Fountain Valley, CA
Where the water goes after it leaves the roof
A roof that drains badly rots at the edges first — fascia, soffit, then the ends of the rafters. All of it cheaper to prevent than to replace.
Describe the gutters job
Three questions, then the address. Up to three Fountain Valley contractors who do this work.
Your request is in.
We are matching it now against roofing contractors working in Fountain Valley and the surrounding area.
- Today, usually within the hour. The first contractor calls or texts the number you gave us. ASAP requests go out first.
- Up to three of them, no more. We cap it at three so you can compare without your phone melting.
- They come and look. Estimates are given after somebody has been on the roof, not over the phone.
- You decide, or you do not. There is nothing to cancel and nothing to pay us.
If you do not hear anything today, check your voicemail and spam folder — contractors often call from a mobile number.
Before you let anybody on the roof
The things worth pinning down on a gutters job. A contractor who has not raised them has not looked properly.
- Number and position of downspouts
- Condition of the fascia behind the old gutter
- Seamless or sectional, and what gauge of aluminium
- Gutter size against the roof area draining into it
- Where the water is discharged, and how far from the foundation
Guards reduce cleaning; they do not eliminate it. Treat any product sold as maintenance-free with suspicion.
Size matters more than people think. Five-inch gutter on a large steep roof will overshoot in heavy rain no matter how clean it is.
Check the fascia before the gutter goes back up. Hanging new metal off soft wood buys you a year.
Locally
Behind it: shaded slopes that never really dry out. Damp that arrives every morning and leaves by lunchtime is worse for a roof than rain, because nothing ever fully dries between one and the next.
About gutters here
What if the decking is rotten underneath?
Some of it usually is. The important thing is that the price per sheet is agreed in writing before the tear-off, so the conversation on day two is about quantity rather than rate.
How many contractors will contact me?
No more than three. We picked that number because two quotes is not enough to spot an outlier and five is an ordeal.
Are the contractors licensed and insured?
Contractors have to give us their state licence number and proof of liability and workers compensation cover before they can receive requests. You should still ask to see current certificates yourself before work starts — a licence can lapse between checks.
What should I do to prepare?
Move the cars out, take pictures off the top-floor walls, cover anything stored in the attic, and put pets somewhere else for the loud days. Expect nails in the driveway however careful the crew is — ask whether they run a magnet at the end.