With close to spring-like temperatures these last two weeks, we've been getting some outside work done on the house.
We recently suffered some leaks onto our living room ceiling and after having it inspected by two different companies (one that does not do gutters, so they had no vested interest), it was concluded that our gutters were to blame.
Greg climbs a ladder a few times a year to remove debris from the gutters, but that, evidently, wasn't good enough for this winter. While we've known the slope on the old gutters wasn't great, we didn't realize just how bad of a problem it was. What appears to have happened during the deep freeze most of the country experienced a few weeks ago, is that after a lot of rain and a bit of snow, an ice dam built up in the guttering on the front of our house. At some point it must have encroached into the soffit and worked its way into the attic - how much it's hard to know. A warm day finally allowed it to start melting, resulting in a series of wet spots across the front outside edge of our living room ceiling. For the moment, the stains left don't look very bad, and likely no one visiting would even notice them, but we know they are there. At some point, a ceiling paint job will likely be hired out, but we first addressed the gutters.
The company offered us multiple discounts (because it was February, and we're seniors, and the salesman treated us to a friends and family discount, AND we were extremely flexible with the timing of the installation) and the price finally came down to merely expensive, instead of the insane amount the salesperson started with. I suppose they have to do stuff like that to make you feel a little better about parting with your cash. At the end of the day, with today's inflation, while I don't expect that we got a "deal", we think the price is reflective of the current economy, but more importantly, Greg got freedom from having to climb a ladder again to clean the gutters every spring and fall. And, hopefully, a new gutter with a good leaf filtering system will be a nice feature when we decide to sell.
The thought of selling and moving ever again makes me numb, but realistically, we won't likely be here more than 10 years, considering our ages. That's the way Greg talks, anyway. I can't think about it.
It's supposed to reach 60 degrees here on Friday, and I'm nearly giddy about it! I know this unseasonably warm weather won't last long, but it's that many fewer cold days 'till spring!
Not climbing is a good thing. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad the cost seemed acceptable, at least.
You all be safe and God bless.
Acceptable. That's a good word, Linda. Hub is behaving like a huge burden has been lifted. :)
DeleteWhen we lived in Ohio everyone had gutters on their houses, as we did. Here in upstate New York, less people have gutters on their house and it's because of the constant snow and ice. Icicles get to be quite heavy and will break the gutters off!
ReplyDeleteMartha, that is very interesting. Having only known houses with gutters, it's never occurred to me that no gutters is better in other climates. Now that we've experienced this, I can understand. I find it weird, that while overall, our winter season has been warmer of late, this year an ice dam would build up during a few days of frigid cold and cause the damage it did. Hopefully, having gutters sloped correctly will prevent this in the future.
DeleteBecki, this is something I am now thinking about as well now that the roof is down. Interestingly, here in New Home the front and backs of houses generally have gutters, but not the sides of the house, where the bulk of the water flows down from.
ReplyDeleteLike your husband, I would appreciate not having to climb up semi-regularly to clean them out.
Climbing up and down the ladder today (along with hubs) to inspect the work, I have a greater appreciation for how difficult that becomes with age. With a slightly creaky knee it made the task more cumbersome for me than it probably would have been in the years before my knee creaked. I'm relieved that hubs has fewer reasons to climb up on a ladder. :)
DeleteWe did the cover for gutters on one side of our house a few years back when we got new gutters. I regret not doing it in more places. It is a never ending job cleaning them out from the 2 gigantic pine trees that hover over the house. They do the same thing...cause leaks. not fun.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I've only recently learned how difficult pine needles can be to deal with. One of the houses in our neighborhood is surrounded by pine trees. I have to wonder what kind of job they have cleaning out their gutters.
DeleteThose kinds of home improvements are investments in the future, whether you stay or sell. As Ron and I age, we think of things that will enable us to stay comfortable in our house longer. Of course, only the Lord sees the future, but I think it's wise to consider what we do know. I am glad that your husband will no longer need to climb a ladder to clean out the gutters! ~ Cheryl @ thinkingabouthome
ReplyDeleteCheryl, every time we've had to spend money on the house lately, we remind ourselves, it's an investment. This one for hub's safety, and hopefully, the resale value of this house.
DeleteI bet you are thinking thank goodness that's another job done, there always seems to be something that needs fixing, my gutters need work too but it's finding a tradesman you can trust and won't charge you an arm and a leg. A leaf filtering system sounds like a great idea. xx
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda. It feels very satisfying. And the new gutters look so good too. :)
DeleteWe had Leaf Filter do our gutters in our Jacksonville house.I'm sure that improvement helped to sell the house. Wish we had them in this house.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I've given thought to if/when we move, that I sort of doubt we'll fork over that kind of money again. If we're old enough by then, we'll probably save money in the long run just hiring someone to clean the gutters a couple of times a year.
DeleteOh my what a huge job. I know the feeling you express about trying to deal with changes as we age. The talk around here has started, too, about when we should move from our home into something smaller and easier to caretake. My hubby is now closer to 80 than 70 so it's getting nearer the time. Dear Lord, give us grace for every step.
ReplyDeleteHub turns 70 this year. He keeps saying within 10 years we'll likely move. I know that's reasonable, if we even make it that long here, but I just don't want to think about it...
DeleteIt's an 'ouch' to have to pay for those sorts of repairs but the end result is what counts. Not having to climb on a ladder is an additional benefit.
ReplyDeleteWe moved to this apartment 13 years ago when we started to realize that the large property we had was just too much for either of us to deal with. We could have purchased a much smaller house/property but then we realized that would just be a short-term thing so decided to go right to apartment life. Most of the time we don't regret that decision (although we do miss having a garage and a small garden). DH will be 82 this year so I think we did the right thing. Sure don't want to contemplate having to move again at this stage.
We're turning 65 and 70 this year, and I know hub is going to be ready quicker than I likely am to downsize from this house. I'm pulling for staying here at least 10 years (from the time we moved in). I just can't imagine putting ourselves through a move again sooner than that. Time will tell, though. Life has a way of dictating changes like this - especially as we get older.
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