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HOME MARCH 2019 4 18 Full-size Doors On Display in our Brookfield Showroom 16'x7', 24 Gauge...Non Insulated Steel $ 895 Lifetime Door Co. TRUCKLOAD SALE on Garage Doors & Door Openers Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! ORDER A LIFTMASTER 1/2 HP GARAGE DOOR OPENER & GET 2 REMOTES & KEYPAD. $ 395 Installed Tax Included Serving Southern Wisconsin Since 1976 262-783-4004 Monday - Friday 7am-4:30pm www.lifetimedoor.net Model 8365 • Free Estimates • Huge Inventory • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated, Full 2" Thick NOW $ 1095 Installed Tax Included 16x7 SAVE $ 240 Wisconsin's Largest Liftmaster Dealer!!! 263057007 MILWAUKEE — "Nearly every longtime homeowner will be faced with making a decision between gutter repair or replacement at some point," said Christo- pher Wittmann, exterior product specialist with Callen Construction in Muskego. "In this situation, it's best to thoroughly examine the gutter system and look for particular clues that will guide you in the right direc- tion." For instance, confined damage such as leaking caused by one failing joint or a couple of loose hangers point toward gutter repair. Alternatively, more serious damage, such as detached or sagging gutters, prevalent fissures or rust, and base- ment flooding, all signify gutter replacement. If you spot gutter damage while cleaning out your gut- ters this spring, you'll first want to evaluate the extent of the damage. "If it's limited to a couple of locations, repairing the affected sections is the logi- cal choice over replacing the entire gutter system," Wittmann said. Examples of minor dam- age include small holes, tears or cracks. "These can easily be repaired with rubbing alco- hol and sealant. If the splits are bigger, however, then you may need to install a metal flashing or patch inside the gutters," he said. Remember to periodically check your gutter system for possible leaks when snow melts or it rains. If you do find one, try to deter- mine if the leak is localized to an area. If it is, chances are only that specific area will require repair. Typical- ly, a single joint or seam can be repaired by firmly fas- tening the leaking section to the neighboring section or sections. Sometimes sealant is also needed to completely fill in the leak and create a watertight seal. "Another sign that sug- gests gutter repair is needed are loose hangers, which can eventually become unfastened and fall around your property," Wittmann said. These can simply be reat- tached and secured with a screw-type fastener tight- ened with the use of a drill. If the hangers are warped or considerably worn, then be sure to replace them. For more serious gutter issues, such as disconnected or bulging gutters, call for gutter replacement. "In order for a gutter sys- tem to be fully functional, all of the gutter sections must be securely connected to each other as well as to the home itself and must not show indications of sag- ging," Wittmann said. When gutters are detached, the water cannot properly drain away from the home. Similarly, sagging gutters will collect precipi- tation in the gutter, which can culminate into an over- flow and cause water dam- age. It is suggested to take a close look at the presence of any tears or areas of rust in the gutter system. "If holes and rust stains seem to dominate multiple spaces or are expanding at a rapid pace, it reveals that your gutters are at the end of their life span," Witt- mann said. "Repair would be futile in this scenario since fixing a section at a time would serve as merely a Band-Aid approach. Therefore, replacement is required." Foundational signs of gutter problems It's possible that if you see water damage, mold or mildew near your home's foundation or in your base- ment, that your gutter sys- tem is the likely culprit, especially if the gutters are eroding and are plugged with water. In this case, the water does not flow away from the home, rather it falls directly below, landing near the foundation of your property and seeping into the basement. "If left untreated, the mis- guided water can cause severe damage to the home's foundation," said Wittmann. "Needless to say, prompt gutter replacement is unequivocally necessary." Another way to make sure gutters work properly is through a gutter protection system. For nearly 20 years, Callen has installed Gutter Topper on thousands of homes throughout south- eastern Wisconsin. "With Gutter Topper, water flows smoothly into the gutters, even during the heaviest downpour, while leaves and other debris stay out. Equal- ly effective against ice and snow, Gutter Topper is available in a full array of colors, so you can coordi- nate with your roof and gut- ters," he said. Determining whether your home's gutters need to be repaired or replaced is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Remember, repair is suitable for minor damage such as limited wear and tear, a single leak, or a few unsecured hangers. Conversely, replacement is appropriate for major impairments such as dis- connected or sinking gut- ters, widespread tears or rust, and water damage near the foundation or in the basement. Don't hesitate to have your gutters inspect- ed by a professional. "This will help solidify your decision and you can rest assured knowing that your gutters will be working as they should in no time," Wittmann said. How to decide between gutter repair and replacement Fix that unsightly hole in the wall with patience, right technique While your walls can suf- fer from everyday living, repairing drywall can be an easy fix if you have a lit- tle patience and the proper tools. ■ Nicks, dings and dents — Cut off any raised debris with a razor blade so it's completely smooth. Using a drywall knife, smooth a pre-mixed spack- ling compound over the dent or hole and let it dry for about 15 minutes. Light- ly sand the area, apply another thin coat and sand again until the spot is total- ly smooth. Then, apply paint for a completed look. ■ Cracks — Long, skin- ny cracks aren't as scary as they look, usually the result of the house flexing or settling and for ming around windows and doors that were installed too tightly. To fix, get all of the loose debris out of the crack with a utility knife or flathead screwdriver. Next, apply a drywall compound into the crack to hold it together and prevent it from cracking again. Let it dry and apply a second coat. After the area is dry, it's ready to be sanded and painted. ■ Small to medium holes — If the hole is more than a few inches wide, you'll need a drywall patch. Cut a square of repair dry- wall 2 inches larger than the hole. With a utility knife, score the front of the drywall, then snap it back and cut the back for a per- fectly smooth-edged piece. Next, outline the piece over the hole in the wall with a pencil and then cut the existing drywall along the lines with a drywall saw. Screw two pieces of thin wood inside the hole at the top and bottom. Place the patch over the hole and screw it in, making sure the heads of each screw are below the surface for an even finish. Apply a square of drywall mesh, which is sticky on one side, over the patch. This will help bond the patch to the wall. You're now ready to spack- le, using a pre-mixed wet drywall applied in three thin coats. Let it dry, sand it down and apply another two coats to make it nice and smooth. ■ Large holes — Repair- ing large patches due to water damage or another issue is just a bigger, longer process of fixing a smaller hole. Instead of using nail- er boards, cut out a square or rectangle from one stud to the next stud, and then screw the large patch into the studs. Use joint tape instead of drywall mesh, then just apply two to three coats of compound and lightly sand in between each one.

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