Plan Your Year with This Exterior Home Maintenance Checklist

A two-story yellow house with white trim, black shingles, and three dormer windows features a covered front porch with columns and neatly trimmed bushes—perfect for showcasing your yearly home maintenance efforts against a clear blue sky.

Routine home maintenance can extend the life of your home’s materials and save you money on repair costs. Whether you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned pro, you may struggle to juggle all of the tasks you need to do around the property. This exterior home maintenance checklist can keep you on track throughout the … Read more

How to Get Icicles off Gutters

Icicles hanging from the edge of white gutters above a house corner, with a security light beneath the eaves on a cold, overcast winter day—a reminder to remove icicles and keep your gutters safe.

Icicles are pretty from afar, but they can be dangerous up close. All it takes is one smacking down at the right angle to severely injure an innocent passerby. This guide explains how to get icicles off gutters so that you can protect your loved ones this winter. Prevent Icicles by Cleaning Your Gutters Prevention … Read more

Can You Hang Christmas Lights with Gutter Guards?

A person wearing orange work gloves is hanging Christmas lights with green and blue bulbs along the edge of a house roof, preparing for decoration. Gutter guards are visible, and the sky is clear and blue in the background.

We made it through Halloween, and you know what that means… It’s time to hang the Christmas lights! Whether you plan to wait until Thanksgiving or already have your extension cords on standby, these holiday light-hanging tips will help you. Learn how to hang lights on gutters, even if you have gutter guards. How to … Read more

How to Prevent Ice in Your Gutters

A row of long, clear icicles hangs from the edge of a snow-covered roof above a window, highlighting the need for gutter ice prevention as some icicles extend downward past the window frame.

Iced gutters are heavy, dangerous, and completely preventable. Even in Michigan’s rough winter weather, you can keep your gutters clear of ice. Check out these tips to prevent ice in your gutters, courtesy of Sargent Gutters & Siding. Clean Your Gutters at the End of Fall Clogs are the primary cause of ice in gutters. … Read more

Are Gutters Required by Code?

A man wearing a white hard hat and orange safety vest inspects a house gutter for gutters code requirements while holding a clipboard. He is smiling and standing next to the roof on a bright, sunny day.

Building codes outline minimum standards for home construction. These codes vary by location, so it’s important to research protocol in your area. Here we will discuss common rules regarding gutter installation, but feel free to do additional research for your state, city, and county. Gutters Are Not a Code Requirement in Most Areas Generally speaking, … Read more

French Drains vs. Gutters – What’s Better for Water Management?

Left: Stacks of large black plastic drainage pipes with green edges, ideal for French drains. Right: Close-up of a house roof corner featuring a white gutter and downspout, showcasing effective water management against a blue sky with clouds.

French drains and gutters are great options for residential water management. Gutters work near the roof; French drains work on the ground level. What’s the best way to manage water on your property? What’s the difference between French drains vs. gutters? Read on to understand your options. How French Drains Work French drains are pipe … Read more

Pros and Cons of Black Gutters

A Sargent Gutters & Siding service vehicle is parked in the driveway of a white house with black gutters. The car features company branding and contact info. A sign reading Oxford Strong is displayed by the front door.

Black gutters have increased in popularity with the modern farmhouse design trend. This is a common gutter color for newly painted white houses, but it looks beautiful against a range of siding colors. If you’re debating whether or not to get black gutters, this guide will help you make that decision. Check out the pros … Read more

Be Prepared for These Summer Gutter Problems

A close-up of a house gutter filled with large green and brown leaves, attached to a shingled roof—highlighting the importance of regular gutter cleaning for effective gutter maintenance.

Your gutters do the bulk of their work in the spring months, but they continue to direct water away from your property in the summer as well. It’s important to monitor your gutters throughout the year, ensuring that they’re working smoothly and efficiently. Check out these common summer gutter problems, along with pro tips for … Read more

Seamless Gutters vs. Regular Gutters: Are Seamless Gutters Worth It? 

A close-up view of a suburban house with gray shingle roofing, brick and white siding, multiple windows, and a covered porch with white columns—ideal for learning gutter cleaning safety tips under a clear blue sky.

Seamless gutters have been around for a while, but many homeowners are still unaware of their benefits. If you’re getting new gutters or exploring your replacement options, it’s time to compare seamless gutters vs. regular gutters. Are seamless gutters worth it? What’s the cost difference between sectional gutters and seamless gutters? Read on to make … Read more

Budgeting Tips for Gutter Replacement

A woman wearing glasses sits at a table working on a laptop, surrounded by papers, a calculator, and a smartphone in a home setting. She is writing notes while researching budgeting tips for gutter replacement.

If your gutters are old, worn or just not the right fit for your home, it’s time for an upgrade. Guttering is relatively inexpensive compared to new roofing or siding, but it’s not cheap either. These budgeting tips for gutter replacement can help you plan for your upcoming investment. How Much Do Gutters Cost? In … Read more