Eavestroughs

Colour Matching Eaves Troughs

The primary function of any home’s eaves are to keep rain water off the walls and to safeguard against water penetration at the junction – where the roof and wall meets.  Additionally, metal troughs are added to the eaves’s roofline to provide an exit for any rainwater, these troughs assure water will be directed away from the house’s foundation. Ideally they’re lined up to release into garden beds or pervious walkways, so the water recycles into the earth. That’s an eco conscience choice I’m proud of. It is now mandatory to disconnect downspouts from the City’s sewage system.

A secondary function of eaves, is to act as a passive solar blind and protection for the roof’s ventilation system. Our house has this type of overhang, it nods to the decorative feature often found in early North American Craftsman tradition.  It’s one of the details that attracted us to this house.

Eaves Overhang

We had scheduled to install new troughs along our eaves because they were damaged in our house fire.  As only our windows and framing are all that is new to the house’s original facade, we choose to colour match the eaves to the windows, which we felt will create a cohesive look.

Our contractor lined up The Tin Man Creative Aluminum and the crew came and custom crafted our troughs onsite.  The “commercial brown” colour compliments our stonework and stucco and the whole look is, as defining,  as well groomed eyebrows on a handsome face.  It’s a well put together look and sure to add valuable curb appeal.

We’re pleased with the professional and non obtrusive nature of the crew and so very grateful the old troughs were taken away.  One less thing for us to worry about.

Eavestroughs are a necessary component to a decent house rebuild and good care maintenance plan. Our homes take care of us, we really ought to provide them with good upkeep.

The Finished Look.

Japanese Knotweed BAD

Japanese Knotweed is an invasive, destructive plant that is banned in Britain.  It’s presence through out England, decreases property values and it has now become illegal to deal with on your own.  Government intervention is actually required.  It is also a problem in Canada. It has been for years.

Here in Toronto, it has been reported about for a few decades.  The City of Toronto & Provincial Government provide information about how to identify and deal with outbreaks of this tenacious plant. Every Gardener knows about it, but every once and awhile a novice gardener will come across it and be charmed by it’s attractiveness.

While we were out of our home during it’s rebuild, a patch started growing along our property boundary.  I knew it was there, but as our elderly neighbour is dead set against allowing us to build a fence, I thought the visual buffer would make a better barrier than nothing at all.   We need privacy and some kind of blockade to prevent the home owner’s adult children from entering our yard.

One morning, from my side only, I removed all stalks of this monster and covered the base of growth – with thick plastic. I’m determined to educate others too.

Later, I heard a rather loud and animated tantrum about the destruction of an entire Bamboo Grove, spewing from the other side of the yard.  Clearly they knew nothing of this plant – hence this posting to inform others.

Japanese Knotweed is not a valuable plant.  It is a recognized invading species that clearly needs more attention,  Unfortunately, it is not a replacement for a honking ten foot fence, but alas a homeowner can dream!   <grin

UPDATE:  In May 2016 more Japanese knotweed seedlings were added to our neighbour’s property, even after information about it’s potential – was provided.

Because it was an act of aggression and also because I was concerned that the growth would become out of control – I contacted the City of Toronto and they visited, explained the dangers of this plant and insisted all Japanese Knotweed to be removed. 

This may very well be, one of the first City of Toronto- Enforced removals of Japanese Knotweed.