Through the Vinyl Siding Institute's (VSI's) Certified Installer program, one of Home Visions Inc.'s most experienced professionals, Josh Spence, received thorough training on proper, industry-approved vinyl siding installation techniques.  VSI's certification process involves a combination of classroom training, hands-on instruction and a written test given by a VSI Certified Trainer.  Candidates must have a minimum of one year of experience.

Take a look at some of our recent siding work here.

Each VSI Certified Installer must demonstrate the knowledge and skills to properly install vinyl siding and accessories, based on the industry standard, ASTM D4756 (Practice for the Installation of Vinyl Siding).  When you hire a company certified through VSI's program, you can be confident that they know how to:

-Correctly fasten the siding to allow for vinyl's normal expansion and contraction properties and keep it straight and secure on the wall.
-Properly prepare the area around doors, windows and other openings to prevent water infiltration.
-Pay attention to the details that will give your home a beautiful appearance that will last over time.

We are proud of Josh for successfully completing the training and earning this distinct certification.  This training translates well to our customers when specific questions arise during the process of a replacement siding project.


 

You might think that the recent rainfall would have gone a long way to improving the area’s current drought.  But, it did little to improve things.

The percent of the Northeast region under at least moderate drought dropped from 27.68 to 25.96 percent between April 17 and 24. The area under the severe drought classification fell a little more from 7.35 to 4.07 percent.

The immediate Washington, D.C. metro area is not in drought, but classified as “abnormally dry.”  This includes northern Virginia.

The message here is that we still need rain and when it comes, it will come in buckets. The annual rainfall deficit is 4.17” in Washington, D.C. 
Now is the time to fix your problematic roof and gutters.  Don’t take reactive measures, rather take proactive ones.  Get a quote today!

Here are the annual rainfall deficits for Baltimore:

Baltimore: 4.17”

In most cases it is a good idea to replace gutters and downspouts when re-siding a home. This is not to say that you could not replace your gutters when you have your roof replaced, but consider a few key details when making this decision.

For starters, what is the condition of the fascia board behind the gutter? If you have exposed wood as many homeowners do, you should strongly consider capping the fascia board prior to rehanging the gutters. This maximizes protection from rain and prevents the need for annual painting and maintenance.

If fascia capping or fascia board replacement is required, it is best to call a siding expert. Most roofers do not have the tools required to properly cap the fascia precisely.

During eight years of replacing gutters on homes it is evident that full gutter replacement usually has to occur when the existing rain carrying system has failed.   Problems usually begin with gutter systems of old that used gutter spikes that enter in the front of the gutter and fasten to the fascia board behind the gutter.  The recurring issue that we see is that the spikes over time move and shift due to heavy loads (ice), moisture and heat.  The biggest challange with the gutter spikes is that they are typically fastened in one area and it is extremely difficult to move or manipulate the spikes when the system begins to fail.  Here are a few photo examples of the gutter spike system.






New replacement gutter systems use hidden hangers to provide ridgidity as well as the ability to manipulate the fastener or add additional securing devices if needed.  The hanger is secured to the gutter and then actually screwed into the fascia board from the back of the gutter which makes for a tighter fit and a gutter that is not likely to fail over time.  Here is an example of the hidden hanger system at work.



Request a free consulation today for affordable replacement 5" or 6" seamless gutters that are made to specification on-site.  We also carry a wide variety of gutter covers to prevent clogging from leaves and other debris.