Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How do I know that I need new eavestroughs or gutter guards?
The simplest way to tell if you need new eavestroughs is to walk outside when it’s raining and look at your eavestroughs. Is water overflowing? Are the eavestroughs leaking? Is there water running down the side of your home instead of the downspouts? These are all signs that your current eavestroughs are not doing what they are intended to do, and could result in damage to your building.
Now look at your eavestroughs when it isn’t raining. Are they cracked? Stained? Sagging? Rusted? Is there something building a nest in your eavestroughs? All of these are indications that you may need new gutters. Another common scenario is that as the fasteners on older eavestroughs give out. This causes the gutters to pull away from the fascia causing rain to miss the gutters altogether and providing habitat for all sorts of animals.
Next time you’re up there cleaning your eavestroughs, make a point to check if there is a lot of ‘gunk’ accumulating on the bottom of your gutters. If there is, you want to consider getting gutter guards.
Clogged eavestroughs can cause rainwater to overflow and seep into your home’s foundation, resulting in deterioration and flooding. Our trained estimator can tell you if you need new gutters. Contact us today for your free estimate and find out if your eavestroughs are damaging your home.
Why do I need eavestroughs at all?
Without gutters, your home is unprotected from water damage. When it rains, the water that flows off the roof lands around your home and can be very damaging to anything in its way, such as a wood or concrete deck or walkway, a flower garden or landscaping, and, most importantly, your foundation.
The water will eventually erode the soil around the foundation and re-slope the grade towards your home. Once this happens, water will pool by your foundation, seep into the foundation, expand and crack in the winter, and then eventually make its way into your basement where it can cause serious damage. Properly installed eavestroughing can help you avoid all these problems.
How often do I have to clean my gutters?
Plan on cleaning your eavestroughs at least two times per year, depending on how much leaf litter you get around your home. Only take on this task yourself if you know you can work safely from a ladder or from the roof. If your roof has a steep pitch, or is more than one-storey, plan on hiring a professional.
How do I stop my eavestroughs from overflowing?
If your eavestroughs are overflowing, either the gutters and/or downspouts are clogged, or they are too small to handle the volume of run-off. Any eavestrough installation that is more than 20 years old will likely need to be replaced as eavestrough standard widths have increased to better handle run-off from the roof. Our expert staff will also inspect the condition of your fascia to ensure that there is no damage or rot.
Why do I need to protect my gutters?
Your rain gutters perform the critical task of collecting rainwater and carrying it away from your roof, walls, and foundation. Gutters choked with debris, tennis balls, leaves, and other ‘gunk’ cause water to overflow and can damage the roof, siding, paint, interior walls, basement, and foundation resulting in expensive repairs. It can also cause flooding and landscape erosion.
The ‘gunk’ that remains in your eavestroughs creates a comfortable home for mosquitos, termites and plants.
Do your eavestroughs and downspouts come in more than one colour?
Yes! We have dozens of colours to choose from. We will help you choose the colour and style that is perfect for your home.
Not only do we have different colours, we also have 5-inch and 6-inch widths to match your roof type, and 6-inch ½-round gutters to completely change your homes profile. All of our eavestroughs are made on-site with our seamless aluminum extrusion machines. Because our gutters are all aluminum, they will never rust and are able to withstand wear-and-tear for decades of great-looking function.
Why should I trust MWG Ventures with my eavestroughs?
MWG Ventures has been installing eavestrough systems in and around the Interlake for over 12 years. We have a solid reputation and stand behind all of our work with a 2-year labour warranty, on top of the product warranties. We use only the highest quality materials and our crews are experienced and dedicated to doing a great job on your home. Book your free estimate today and feel the difference that it makes to get covered by MWG Ventures.
Do You Offer Free Estimates?
Under most circumstances there is no charge for us to come out to your home and give you a quote. There are some circumstances however that charges may be required to complete certain estimates. This would be explained to the customer in advance. We do not offer free estimates on smaller repairs. A minimum service charge of $250.00 is applicable on most repair calls.
While an estimate may be free to the homeowner it does cost the contractor time and money to come out to your home and complete an estimate. While we appreciate the opportunity to give you an estimate we do so under the premise that we have a reasonable and fair opportunity of getting the job and completing the work for you.
Are You Insured?
Yes! We are fully insured for personal injury and damage.
Do I need to be home while the work is being done?
No. All we need is access to an exterior electric power outlet.
What causes huge icicles at the edge of the roof even though there is an eavestrough system in place?
Ice will form in winter if you have eavestroughs / gutters or not. However, icicles are usually the result of poor insulation or ventilation (usually both) within your attic.
What are the differences between aluminium and vinyl eavestroughing?
Aluminium is more durable especially for the weather in Canada. It is also a continuous piece of eavestrough so you have no leaks, as opposed to vinyl where you will have leaks at every seam. As well, there are no gaps between the aluminum gutter and the fascia board, unlike vinyl gutters.
Do wet leaves stick to leaf guard?
They will only stick temporarily. Just as they may temporarily stick to the hood of your car, leaves and debris that land on the surface of our leaf guard dry quickly in the sun. Unlike the hood of your car, the surface beneath the wet leaves on your eavestrough is perforated so they dry faster!