Should a Tree Stump Be Removed?

If you ask the professionals at Blue Ring Residential Services, the answer is yes.

A tree stump is what remains of a tree after it has fallen or been cut down. It’s big, thick and may be an overwhelming chore to get rid of. Many homeowners choose to keep them around for a while, but here are seven good reasons why we recommend you have them removed:

1. Aesthetics. If you are meticulous about your yard, you will probably not like how a tree stump looks in it.
2. Safety. Children can trip over them and fall, or fall, hitting the stump on the way down.
3. Lawnmower damage. Stumps create a hazardous obstacle to mow around, often causing damage to the lawnmower.
4. Disease. Similar to dead trees, stumps can spread disease and attract pests such as wasps, hornets, bees and termites, which can spread to other trees and your home.
5. Root growth. The stump’s roots grow over time and can crack or lift foundations, driveways, sidewalks and other surfaces.
6. New, unwanted growth. Tree stumps can give off new shoots, which will require constant trimming to keep them from taking over your yard.
7. It takes away from the landscaping you do want. Not only is a tree stump unattractive, but it also absorbs nutrients your other plants need.

Removing trees and stumps is time consuming, labor intensive and dangerous. Hiring a professional tree removal service is a safe and practical way to clear your yard of unwanted trees and stumps.

At Blue Ring Residential Services, we will evaluate the health of each of your trees, examine the stumps, and recommend the best course of action. Whether it’s pruning, trimming, or the complete removal of the trees and stumps, we are here to help. Call us today at 614-633-6770 to schedule an appointment!

Downspouts & Gutters: Why You Need to Keep Them Clean

Gutters and downspouts play an important part in protecting your home. They are designed to reroute water away from your home and foundation for proper drainage.

But maintaining the gutters and downspouts on your home is something that is often overlooked. Perhaps it’s because we can’t easily see the roofline from ground level, and are unaware that the gutters have become clogged with sticks and debris. We may not even know we have a problem until we notice watermarks on the house, or waterfalls pouring off the roof during a rainstorm. At that point, damage may have already been done.

Blue Ring Residential Services recommends you have your home’s gutters and downspouts professionally cleaned twice a year, in the spring and the fall. Keeping them free from debris will prevent the following problems:

• Water spilling over the side of your house, damaging paint, siding or stucco
• Long icicles in the cold temperatures
• Leaves and debris soak up rainwater and melted snow like a sponge. They become heavy, causing your gutters to break away from the roofline
• Trapped frozen water can work its way under your shingles, causing roof, fascia or soffit damage
• It can damage or ruin the foundation of your home
• Water that can’t be rerouted will find its way into your walls and ceilings
• It can destroy landscaping
• Debris can become a comfortable home to mosquitos, birds and other insects
• It’s expensive to repair falling gutters and anything they may damage on their way down

 Unnecessary damage to your home can be avoided by being proactive. For more information about cleaning gutters and downspouts, or to schedule a free estimate, contact Blue Ring Residential Services at 614-633-6770.