Excel Roofing’s Downspout Cleanout System

Downspout Cleanout System

Excel Roofing's Downspout Cleanout System

Proper drainage around a home is critical. Water draining too close to a house can cause foundation damage. The worst case is when a basement flood occurs, and as most of us know, this is not covered by most homeowner insurance policies.

The best way to avoid these problems is to have a well-designed drainage system, one that directs water away from the home. Good drainage starts with the landscaping around your house, the grade, or slope should always drain the water away from the home. Next are downspout tip-outs that extend a least 4 feet away from the home, or underground drains that carry the water away from the foundation.

The most frequent problem Excel runs into are gutters, downspouts, and underground drains that are clogged with debris. The next biggest problem we find with gutters is that the entire system is incorrectly designed. For instance, a downspout without an extension pipe, or downspout draining too close to a basement window well.

Clogged Downspout

After working with thousands of homeowners Excel has developed best practices for gutters. Excel does not believe in proprietary gutter cover systems you see on infomercials. As good as the marketing sounds, they just don’t perform as advertised. Excel thinks it’s best to leave the gutters uncovered, but make sure their clean!

We think the best drainage system is oversized outlets, and oversized downspouts. Outlets are the connection point between the downspout and the gutter. An oversized outlet looks like a big funnel.  It just makes sense; the biggest outlets and downspouts will allow the most water to drain. This is important because you don’t want the gutters to overflow in heavy downpours. There is another great benefit of big outlets and downspouts, they will allow the maximum amount of leaves and pine needles to flow through the downspout, with the least chance of clogging this pipe. This will help keep the gutter clean. If the water drains to an underground drain, this could be a problem. A clogged underground drain can be a very difficult and expensive problem to solve. Fortunately, Excel has a solution; a collector box installed at ground level will trap all of the debris before it goes underground and make cleaning simple.

Raindrop Downspout
Connecting Downspout
Downspout Cleanout System

What does it cost? An oversized downspout drain system for a 1 story home costs $250 per outlet and for a 2 story they are $350 each. If the downspouts go into underground drains, the collector boxes are a must!  They are $75 each. Excel believes our downspout clean-out systems are the best designed roof drainage systems you can find.

If you have any questions give us a call at 303. 761. 6400 and remember keep those gutters clean!

References:

https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repairs/fall-chores-you-shouldnt-ignore-a2374095408/

https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/home-safety/keep-your-home-safe-and-secure-a9001089632/

Make Sure Your Gutters are Clean!

Unclogging Gutters

Make Sure Your Gutters Are Clean

Clogged gutters are one of the leading causes of exterior damage to homes. Clogged gutters back up and damage the fascia and soffit boards. Sometimes the water can even back up into the home and cause drywall damage.

It is important to drain the water at least four feet away from the foundation of the home. Clogged gutters that overflow and allow the water to soak into the ground next to the foundation can cause structural damage to the home.

Roof and Gutters Descriptions

A solution that has become popular in the last several years is gutter protection. Some type of screen or metal cap on top of the gutter to prevent it from being clogged up with debris. Our opinion is, they don’t work well in our environment. We have seen the water overshoot the gutters during heavy downpours and during the winter icicles and ice dams will form on top of the gutter covers.

The best solution for sure is to keep your gutters clean. If there are no trees around your home, you should check the gutter to make sure they are clean and not clogged.  An easy way to do this is walk around the outside of your house during a rainstorm and check that the water is flowing out of the downspouts and not overflowing any of the gutters. If you have trees around your home, you should clean the gutters once to twice a year. If you have pine trees next to your home the gutters should be cleaned twice a year.

Clogged Gutters
Unclogging Gutters

Checking the downspouts to make sure they are not clogged is extremely important. A clogged downspout will back the water up into the gutter and cause it to overflow. The best way to check the downspouts is to put water in the gutters and make sure that the water is draining properly.

If a downspout is clogged, use a hose and water to clear the downspout. If the downspout goes underground into an underground drain, it is very important to not force debris into the underground section of the pipe. It is extremely difficult to clean underground drains.  If a downspout leading to an underground drain is clogged the downspout should be disconnected from the connection leading underground before water is put in the downspout to clear it.  Sometimes it’s necessary to take apart several sections of the downspout in order to clear the clog out.

Pine Needles

The most important thing to remember when cleaning gutters and downspouts is ladder safety.  In 2020 there were 171 deaths from people falling off ladders and over 22,000 injuries related to ladder falls.  Always choose a level area to place the ladder. Always bring a bungee and secure the ladder to the gutter with the bungee so the ladder does not slip off. The ladder should always extend 3 feet above the edge of the roof.

Thumbs up to clean gutters

Excel Roofing is an expert at climbing on and off roofs. Our gutter cleaning services will ensure that both the gutters and downspouts are clean and flowing properly. The best thing a homeowner can do is have Excel Roofing come out and clean the gutters and not have to worry about dealing with the ladders and other dangers of cleaning gutters. Call us at 303. 761. 6400 to schedule your gutter cleaning.

References:

https://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/home-garden/outdoor/602037065001/how-well-do-gutter-guards-work/

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gutters/21014902/tackle-gutter-gunk-with-these-cleaning-tips

Holiday Lights Safety

Putting Lights Up

Holiday Lights Safety

It’s that time of year when we all do our best Christmas Vacation impersonation. Excel Roofing cares about your safety when you are hanging holiday lights on your roof and gutters. So here are our 5 safety tips to ensure nothing goes wrong and you make it down in one piece.

Tip #1: Propper ladder safety is very important while installing and removing holiday lights.

Climbing ladder with help

Every year around 164,000 people go to the emergency room and 300 people die in the U.S. from falling off ladders, according to the World Health Organization. Make sure to prop your ladder on a flat surface both on the ground and against your house. You can use either an extension ladder or and A frame to install. When using an extension ladder use bungee cords to attach the ladder to the gutters for more stability. The A frame is better because you aren’t having to lean the ladder against the surface you are installing the lights on. It’s always a good idea to have someone holding the ladder below to ensure maximum stability.

Tip #2: Make sure that you are using the correct materials.

Putting Lights Up

You will need the correct lights, clips, ladders, and extensions cords. When picking out your electrical equipment make sure you choose outdoor lights and extension cords. This is essential in climates that get wet and snowy weather conditions. When installing the outdoor lights, use plastic clips if you are placing the lights on your roofline and gutters. The clips are the best option to avoid damaging the paint and finish on the gutters and avoid putting unnecessary penetrations in your roof. The clips for hanging the lights can be found at any hardware store near where the holiday lights are located. You also want to make sure that you have the lights properly connected so that you don’t overload 1 outlet. Typically, it is about 9 strands per outlet. Outdoor outlets are tied to a special circuit, GFI, that will trip the electricity off if it senses any moisture. Most people believe that when their electricity turns off, the solution is to go to the breaker box. However, there are 2 buttons on the outlet in the main floor bathroom that usually turn the electricity back on, even to the outdoor outlets.

Tip #3: If you are installing or removing your holiday lights from your roof, make sure that you use a tie off.

Roof Tie Off

Excel does not recommend you hanging your lights from the roof for a few reasons. First you can damage the shingles and second you are putting yourself at higher risk of a fall. If you do not have the proper harness for a tie off, it is probably best to not be on your roof.

Tip #4: Pick a day with good weather.

Nice Weather

Weather in the winter months is usually cold and snowy. Pick a sunny dry day to install or remove your holiday lights. Double check to make sure that the place where your ladder is set on the ground is clear of ice and snow. You do not want your ladder to slip out from underneath you. If you will be installing or removing your lights from the roof, make sure that the roof is clear of ice, so you do not slip off the roof. 

Tip #5: Check to make sure your gutters are clear of debris.

man Cleaning Gutters

When installing your holiday lights, it is important to have clean gutters and downspouts. With full gutters, it will be more challenging to install the clips to the edge. When you have clogged gutters, you also increase your chance of having ice damning and gutter overflow. If you get up on your ladder to install or remove your holiday lights and notice your gutters are filled with leaves, call Excel Roofing. For more information on gutter cleaning check out our other blog post all about gutters here.

It’s Fall – Time to Clean Your Gutters

It's Fall- Time to Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters in the fall is the best time to do this annual home chore. When the trees are clear of leaves, it’s time to make sure your home’s gutters and downspouts are clean.  I have a fall chore list that I group together: clean the gutters, blow out the sprinklers, and drain the evaporative cooler on the roof.

Excel Roofing, Denver’s best gutter cleaner, finds that downspouts are clogged more often than the gutters, so it’s important to make sure both the gutters and downspouts are thoroughly cleaned.

Gutter Covers– Excel Roofing has never seen a gutter cover system that works really well, and they do have some issues.  First, they are really expensive, costing between $15 to $20 per linear foot!   It’s less expensive to pay Excel to clean your gutters than to buy gutter covers.  Other problems include causing water to overshoot the gutters in heavy downpours, making icing and icicle problems worse, and the gathering of debris on top of the gutter.  Excel does not recommend that you cover your gutters.

Cleaning gutters is crucial because it helps keep water away from the foundation of your home.  Our part of the country has expansive soils that when saturated, can cause foundation damage to your home.  Basement flooding is another reason to keep water away from your home. Did you know that basement flooding caused by water coming in from the outside is not covered by your regular insurance?  If you do not have flood insurance, which most of us do not, then your basement is not covered if the gutters overflow and water leaks into the basement.  Excel has seen a number of flooded basements caused by clogged gutters.

Still more problems caused by overflowing and leaking gutters are damage to wood and paint.  It’s easy to see where the water flows onto the wood because the paint will peel and the wood will start rotting.  If you notice areas on the soffit or fascia board where the paint is peeling, this is a sign that the gutters are probably leaking, and may be clogged.  It’s best to clean the gutters and downspouts, and test the gutter with water to identify the reason for the leak.  If a gutter connection needs sealant, clean the area and use gutter sealant to fix the problem.  Gutter sealant is different than regular silicone and can be found at most hardware and big box stores.

Cleaning gutters and fixing gutter problems is a dangerous job.  If you are not comfortable working from a ladder for several hours, hire Excel Roofing to do this for you.   Excel Roofing offers simplified pricing for gutter cleaning:

$199 for a one story home

$299 for a two story home 

$399 for a three story home.

Don’t ignore your gutters! A clogged gutter system can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage.   It’s easy to get wrapped up in other home projects, but make sure those gutters are doing their job.

Storm Drainage System

heavily clogged gutter

Storm Drainage System

Having the right type of storm drainage system is crucial to preserving the foundation of your home. Proper storm drainage protects your home from soil erosion, basement flooding, water stains and paint damage. It also helps to prevent mold and mildew growth. 

There are many options when it comes to your storm drainage system. There are also many types of material, shapes and sizes available. This is why it is important to have an expert roofing company that can educate you on the right kind of drainage system for your home. 

At Excel, our roofing experts care about protecting your home just as much as you do. This is why we make sure that our water systems always drain away from your home, our downspouts always extend at least 4 feet away from your home and our underground drains always direct water away from your home. This prevents water drainage from causing issues like soil erosion, basement flooding and much more. 


Gutter Materials

There are many available options when it comes to gutter material, shapes and sizes.  The 4 main choices when it comes to gutter material are; aluminum, copper, steel and vinyl/ plastic.

Aluminum gutters are the most commonly used type of gutters. Aluminum is corrosion resistant, lightweight and easy to work with. It is also less expensive than many of its alternatives.

Copper gutters are much more expensive than aluminum gutters. However they are slightly stronger than aluminum gutters, don’t need to be painted and don’t mildew like painted gutters. 

Steel gutters are stronger but will rust. These types of gutters should also be inspected frequently to prevent clogging and premature rusting.

Plastic gutters can be easily broken.  Excel Roofing does not recommend plastic gutters nor do we install plastic gutters, as they typically fail.

Both aluminum and steel gutters can be fabricated on site.  

Excel Roofing recommends seamless aluminum gutters over steel because they hold up well, melt the snow and ice faster than steel and will never rust.


Excel Roofing Seamless Rain Gutter Services

Excel Roofing provides Denver’s best rain gutter installation, replacement and gutter cleaning services. Clogged, leaking, and improperly draining gutters can cause damage to your home and its foundation.

Overflowing gutters and downspouts can cause your basement to flood. When a basement floods because of outside water, insurance typically will not cover this disaster.

Excel Roofing installs seamless 5 & 6 inch rain gutters. Our seamless gutter machine creates custom seamless gutters, specifically for your home, at your home!

Why seamless gutters? Fewer seams mean fewer leak and failure points.


Clogged Gutters

heavily clogged gutter

Plant material such as seeds, cones, twigs and leaves can build up over time and lead to clogs in your drainage system. Buildup of these materials can also lead to animals like rodents and wasps nesting in your gutters. Buildup can also prevent water from moving through, and the added weight can lead to warped or sagging gutters. Winter can also bring challenges like snow buildup or ice dams, which can also lead to leaks, damages or warped gutters. 

Here are a few options to prevent storm drain backups:

  • Have your storm drainage system installed by an experienced expert like Excel Roofing
  • Have your gutters cleaned at least once a year (this is the best solution to gutter clutter)
  • Gutter covers are an option but they are very debatable because they can cause rain to overshoot the gutters and can contribute to clogging problems on top of gutters
  • Gutter screens are another option to protect you gutters, however these screens can become blocked and cause water to over shoot gutters
  • If you notice ice buildup, address it before it becomes worse


Leaking Gutters

Leaking gutters should receive immediate attention. If not fixed in a timely fashion, gutter leaks can lead to other issues with your home such as, damage to exterior walls, soil erosion, flooding, and damage to roofing material.

If you have leaking gutters here are some steps you should take to prevent further damage:

  • Get water 4 feet away from the house, otherwise you could have issues like basement flooding or damage to your foundation
  • Check to see if your downspouts are clogged (clogged downspouts can make it seem like you have a leak)
  • Check the slope of your gutters to make sure they aren’t sloped incorrectly, causing water to drain outside of them
  • Check to see if water is draining towards the downspouts
  • Check the corners of the gutters where they connect (sometimes gutters need to be resealed)



What If Shingle Granules Get In My Gutter?

asphalt shingles with granule loss

Question: When I was cleaning my gutters over the weekend, I found asphalt shingle granules in my gutter.  It looked like a lot to me. Do I need to fix my roof or replace it?

asphalt shingle with granule loss

Answer: Probably not. The granules on shingles just get loose over time.

Wind, rain and snow will cause them to come loose and collect in your gutters (or at the base of your downspout).  The granules coming loose and falling into your gutters is perfectly normal and the term for it is simply “fall-off.”

The granules are added to asphalt shingles as a protective measure against UV rays and also as a fire retardant.  These granules are constantly exposed to the elements and that means there is just no way they will all stay stuck to the shingles year after year.

In fact, washing a brand new asphalt roof will cause a lot of “fall-off” to build up.  So if you find a buildup of granules in the gutters or on the ground, don’t panic!

However, if your roof is an older roof it would be worth your time to just walk it and take a look.  If you see shingles where most of the granules are gone, those shingles will need to be replaced. The granules provide a layer of protection and without them, the shingle is left exposed and will deteriorate quickly.

It is normal to see asphalt shingle granules in your gutters or even on the ground. This does not necessarily mean that your roof is unhealthy or in need of repair or replacement.

If you are unsure and think your roof may need an inspection, contact Excel Roofing and we will let you know the condition of your roof — at no cost to you! Excel Roofing is a roofing expert, and knows when the shingles are too exposed.

Spring Cleaning Lists Should Always Include Your Gutters

clogged gutters with gutter cover

Spring Cleaning Lists Should Always Include Your Gutters

Gutter Inspection

A gutter inspection should be a part of everyone’s spring chores as a clogged gutter will only cause problems if left unattended.  So get out and inspect and clean those gutters before the April showers bring May flowers.

Unless the debris is piled high in the gutter, most gutter clogs won’t be visible from the ground.  You may see the effects of a gutter clog after it damages your home.


Gutter Clogs

clogged gutters with gutter cover

Often times a clogged gutter will cause the water to seep over the back of the gutter and into the fascia board.  If you see signs of moisture behind the gutter this is an indication of a clogged gutter. Water can damage the fascia, soffit, the siding and even leak into your home and damage the drywall.

This damage happens slowly and can cause thousands of dollars in damage before you know it.

A basement that has been flooded due to clogged and overflowing gutters is a disaster!  To make matters worse this disaster is not covered by insurance.

Overflowing water can also collect around the home’s foundation.  Water against the foundation of a home can cause the soil to expand and contract breaking the foundation of your home.   Moisture in your basement can lead to problems with mold.

Clogged gutters and downspouts tend to be the primary cause of these problems.

During a rain shower the water in a clogged gutter will overflow.  This can lead to problems such as washed-out landscaping and cracked pavement.  Ideally, the water will flow down the downspout and drain away from your home through a tipout.

The tipout is the extension on the end of a downspout and should move the water at least four feet away from the home’s foundation. Splash blocks can also be used to divert the water away from your home.

Either method works, just make sure the water is not running back towards your home.


Gutter Cleaning

Cleaning gutters is a dangerous job.

If you are not comfortable working off of a ladder for several hours, hire a professional.   Excel Roofing offers a gutter cleaning service.

Our standard rate is $299 for a one story home, $399 for a two story home and $499 for a three story home.

Above all, don’t ignore your gutters! A clogged gutter system can easily cause thousands of dollars in damage.   It’s easy to get wrapped up in other springtime projects, but make sure those gutters are doing their job.

The Gutter System

gutters being made

THE GUTTER DOWNSPOUT CLEANOUT SYSTEM

labeled gutter with oversized downspout

A gutter system is designed to move water away from your home’s foundation. Water draining too close to a house can cause foundation damage.  The worst case is when a basement flood occurs, and as most of us know, this is not covered by many homeowner insurance policies. The best way to avoid these problems is to have a well-designed drainage system.


ROOF DRAINAGE

Good drainage starts with the landscaping around your house. The grade/slope should always drain the water away from the home.


Next are downspout pipes that extend a least 4 feet away from the home, or underground drains that carry the water away from the home.


The most frequent problem Excel finds are gutters, downspouts, and underground drains that are clogged. Next are systems that are incorrectly designed, for instance a downspout without an extension pipe, or downspout draining too close to a basement window well.


GUTTER EXPERIENCE

After working with thousands of homeowners, Excel has developed best practices for gutters.  Excel does not believe in gutter covers, as well as the marketing sounds, they just don’t perform as advertised.


Excel thinks it’s best to leave the gutters uncovered, but make sure they are clean!


We think the best drainage system utilizes oversized outlets and downspouts.  Outlets are the connection point between the downspout and the gutter.


An oversized outlet looks like a big funnel.


It just makes sense—the biggest outlets and downspouts will allow the most water to drain.  This is important because you don’t want the gutters to overflow in heavy downpours.


Another great benefit of big outlets and downspouts is that they will allow the maximum amount of leaves and pine needles to flow through the downspout, with the least chance of clogging the pipe. This will help keep the gutter clean.


If the water drains to an underground drain, this could be a problem.  A clogged underground drain can be a very difficult problem to solve.  Fortunately, Excel has a solution: a collector box installed at ground level will trap all of the debris before it goes underground, and make cleaning simple.


GUTTER COST: OVERSIZES DOWNSPOUT

oversized downspout on a gutter

What does it cost?


An oversized downspout drain system for a 1 story home is $150 each, for a 2 story they are $250 each. If the downspouts go into underground drains, the collector boxes are a must! They are $75 each.


Excel believes our downspout clean-out systems are the best designed roof drainage systems you can find.  If you have any questions give us a call, and remember keep those gutters clean!


Watch J’s Video To Learn More About The Downspout Cleanout System


THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF GUTTER SYSTEMS


Chances are that your mind is not in the gutter. 

gutters being made on site


Well, maybe, but it’s probably not concerned with your rain gutters.  Go outside and take a look at them.  Are they cracked, sagging or just simply falling apart?  If so you will need to replace them immediately to avoid costly problems down the road.


THE MATERIALS OF EACH TYPE OF GUTTER


The gutter is usually made from plastic, steel or aluminum.


Plastic gutters are cheap and they are easily broken.  Excel Roofing does not recommend plastic gutters as they always fail.


Steel gutters are stronger but will rust.


Both aluminum and steel gutters can be fabricated on site.  A flat piece of metal is placed in one end of the fabricating machine and a seamless gutter cut to a specific length comes out the other end.


Excel Roofing recommends seamless aluminum gutters over steel because they hold up well, melt the snow and ice faster than steel and will never rust.


SIZING AND INSTALLATION


The most common gutter sizes have a five inch or six inch opening to catch the water.


For tile roofs, large roofs and/or steep roofs (like a roof of a church) the six inch gutters are a must.  Excel Roofing does not recommend any sort of covers or screens for your gutters.  They tend to cause the water to overshoot the gutters and they contribute to ice dam problems in the winter.


The gutter should be securely attached with a clip and special screw every two feet.  Screws are preferable to nails or gutter spikes as the screws will stay put and not back out over time.


If a nail or spike backs out, the gutter will sag and water will not drain properly.


DOWNSPOUTS


Downspouts need to be large enough to handle the heaviest rainstorms of the season.  The minimum size for a downspout should be 2×3 inches, but a larger size (like 3×4 inches which is twice as big) is even better. The larger size makes it less likely that anything will be able to block the downspout–even a tennis ball will drop right through.   Excel Roofing recommends an oversized 3×4 downspout because they can handle large amounts of water volume and debris.


If the downspout empties into an underground drain then the Excel Roofing Downspout Cleanout System is a must.  Otherwise the downspout should empty into a diverter that directs the water four feet away from your home.


If your home needs new gutters be sure to pick the right gutter system for your home.  Excel Roofing will help you choose the right system that not only looks great on your home but also effectively moves the water off the roof and away from your home. Contact Us today!

Insider Roofing Tips: Hail & Gutters

q&a with j from excel roofing

Insider Roofing Tips: Hail and Gutters

HI, I’M J BRETZ, THE OWNER OF EXCEL ROOFING.

I’ve been in the roofing business for almost 30 years, and I would like to share some insider information with you about hailstorms and roofers.


Pick a local company you can trust.  How do you know who to trust?  Ask these questions:

  • How long has the company been in business?
  • How many jobs have they done?
  • What is their BBB rating?


Trust: You can trust Excel Roofing. I founded Excel in 1993. We have performed over 32,000 jobs and have always maintained an A+ rating with the BBB.


Cancellation fees: Most roofers charge a 15% cancellation fee to cancel 


Local Company: We don’t door knock, and we don’t telemarket; however, this doesn’t mean we’re not interested in your business.  We’re just not storm chasers. Excel Roofing are the local guys who were here before the storm and will be here long after the storm chasers are gone.


Repairs: Storm chasers don’t do small repairs. Excel has a full service repair department.  This is important because

1) you want the company that installs your roof to be around if there’s ever a problem, and

2) you want them to be good a fixing roofs.


Money Up-Front: Don’t ever pay a roofer/storm chaser money up-front; you’re just asking for problems. If a roofer says they need money for material, it means they have a cash flow problem.  The dirty little secret is the salesman wants money up-front so he can get an advance payment on your deal.  The other reason they want money up-front is that it makes it almost impossible for you to get out of the deal if you change your mind.


Never pay any money until the job is 100% complete!  Don’t give in on this one.  No matter how sincere they sound, don’t pay anything until the job is complete.


Q & A: Hail


Q: HOW MUCH MORE DOES HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING COST?

A: Hail resistant roofing material is typically 5% – 15% more expensive than standard roofing. The good news is over the past 10 years, the cost to upgrade has dropped from a 30% price difference. The average price for a new standard asphalt shingle roof is $8125. To upgrade to hail resistant shingles would be $8325.


Q: IS HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING WORTH THE EXTRA COST?

A: I think so. The savings on a homeowners insurance premium will cover the cost. If a homeowner saves $250 a year on the premium, the hail resistant roofing material pays for itself within a few years.


Q: DO HAIL RESISTANT ROOFING MATERIALS ACTUALLY WORK?

A: Yes. They definitely sustain less damage from hail. The manufacturers of hail resistant roofing have done their homework and developed a stronger roofing material. The independent tests that Underwriters Laboratories developed has proven the strength of these materials. And the insurance companies are willing to offer discounts to those homeowners that do have them installed.


Q & A: Gutters


Q: HOW MUCH DO GUTTER SCREENS COST?

A: The best gutter screens can be purchased at your local hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. If you are not a DIY’er (do-it-yourself’er), Excel Roofing can install them for $4 per linear foot.


Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO UNCLOG AN UNDERGROUND (FRENCH) DRAIN?

A: This is a tough question to answer. It really depends on the clog and the design of the underground drain. Because French drains cannot be roto-rootered, often the entire drain will have to be replaced.


A correctly installed underground drain is usually about 15 feet long, the drainpipe needs to be sloped away from the house and completely surrounded by rock.


The average price to remove and replace an underground drain is $500.


Q: MY DOWNSPOUT KEEPS FREEZING. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

A: Heat cable should be installed to prevent future freezing. Heat cable can be found at your local hardware store for about $70 per 100 feet and obviously needs a power outlet near the install.


The cable needs to be strung into the gutter, down the downspout and several feet on to the ground. If the heat cable is going into an underground drain, the cable needs to be strung as far as possible.


Excel Roofing can install most 100 foot plug and play heat cable systems for $299.

excel roofing logo

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