Why do some homes have gutters and others not? What do gutters do? Are there different types of gutters? Read on to determine if they're beneficial for your home.

Rain Gutters are long, narrow tubes used to reroute rain that falls on the roof of a home or building. The gutters funnel the water to the downspout on the ground where it's directed away from the foundation of the home. This keeps the ground immediately around the house from becoming waterlogged and potentially leaking into the basement or causing damage to the structure as well as surrounding landscaping.

Without gutters, rain runs down the roofline creating a waterfall effect. If the roof has a wide overhang, this may not be too much of a problem for the foundation. But entering and leaving the home without getting wet can be more difficult especially during heavy rains, or seasonal thawing and freezing cycles.

The Cons About Gutters
Because gutters are usually left open, they collect more than rainwater. Leaves, yard debris and insects get into gutters as well. Debris hinders water flow, causing water to back up in the gutter and to overflow. Gutter screens can be added to prevent debris from accumulating. Gutters may also become damaged. Ice, tree limbs, animals, and even heavy rains may dent gutters, weigh them down so they sag, or cause them to pull away from the house. Ice can be particularly destructive in our geographic climate causing both substantial damage to the gutter and to the structure or roof.

Consequently, gutters must be maintained regularly and cleaned once or twice a year, depending on your conditions. For instance, large trees near your home could result in more debris accumulating in the gutters. Spring and summer are the best times for maintenance. Use a garden hose to simulate rain and walk around the home to check for leaks or water that is not draining properly. At Gutter Solutions, we offer a unique product, Gutter Helmet®, to protect your gutters from debris, thus eliminating the need to clean them.

The Pros About Gutters
While gutter maintenance can be a nuisance, fixing damaged gutters is not difficult or expensive. Holes can be patched and plugged with roofing cement. Sagging or loose gutters can usually be hammered back into place. If gutters are badly damaged, a single section can be replaced. Gutters cost as little as $2.50 per foot, depending on the material used, and can be found at your local home center.

Home gutters are most commonly made from vinyl, steel, aluminum or copper. Vinyl is light and strong, but it can become brittle in very cold weather making it more prone to damage from ice or hail. Vinyl gutters may last 5 years or more depending on the thickness and quality of the material. Steel is durable and holds a lot of weight, but it rusts where the finish wears off or becomes damaged. Depending on the coating used on the metal, steel gutters may last from 10 to 50 years.

Aluminum does not rust, but it dents easily compared to other types of gutter material. Aluminum gutters may last 20 to 25 years on average. Notwithstanding a minimum number of seems, aluminum gutters generally minimize the opportunity for leaks. Copper gutters are beautiful and make a design statement besides their actual purpose, but are expensive. With time, the copper develops a rich patina. Unfortunately, copper gutters can make homes a target for thieves because they are valuable and eye-catching.

Choosing whether or not to install gutters and, if so, what type of gutters, depends on your property, weather conditions, and budget. Weigh the pros and cons of home gutters to determine if they're right for your home.

At Gutter Solutions, we would be happy to schedule a no-obligation appointment to evaluate your particular situation and offer suggestions to mitigate any rainwater disposal issues affecting your home or business.

Contact Mike at (406) 222-0846 or email info@guttermontana.biz.

MIKE MOORE, Gutter Solutions' Business Manager
As a manager, business owner, and entrepreneur for over 30 years, Mike is uniquely qualified to provide a high level of customer service and an unsurpassed level of expertise in new construction and remodeling. Mike has been an important element of our team for the last three years. Among his many hobbies and interests are hunting, fishing, woodworking, and wildlife viewing.

Rain barrels really do help our environment! It's one way we can do our part to conserve our natural resources. By installing a rain-barrel system at your home you will:

1) Reduce flooding in your yard or your basement, by collecting the water and using it for watering plants or slowly releasing it and allowing it to sink into the ground.

2) Provide your plants with water they will love! Unlike treated water, which is "softened" with dissolved minerals, rainwater is naturally soft. The water stored in your rain barrel is better than municipal water for washing your car and watering indoor or outdoor plants.

3) Save money and water! Instead of water from the faucet, you can use the water you've saved to keep your landscape happy and growing. You'll also reduce your water and sewage bills!

4) Protect our rivers and streams! Water stored in your rain barrel is water that won't rush off into our streams. Instead, as you use the stored rainwater around the home and garden, it will absorb slowly into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies. By decreasing the volume of storm runoff, rain barrels also help moderate stream erosion and the resulting pollution that is impairing our waterways.

Installing & Managing Your Rain Barrel System
• Choose your installation location. Place and level barrel on cinder blocks. Ensure steady footing.
• Cut downspout 18" above barrel or install shorter piece from guttering. Add an automatic diverter box and attach the diverter pipe to the barrel.
• Attach garden hose or spigot to the shut-off valve at the bottom of the barrel. To fill barrel, close valve. Open valve to use rainwater or empty barrel.
• Disconnect the barrel from the downspout during winter.

Rain-Barrel Gardening
Montana rain patterns show regular rainfall events occur during April, May and June, just when vegetable gardens and perennial beds are being established. A wise approach is to water annuals and perennials with rain-barrel water and mulch heavily to retain moisture during the drier months of July and August. Occasional rains in late summer will continue to refill the barrel.

Increasing the Capacity of Rain Barrel Storage
Many Park and Gallatin County residents connect more than one rain barrel together at each downspout. Raising the barrels off the ground by placing them on blocks will ease access to the faucet and provide natural gravity to increase water flow.

Managing Heavy Rains
It is essential to consider the impact of heavy rains on your drainage system. An overfull barrel has the potential to cause erosion around your home. If heavy rains are predicted, attach the overflow hose and aim it away from the foundation of your home.

Managing Mosquito's
Regular use of your rain barrel will prevent mosquito eggs from hatching. The rain barrel may be capped with a fiberglass screen that allows water in, but keeps mosquitoes from getting into the barrel to lay their eggs. Also to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, add a tablespoon of cooking oil to form a sheen on the top of the water.
However, if you are still concerned about mosquitoes breeding in your rain barrel, you can add a whole or a half of a Mosquito Dunk to the water to kill mosquito eggs. Mosquito Dunks can be purchased at most garden supply stores and from www.AquaBarrel.com.

Call Gutter Solutions at (406) 220-0846 for more info.

WARNING: Do not use rain barrels for drinking, cooking or bathing. If your roof is asphalt, you should not collect water for vegetable gardens.

DAVE SKATTUM has 25 years in the construction industry and 10 years with Gutter Solutions. He lives in Pine Creek, MT with his wife, Laurie and son, Jordan.


(Thanks to the White Watershed Project for helping with this article Click to visit wishthefish.com)

Rain barrels really do help our environment! It's one way we can each do our part to conserve our natural resources.

By installing a rain barrel system at your home you will:

1. Reduce flooding in your yard or your basement, by collecting the water and using it for watering plants or slowly releasing it and allowing it to sink into the ground.

2. Provide your plants with water they will love! Unlike treated water, which is "softened" with dissolved minerals, rain water is naturally soft. The water stored in your rain barrel is better than municipal water for washing your car and watering indoor or outdoor plants.

3. Save money and water! Instead of water from the tap or faucet, you can use the water you've saved to keep your home landscape happy and growing. You'll also reduce your water bill and sewage bill!

4. Protect our rivers and streams! Water stored in your rain barrel is water that won't rush off into our streams. Instead, as you use the stored rain water around the home and garden, it will absorb slowly into the ground replenishing groundwater supplies. By decreasing the volume of storm runoff, rain barrels also help moderate stream erosion and the resulting pollution that is impairing our waterways. https://www.mtwatercourse.org/resources/page.php?pageID=44

Installing and Managing Your Rain Barrel System During the Growing Season and Winter

- Choose your installation location. Place and level barrel on cinder blocks. Ensure steady footing.

- Cut downspout 18" above barrel or install shorter piece from guttering. Add an automatic diverter box and attach the diverter pipe to the barrel.

- Attach garden hose or spigot to shut off valve at bottom of barrel. To fill barrel, close valve. Open valve to use or empty barrel.

- Disconnect the barrel from the downspout during winter.

Gardening with the rain barrel

Montana rain patterns show regular rainfall events occur during April, May and June, just when vegetable gardens and perennial beds are being established. A wise approach is to water annuals and perennials with rain barrel water and mulch heavily to retain moisture during the drier months of July and August. Occasional rains in late summer will continue to refill the barrel.

Increase the capacity of rainwater storage

Many Park and Gallatin County residence connect more than one rain barrel together at each downspout. Raising the barrels off the ground by placing them on cement or wooden blocks will ease access to the faucet and provide the natural gravity to increase water flow.


Managing heavy rains

It is essential to consider the impact of heavy rains on your drainage system. An overfull barrel has the potential to cause erosion around your home. If heavy rains are predicted attach the overflow hose and aim away from the foundation of your home.

Controlling mosquitoes

Regular use of your rain barrel will prevent mosquito eggs from hatching. The rain barrel may be capped with fiberglass screen that allows water in, but keeps mosquitoes from getting into the barrel to lay their eggs. Also to prevent mosquitoes from breeding you may add a tablespoon of cooking oil to form a sheen on the top of the water. However, if you are still concerned about mosquitoes breeding in your rain barrel, you can add a whole or a half of a Mosquito Dunk to the water in your barrel to kill mosquito eggs. Mosquito Dunks can be purchased at most garden supply stores and fromhttps://www.aquabarrel.com/product_mosquito_control.php.

WARNING: Do not use rain barrels for drinking, cooking or bathing. If your roof is asphalt you should not collect water for vegetable gardens.
For a professional installation in the Livingston, Montana and Bozeman, Montana area call Gutter Solutions (406)222-0846. We offer a wide selection of Rain Barrel systems and would love to help you plan a system that works for you.

Check out some other great Montana resources:https://www.harvesth2o.com/about.shtml
https://montanawildlifegardener.blogspot.com/2009/03/rain-barrels.html

Bummer! The rain gutters aren't working; they're plugged; they're falling off! Now we have to find someone to install a new gutter system. How do we find one? How do we know if they're any good? The best way to find any contractor is to ask your friends and neighbors who they used. You can also look on the Internet or Yellow Pages. It's always good to check with the Better Business Bureau.

7 THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A RAIN-GUTTER CONTRACTOR:
1. Does the company offer a guarantee, backed by the product's manufacturer?
2. Can they provide friendly, punctual service?
3. Does the company have a reference list for you to examine?
4. Are the installers certified and professional?
5. Is the company fully insured, including commercial auto, commercial liability, and workman's compensation?
6. Do they offer a wide variety of specialty products, colors and services?
7. Can they provide financing options?

For a professional installation in the greater Livingston/Bozeman areas, call Gutter Solutions. We offer a wide selection, from standard to high-end gutters and options, and rain barrel systems. We would love to help you plan a system that will work for you!