Hansons Windows, Roofing, Gutters

Dear Brian,

You’ve got a good bunch of folks working for you. Nicole C.  did a wonderful job as project manager! Of course the products speak for themselves but I’ve just got to say how impressed I was with the installers and installation. Both the roofing team and window guys were awesome. They were prompt, NEAT and very professional. I can’t remember all of their names but they did a great job taking care not to damage my vegetable garden. The work performed was perfect. It was worth the 3 hour sales pitch – even though my wife’s eyes were somewhat glazed over! At any rate, we will continue to look to Hansons for our window treatment (s) sometime next year. Please distribute this email and my sincere appreciation to all for a job well done. I am also very pleased that I will not have to climb on my new roof this fall, thanks to the Hansons Gutter Guards we purchased as well!

Thanks,

Reed S. – Novi, Michigan

For more information on Hansons services, go to www.hansons.com

 

 

 

 

Tax Credits Available For Home Improvement Energy-Efficient Products

By KAREN WORKMAN of the Oakland Press

A new federal tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements could put an extra $1,500 in homeowners’ pockets come tax time next year, but buyers should beware — not every green gadget under the sun qualifies.

How does it work?
The new tax credit is actually an expansion of tax credits first enacted by former President George W. Bush. The old rules allowed taxpayers to receive 10 percent of the price of certain energy-efficient products, up to a lifetime maximum of $500. President Barack Obama expanded the credit with the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Now, consumers can get 30 percent of the price of certain energy-efficient items back at tax time, up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500.

Another change is that for big ticket items, such as wind turbines and solar water heaters, the $1,500 cap does not apply, and people can instead get back 30 percent of the total cost — materials and installation — through 2016. Credits for smaller-ticket items, such as windows, doors and roofs, can be claimed during both 2009 and 2010, and only 30 percent of the cost of materials — not installation — can be claimed.

What qualifies?
Federal guidelines list 15 energy-efficient household items that qualify for the credit. Insulation, windows, doors, roofs and central air conditioners are among the items on the list, but each product has to meet specific guidelines in order to count.

“We offer energy-efficient roofing that you can get a tax credit on, as well as blown insulation,” said Brian Elias of 1-800-Hansons, an Oakland County-based window company that also offers roofing and other home improvement services. “The guidelines for roofing are very stringent.” The law states that eligible roofs are either metal or made of reflective asphalt shingles, which are made of lighter colors. To be even more specific, it also states that roofs qualify “only if such roof has appropriate pigmented coatings or cooling granules.”

As of June 1, the specifications for windows and doors that qualify also became much tougher to meet.

Windows and Doors
Under the old guidelines, a greater variety of doors and windows met the standard for the tax credit.Consumers needed a manufacturer’s certification letter or Energy Star label that showed it met the criteria. A safe harbor provision allowed the more lax guidelines to stay in place through June 1. That was when the criteria became more specific and much tougher to meet. In order for a door or window to qualify, both the U factor and the solar heat gain coefficient must be 0.30 or less. The U factor measures the rate of heat transfer, and the solar heat gain coefficient tells how well the product blocks heat caused by sunlight. The lower each number is, the better the product performs.

Though recent TV commercials have shown several companies advertising all their windows as qualifying for the tax credit, those statements likely will change as the rules change. Less-efficient windows that don’t qualify will continue to be offered through 1-800-Hansons. The company carries two lines of windows — I-Q Glass and the Ultimate Package — that qualify for the credit.“You have to buy energy-efficient windows, and the problem in our industry is everybody says windows are energy efficient, but the government didn’t qualify certain windows for a reason,” Elias said. “The problem for the consumer is they all look alike.” The bottom line for the consumer? Know what makes a product qualify and be sure that’s what is being purchased.

For more information on the tax credits available go to www.hansons.com/Tax-Credit.htm

Hansons Windows, Siding, Roofing, and Gutters Customer Feedback

Dear Brian and the Hansons Team,

Thank you for the wonderful job your company did on the siding, roof, gutters, and windows on our house and garage. What a wonderful transformation! The installers did a great job, as did our project manager, Liz H. who kept us very well informed along the way. We are very pleased to have worked with Hanson’s and will keep your company in mind should we need any future work done.

Thanks again,
Heather R. – West Bloomfield

For more information on how Hansons can help you with your home improvement projects go to www.hansons.com

Get Rewarded for Improving Your Home!

You could be eligible for up to $1,500 in tax credits, if you purchase energy efficient windows, roofing, doors or insulation from Hansons in 2009.  Reduce your energy bills while saving on your new home improvements.

Hansons products that qualify for the tax credit include eligible: windows, roofing, doors and insulation.

Head over to the Hansons website for more information.

Gutter Maintenance Tips

This is the last I’ll talk about gutters until next spring, I swear.  Just wanted to leave a few gutter maintenance tips for all of those who have yet to clean their gutters.  I am so glad that I am done with that task, especially with the snow we’re supposed to get this weekend!  This should help you get through it quickly and as pain free as possible.

1. Regular Inspection and Maintenance of Gutters
Preventative maintenance will put a stop to most serious problems. Leaves and other debris should be removed with a broom. If you are on a ladder inspecting your gutters be sure that the ladder is secure; that you have a bucket and small shovel to scoop large debris from your gutters; a garden hose to wash away other small items; and a plumber’s snake in case of a blockage. There should always be someone there to assist you when doing gutter maintenance. There have been many avoidable accidents due to over-reaching or unstable ladders.

2. Install Gutter Guards
Wire or plastic strainers, which are very inexpensive, fit into the openings of downspouts and can catch leaves before they clog the pipe. There is also aluminum and vinyl gutter guards that can be installed professionally which can virtually prevent your gutters from clogging. Look into your options and consider the time you take cleaning your gutters and the dangers of gutter maintenance.

3. Seal Any Leaks
Pay close attention to areas that connect to one another for leaks; these can usually be sealed with silicone caulking compound. In case of large leaks there are patch kits available but replacement of the damaged piece can sometimes be easier than repairing it.

4. Check and Secure Gutter Components
Elbows, outlets, downspouts, gutter straps and hangers, including gutter spikes, should be inspected on a routine basis. Make sure that these items are secured, nailed and sealed properly, if not you should do this upon inspection.

5. Pitching
For proper drainage the gutters should be pitched about one-sixteenth of an inch per running foot. This can be checked easily by pouring water into one end and watching the water flow out of the other end. Using hot dipped galvanized or aluminum nails the gutter hanger can be adjusted if the water puddles in spots.

6. Splash Blocks
Downspouts should flow directly into a drainage system to prevent any flooding problems. If the rainwater overflows the area and is not directed properly it may cause leaks in the foundation of your home. Purchasing a splash block can help prevent this from happening, they are available in concrete or fiberglass.

http://www.hansons.com/gutters.htm

Importance of Gutters

Seems like lately I have been on a quest for knowledge, not that I necessarily find this one of my favorite topics but it’s part of my routine home maintenance.  I checked into the importance of gutters on my home, this left me with a lot more information to share with you.

Why Gutters Are Important
While most people pay little attention to their gutters, myself included, they demand high quality and preventative maintenance. The function of gutters is very important to the exterior maintenance of your home. Here are some benefits to having gutters on your home:

• They guide the rainwater off of your roof and away from your home.
• Keep the water from settling around that foundation of your home.
• Prevents damage to your roof, soffits, fascia and exterior paint.
• Prohibits water from entering into your interior walls and basement.

What Can Occur Without Gutters

Damage will occur once water has penetrated the foundation of your home, this can become a major problem and can be quite costly. This type of damage happens when there are no gutters on the home, damaged gutters, or the downspouts are damaged or placed in a bad location. Water damage to your foundation can result in the growth of mold which is not only hard to get rid of, it also can cause serious health problems for you and your family. Sometimes mold is not detected until a health condition has already developed.

 

Types Of Gutters

Installing a durable gutter guard system is essential to protect the exterior of your home. There are many options that I found when looking into a gutter system. Here are four basic types of gutters:

• Aluminum
• Galvanized Steel
• Vinyl
• Wood

Wood gutters are hard to find and will rot out after being exposed to water frequently, they also require a great deal of maintenance. Galvanized steel gutters are the cheapest to install but they require much more maintenance than the other gutters. Both vinyl and aluminum gutters are incredibly durable and will maintain a high resistance to corrosion.

 

Troubleshooting

If you have recently installed new gutters in your home and you still are seeing some damage to the foundation, landscaping/flower beds, or basement, then you should inspect the gutters and downspouts looking for any damage or leaks. If the caulking needs to be replaced you should use a wire brush to remove the old caulk. Then apply a new caulk to all necessary pieces; a silicone caulk works well.

hansons.com/gutters

Is Gutter Protection Necessary?

Of course the weekend I picked to clean my gutters was extremely cold and unpleasant.  So much so, that once I was done with my gutters this weekend I began looking into if having gutters on my home was really that necessary.  So before you decide to just get rid of the gutter cleaning task by removing your gutters, read some of the interesting facts below.  I think I might just break down and get a gutter guard system, it would be so nice to not worry about my gutters!

Warning Signs

Once your gutters are filled with large amounts of rain/snow soaked debris they can weigh down your homes gutters.  If this happens it is likely to loosen the mountings and brackets and eventually pull the gutters away from your home.  All of this debris will clog downspouts and eventually decay into a damp sludge.  As this sits unnoticed inside your gutters and downspouts it creates an environment where mosquitoes, termites and vegetation can flourish. 

 

Benefits of Gutter Protection

Gutter protection is essential to keeping your home safe from foundation damage, roof damage and landscape erosion.  Installing gutter guards is a safe, effective way of protecting your home.  Be sure your gutter system is of high quality and installed professionally, this will prevent water and foundation damage in the future.  Gutters are essential to avoid expensive damage caused by moisture related problems when it rains.

Here are just a few benefits to having a gutter protection system installed.  They will help to prevent:

v     Rotting out of Fascia Boards

v     Growth of Mold (Interior and Exterior)

v     Leaky Roofs

v     Siding Damage

v     Foundation Damage

v     Water In Your Basement

Gutter guard protection is the safe alternative to climbing a ladder and cleaning your gutters out year after year.  As I said before, safety comes first. If you do not feel comfortable on a ladder cleaning your gutters, please hire a professional.

 

 www.hansons.com/gutters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Clean Your Gutters

It’s that time of year again, time to clean my gutters.  So, I went online and checked out as much information as I could about how to keep my gutters clear of debris and prevent them from clogging. 

First and foremost, always think safety!  If you do not feel comfortable climbing up a ladder please do not attempt to clean your gutters.  There are so many companies out there who will come out and clean your gutters, you just have to shop around for a decent price.  However, if you are handy around the house please be sure to use a sturdy ladder and a good pair of shoes.  Make sure that the ladder is in good condition and on sturdy ground before you begin your work.  If at all possible, have someone there to help you (empty debris-filled bucket, secure the ladder and hand you items that you may need).  Your shoes should have some kind of traction on the bottom of them so you do not slip off of the ladder, they will also help you balance yourself better.  Always follow the safety guidelines on your ladder, do not go above the specified height.

When should I clean my gutters?  There is no right or wrong time to clean you gutters.  You may have to clean your gutters more frequently depending on where you live and if there are a lot of trees around your home.  However, I would suggest that you clean your gutters at least twice a year to prevent any damage to your home.  Once in the late fall (after the leaves have begun to fall) and once in the spring (after the snow has melted away) are good times to plan your cleaning project.  Try to plan this type of work on a clear day with no rain and little if any wind.   

Getting Started-  It might help to make a list of things you will need so you’re not constantly going up & down a ladder without much progress.  Here are some of the items that I found were useful: a little shovel or rake (to clear the leaves from the gutters), hand-held leaf blower or small rake (to rid roof of excess amounts of leaves), a bucket (to collect debris and prevent another mess to clean up), a pair of gloves, a sturdy ladder, a garden hose (to clear the gutters of small debris) and a toilet brush (to scrub gutters, if needed).  In case of clogs in the downspouts you may need a small plumber’s snake.  Gently rake or shovel out the debris from your gutters, then take a hose and rinse out any small debris.  Do not push too hard when doing this or you will damage your gutters.  Try using a small leaf blower or rake to clear roof and gutters from larger debris.  Never overextend to while cleaning your gutters, this could throw off your balance and make the ladder unsteady.  When coming down the ladder be careful, then move it 2-3 feet and repeat process until complete.

Preventative Measures-  Landscape maintenance may be necessary if you have several larger trees that hang over your roof.  You can either keep them trimmed by eliminating large branches that extend over your roof or install a gutter system that will prevent your gutters from clogging with leaves, twigs and large debris.

hansons.com/gutters