 trillion gallons of water, 200 million gallons of gas, and 70 million pounds of pesticides on their lawns each year. You can reduce your contribution to the problem by swapping out your conventional lawn for a meadow (which is comprised of native plants already adapted to thrive in your region), xeriscaping (a drought-resistant option requiring no mowing and little to no irrigation) or by simply letting your grass grow wild and free. Talk to your neighbors about your decision and encourage them to do the same.

By making your little patch of land a safe haven for animals and by conserving natural resources, you can help make a difference at home this fall.

Can I recycle this?

Prevent wishcycling by knowing what is and isn't recyclable

(BPT) - You make recycling possible. Without consumer participation, recycling programs can't function. If you already recycle, you're playing a critical role in reducing waste in your area. But to truly make sure valuable materials like cartons, plastic and other materials that can be reused in other products - are kept out of landfills, it is important to prevent wishcycling.

Wishful recycling (or wishcycling) is tossing something in your recycling bin hoping it's recyclable, which can cause more harm than good. While many programs have recycling equipment to sort items, some non-recyclable materials can cause the machines to jam or break, causing delays and contaminating the recyclable items.

To prevent wishcycling and help your local recycling program operate efficiently, you'll need to know what materials can be recycled and how to prepare them before tossing them in the bin.

Know what is and is not recyclable

The first thing you should do to determine if an item is recyclable is to check the packaging. If you find a recycling icon on the package, it often means you're holding a widely recyclable item. However, that doesn't mean that you can simply throw the item into your recycling bin.

What is and is not recyclable can change over time and based on location. Whether you've lived in the same neighborhood your whole life or have just moved to a new city, it is recommended that you check with your local recycling program from time to time to see what items are accepted in your area. Some programs may even provide a handy guide you can reference if you have any doubts about how to recycle certain items. One recyclable material that still confuses many people is food and beverage cartons, like those made by Tetra Pak. From milk and juice to broth, soups and more, you likely have more than a few items in your kitchen that come in cartons. Because of how common they are, it's essential to learn how to recycle cartons so they don't end up in a landfill.

You likely have carton recycling in your area. Today, most U.S. households have access to carton recycling. In fact, access to residential recycling programs has increased by 240% since 2009, when the Carton Council was formed. This industry organization was created to increase carton recycling access and rates

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The good, the bad and the ugly ways people are banishing bugs at home

(StatePoint) If you hate the idea of bugs in your home, you’re in fine company -- 1 in 3 Americans have seriously considered burning down their own home after experiencing a bug infestation, according to a new survey.

The study, commissioned by Zevo and conducted by OnePoll, found that 66% of respondents are willing to do “nearly anything” to get rid of bugs at home -- including fumigating their entire home (51%), throwing the nearest thing at it, no matter what that nearest thing is (43%) and even, jokingly, DIYing a flamethrower (35%). Others have changed their diet and lifestyle to avoid sightings at home, with 59% saying they will even refrain from keeping fresh fruit in their homes or buying houseplants out of fear that it will attract flying insects.

In fact, some people would rather just leave it all behind and start over somewhere new. More than half of respondents (52%) have considered moving because of bug infestations, and of those who considered that option, 69% actually followed through and packed up their things.

When it comes to putting up with bugs, there are a number of home woes people would prefer to live with, including broken appliances (29%), creaky floors (26%), broken windows (26%), not having television connections (25%) and even rodents (24%).

Giving how bugged by insects people are, it’s no wonder that they have come up with some pretty creative and expensive ways to try to deal with the problem, with 48% of survey respondents having turned to DIY “hacks” and the average person spending $177 on creating homemade methods to deal with bugs. Some of the methods mentioned by respondents include using cinnamon, coffee grounds and even maple syrup to get rid of bugs. One person even recalled pouring gasoline on bugs to drown them — a big don’t-do.

Of course, many of these homemade solutions produce iffy results at best or are downright dangerous. The bug biology and behavior experts at Zevo say that if you want to rid your home of pests, there are much easier and more effective ways to go about it that don’t involve putting your home on the market and relocating. Here’s an effective two-pronged approach you can try for killing bugs and preventing future infestations: 1. Go worry-free. Most traditional insect sprays on the market today use synthetic pyrethroids as their active ingredients, which can have a noxious smell and make a room uninhabitable after spraying. For a solution that’s safe for people and pets when used as directed, check out products like Zevo Instant Action Sprays, which rely on essential oil to target and shut down biological pathways found in insects. These types of products can target everything from cockroaches and ants to yellowjackets and crickets. 2. Safeguard entry points. Pests enter the home most typically through windows, doors and the garage. Check screen doors and windows for tears, and patch or replace them. You can also plug insect traps into outlets in areas where bugs typically gather in your home, like kitchens, bathrooms, garages and entryways. These types of traps use a combination of UVC and blue light to attract and trap flying insects, offering continuous defense for up to 45 days or until the trap is full.

To learn more about defending your home against insects, visit zevoinsect.com.