Email: President@Cederberginc.com 

Welcome to Cederberg Inc. web site.  The following is an introduction to what we specialize in.  Cederberg Inc. serves the North Shore Communities of the Greater Chicagoland Area.  Click HERE For Service Areas.

1.  Hassle-free gutter maintenance programs

In an effort to make routine gutter cleaning service more convenient for you, we have designed the very popular Ongoing Gutter Maintenance Programs customized to every homeowner's needs. 

After your initial gutter cleaning and evaluation performed at your property, we will send you a simple proposal suggesting how often your gutters need to be cleaned, depending on the condition of your gutters and conditions around your house.  

On the proposal you will simply consider our suggestion and initial next to the service level that you choose, sign and mail it back. 

Once you have an established program, we will simply contact you a few days prior to scheduled service to confirm the gutter cleaning; however, no one needs to be present for the work to be done. In addition, the gutter-cleaning technician will take place, as scheduled and any other prearranged gutter matters that need attention will be taken care of. We will then leave a tag on your door to let you know that the work was done and mail you an invoice.   

2.  Gutter cleaning and free evaluation

Gutter cleaning  is one of the most important home-maintenance services needed at least twice a year. It is often overlooked until gutters actually overflow and cause substantial damage. Preventive maintenance is the most efficient way to prolong the life of your gutters, roof, windows and siding.

Gutter cleaning consists of cleaning out leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts and cleaning off all accessible roof areas. It also includes cleaning up gutter cleaning related debris off the ground after the gutters are cleaned. In addition, the gutter-cleaning technician will make notes and record the condition of your gutters at no extra charge. Should your gutters need special attention we will let you know if you are at home, otherwise we will call you or will list any suggested additional work on the invoice.

3.  Gutter strainer installations

Gutters often do not have any strainers installed on top of the downspouts, and if they do, often those strainers are inadequate to do the job of keeping the debris out of the downspouts and letting water through. Our gutter strainers, or downspout strainers, are made from heavy gage steel wire, which makes them strong and heavy so they stay in place. They are also galvanized to protect them against the elements. These strainers last at least eight or ten years, making them more economical than cheaper aluminum mesh or plastic versions that commonly need to be replaced almost every year. Mesh strainers get clogged as fast as downspouts without strainers. Also, the natural elements often displace lesser quality strainers out of place and they can just lay next to the downspout opening rather than sitting in it, because those strainers are too light. Further, aluminum strainers are flimsy and often bent out of shape. Finally, the UV rays usually break down the plastic strainers and within a couple of years these strainers just crumble and fall inside the downspouts they were intended to protect. We encourage you to have us install our gutter strainers to reduce future downspout clogging in between cleanings. Our techs don't automatically just install strainers so please ask us for the strainers or approve the installation of strainers when it is suggested to you.

Please note:  For copper gutters use only copper strainers.  Copper reacts chemically with aluminum (through a process known as electrolysis), eventually resulting in holes in the gutter. For that same reason don't use copper strainers in aluminum gutters. 

4.  Gutter screens or covers

Gutter screens are very profitable.  For that reason every hardware store or even home improvement catalogue carries some sort of contraption, cheep or expensive, with a promise that you won't have to clean your gutters ever again.  The fact is that every year we remove screens out of gutters on hundreds of homes.  Simply, because there is no screen, or helmet, or mesh that will keep EVERYTHING out of your gutters.  Screened gutters also have to be cleaned on a regular basis and the cost is often much higher because of the extra labor involved. On the other hand, we will be happy to install screens for you if you desire, but we do not recommend them nor guarantee their durability or effectiveness.

5.  Seamless gutter installation: aluminum or copper and gutter types

Seamless gutter simply means that a straight gutter is made of one continuous peace of gutter material. There are still seams on corner miters, downspout outlets and end cups. Seamless gutters are more durable because seams tend to weaken the gutter over time and can cause destructive and annoying water leaks ten or fifteen years after installation. The seam sealer cracks due to the constant expansion and contraction of the metal, and seams have to be re-sealed from the inside with a special high quality gutter sealer.

Copper VS. Aluminum

There is really no difference what your gutters are made of as far as functionality is concerned.  Aluminum is practical and inexpensive and provides a neat, clean look. Copper is very expensive compared to aluminum but may be desirable on certain buildings to provide a distinctive classic look as it takes on the color of its greenish patina.

Selecting a gutter type: K Style, Or 1/2 Round

The "K" System is the most common and efficient gutters.  We also install these gutters in two common sizes of 5" and 6". Please inquire about any other styles or custom made gutters that you might be interested in.

"K" System Gutters- can be made from aluminum or copper commonly in 5" and 6" widths and should be made right at the job site if any gutter lengths are over twenty feet.  This ensures that all gutter lengths are made seamless. "K" System gutters can be hung in a number of ways. The best way is to attach them to the fascia board with inside hidden gutter hangers, which from inside add structural rigidity to the gutter.   We only use screws in aluminum gutter installation.  Screws unlike nails do not pull out resulting in sagging gutters.  Downspouts put together with stainless steel screws can actually be quickly and neatly taken apart for clog clearing as opposed to riveted ones which have to be ripped apart or drilled out which is more time consuming and may lead to further damage. Aside from higher quality installation, the best thing about using screws in gutters is the fact that they do not increase the cost of the job.

6.  Gutter repairs

Our technicians are trained to spot problem areas with your gutter system that can  easily be overlooked by any homeowner.  The evaluation of your gutters is best done when the gutters are being cleaned. This way we see what's in the gutter, how it is attached to the fascia board and what is the condition of the edge of roof.

Below are some common repairs:

• Normal wear and tear after about 20-30 years aluminum and copper gutters begin to have pinholes. When it rains it appears that water drips from gutters that are seemingly in good condition.  In fact both copper and aluminum oxidize and as a result tiny pinholes form resulting in dripping. Gutter replacement is the only solution. Sagging gutters: Older gutters often sag because years ago contractors used big spike nails to nail the gutter through the front and back of the gutter and  into the facial board.  Because the metal constantly expands and contracts, over time the gutters literally pull the spikes out weakening the whole gutter system (sadly some contractors still use those spikes as opposed to inside hidden gutter hangers which should be screwed into the facial board instead of nailed). Gutter replacement is necessary in most cases.  On newer sagging gutters it is sometimes possible to install inside hidden hangers to reinforce and re-pitch them. 

• Storm damage occurs when falling objects, such as branches during storms, crush gutters. During rain storms gutter spikes come out when gutters are clogged, filled and weighed down with water. Screws can also snap under the weight of ice, snow or water. This is easily spotted and corrective action should be taken as soon as possible, to avoid further damage.

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  Ice Dam Trapped Water Melting Snow Water backs under shingles and leaks into attic Plaster/Drywall Icicle Formation

   

   

   

• Ice damage occurs when thick snow melts from the bottom where it touches the roof surface because the roof is warmer than the air temperature. The water then freezes in the gutter and on top of the overhang where this ice actually builds up, sometimes to a thickness of as much as a foot or more. Behind this ice dam forms a puddle of water, sometimes several inches deep. This water often leaks inside through spaces between shingles. The short-term remedy is to "cut" some channels in the ice dam to drain the water from behind the ice dam, and to remove the snow off the roof. The long-term remedy, is to properly insulate the attic, make sure the attic has proper ventilation, and also to install ice watch on the horizontal first three feet of the roof under the shingles. Unfortunately, this is a roofing, insulation and ventilation problem. If this ever happens on your house, please call us we might be able to remove the snow and ice off the roof for you, this will buy you some time to remedy the problem for good. Finally, by no means should you ever go up on the snow and ice covered roof yourself!

• Dented downspouts:  Downspouts serve an important function of draining water collected by gutters away from the foundation and should be repaired in a timely manner.  Usually just the dented or crushed section of downspout has to be replaced and is relatively inexpensive. 
• Standing water in gutters can be the result of improperly installed gutters that don't pitch enough so that the water flows towards the downspout. It can also be the result of sagging gutters, which were nailed to the fascia board with gutter spikes, or hidden hangers were used but they were nailed in rather than screwed in. Re-pitching the gutters properly, and reinforcing them with inside hidden hangers and screws can fix this.

For more information or questions, e-mail Gutters@CederbergInc.com

7.  Chimney cover installation with Lifetime Warranty

We exclusively use the highest quality chimney covers.  These stainless steel or copper chimney covers offer exceptional strength, durability and resistance to the harsh elements, and they provide an excellent value to our customers.  

8.  Odd Jobs

Please call or email with inquires regarding handyman or odd job services.  Most of the time we are able to accommodate special requests not related to gutters.  However, gutters are our first priority.  Check out our Photo Gallery for assorted completed jobs. 

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Cederberg Enterprises, Inc. PO Box #5, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 (847) 980-5292