Why You Should Clean Your Gutters Before Fall
Clogged Gutters Damage Your Home
There are few things worse than clogged gutters. Why? The costs of repairing damage stemming from clogged gutters far outweigh the cost of simply maintaining them well. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we care about the health of your home.
Clearing away of summer storm debris
If you haven’t had your gutters cleaned before the beginning of fall, now is the time to take action. You’ll want your gutter system clear before the leaves make their way down. Summer storms bring plenty of rainwater and debris, and these storms can also damage your gutters.
Repairing any damage
Regular gutter maintenance will ensure that any damage your gutters incurred will be repaired quickly. If your gutters are damaged, you’ll want them in good shape before the full force of fall brings leaves and added weight to your gutter system. When your gutter system has damage, it’s critical to get the damage taken care of before putting added stress on your gutters–they can only support so much weight before they fail, whether they fail by leaning or even falling down!
Taming the leaves
Your gutters are only functional when water can flow through them. Keeping the leaves at bay is an important objective in fall gutter cleaning. Leaves, once wet, can weigh down your gutters and potentially damage the fascia on the side of your home. An obstructed flow can cause issues like water pooling around the base of your home.
Protect your foundation and home
Your gutters divert water away from your foundation. When water pools at the base of your house, you can incur foundation damage which isn’t easy to repair, and you also run the risk of your basement flooding. Keeping your gutters unobstructed is the best thing you can do to prevent this kind of damage. Additionally, make sure your underground drains aren’t clogged. A clogged underground drain can also lead to flooding your yard and allowing water to pool near your foundation.
Winter is coming: be ready!
As fall fades into winter, you’ll want to be sure that your gutters are clean and in good shape. The cold winter months can bring winds, precipitation and debris into your gutter system. Ice can also cause tree limbs to break and land on your roof. Keeping your gutters in good condition moving into the year’s coldest months will ensure that they don’t get weighed down by additional fall debris remaining in your gutter system once snows fall.
At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we are only a phone call away to help you with all of your gutter needs. Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE QUOTE or CLICK HERE to contact us!
7 Reasons To Install Gutter Guards
As homeowners, we use filters in all sorts of places. Over air return vents. Inside the faucets. In front of the windows. But it’s amazing how many people don’t consider their gutters to be just as vulnerable an area. Gutters are supposed to channel water—and only water. If you let a bunch of other debris fall in, you’ll end up with some ugly and potentially costly results. That’s why gutter guards should be commonplace. Here in western Kentucky, gutter guards are especially important. We have a lot of trees and a lot of rainfall!
Also known as leaf shields or leaf guards, gutter guards block debris from entering your gutter while filtering water away from the roof. Beyond that simple explanation, here are seven reasons why you need to get gutter guards.
1. Immediate Solution – As soon as the gutter guards are in place, your problem, for the most part, is gone. Best of all, it generally only takes Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a day to install gutter guards.
2. Roof Damage – When water backs up in a clogged gutter, roof damage can occur. It’s especially problematic when you’re dealing with snow and ice. A small investment in gutter guards now means avoiding costly roof repairs or replacement later.
3. Protect Your Landscaping – Clogged gutters are almost as bad as having no gutters at all. Just as a home without gutters, clogs will make rainwater spill over the roof line and wash away mulch, break plants, discourage grass growth, and create craters in your yard.
4. Year-Round Defense – Since spring is officially here, western Kentucky gutters can fill up with seed pods, flower petals and the finale of gum balls. When fall arrives, you can look forward to falling leaves. Next comes winter where snow and ice can wreak havoc on clogged gutters.
5. Avoid Fires – Did you know gutters are a top source of house fires? When dry leaves and sticks pile up in an uncovered gutter, it makes perfect kindling. All it takes is someone’s cigarette or bonfire embers to catch on a breeze.
6. Make Your Gutters Last – Clogged gutters eventually mean broken gutters. In many cases, the gutter becomes so heavy with debris, the gutter can pull away from your house—taking part of your trim, siding or shingles with it.
7. Keep Away the Critters – Clogged gutters might look awful to us, but they look GREAT to birds, squirrels and other creatures who are happy to make a home there. Even empty gutters, when left uncovered, can quickly become home to a bird’s nest gutters—and now you have a clog to water flow.
Gutter guards are not perfect, of course. Occasionally tiny seeds and twigs will get in, so you will still need to maintain your gutters with a cleaning every couple of years. But that certainly beats twice-a-year clean outs and the problems that can arise in between. Since the pros outweigh the cons, call the pros at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE ESTIMATE or CLICK HERE to contact us today.
5 Common Causes of Leaky Gutters
Believe it or not, rain gutters play a valuable role in your property as they protect your house from dampness, damaged foundations and garden erosion which leads to costly repairs and thus the devaluation of your home and nobody wants to deal with that kind of issues.
After several years a rain gutter installation can suffer the effects of nature and start showing leakage signs, this will depend on several aspects such as their material, the way they were installed and how frequent the maintenance is performed.
In the market, you can find plenty of gutter materials from copper to vinyl, but some of them are more long-lasting than others so the key is to choose the material that is affordable for you and, at the same time, provides you with superior quality.
Let’s find out the 5 most common causes of leaky gutters explained by our experts at Gutter Boyz:
#1 – Cracks
This issue is very frequent to galvanized steel gutters, especially at the joints. When they are exposed to severe weather changes, they are more likely to crack at seams, braces or gutter nails.
#2 – Holes and Gaps
This is a problem that is very common when metal rain gutters are not frequently maintained and rainwater pooled in some areas along the gutter, rust is build up and, in turn, holes appear, causing severe dampness problems to your house. Gutters clogged by debris for a long time is also a cause for this terrible issue.
#3 – Loose Gutters
Sometimes, when you notice that your gutters have some leaks it may be a consequence of loose hangers. Rain gutters are attached to the fascia board of your roof by gutter hangers, whether internal or external and over time these accessories tend to get sagged especially when they have to deal with the weight of rainwater plus wet debris stuck along the gutter. Rainwater starts seeping through the loosen joints causing the leaks in your gutter system. To solve this problem, Gutter Boyz can remove all the debris and then fasten all the gutter hangers to the fascia board and make sure that all the system is perfectly working.
#4 – Improper Slope
Rain gutters need a slight downward slope to lead the rainwater towards the downspout and continue its way to the outlet on the ground. However, after the installation, everything looks great until it rains, and you notice that the water stays along the gutters forming small pools without reaching the downspout because the gutter is improperly sloped. When this happens, all this pooled water will add more weight to the gutters and will cause them to sag over time so you might notice water dripping from your gutters
#5 – Clogs
Clogs are the most common cause of leaky gutters in both residential and commercial rain gutter systems. When gutters are overlooked, debris from trees and the remains of dead animals build up and form a wet mass that blocks the gutter and pulls it down provoking overflowing. This issue can be prevented as easy as having a regular rain gutter maintenance at least twice a year.
Our Experts’ Advice
- Take care of your rain gutters, they are the best armor that your property has against dampness, erosion, foundation damage, and any other problem related to rainwater. The best and cheapest way to do it is avoiding any of the conditions that cause leaks.
- When it’s time to replace your gutters choose the material that fits your budget and provides you high-quality protection ensuring a long-lasting result. Seamless gutters are a great option. This design creates fewer opportunities for leakage which makes it very demanded by homeowners.
- Do not try to repair leaks by yourself. Remember that experts know best so whenever you notice signs of leaks look for professional help instead of worsening the problem trying to fix it on your own.
- Having leaky gutters, it’s a terrible headache for homeowners because they can make you spend a lot of money on repairs that can be prevented in advance. So be smart and keep your rain gutter system up to date with maintenance and install gutter accessories that help you keep debris away like leaf guards.
Does your rain gutter system have leakage signs? If your answer is yes, you should contact a professional rain gutter company right away. Luckily, at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, with offices in Benton and Paducah, KY are just a call away to help with installing, repairing, maintaining, and advising residential and commercial gutters across Western Kentucky. Call us at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us!
Do I Really Need Gutters?
In our line of work the most common question we hear is “do I even need rain gutters on my home?”
The answer to this question is “yes.”
The following factors should be taken into consideration:
1) Existing Water Diversion / Stream Formation
If water from your roof naturally collects into a couple streams, it’s possible to manage that runoff with water diverters or ground features that keep your foundation safe. That is, if you live in a very dry climate where it seldom rains. If you live in an area where there are regular “heavy rains”, you roof is not capable of diverting the amount of rainwater you receive far enough from your foundation to make it effective.
2) Roof Overhang
We’d suggest that a minimum roof overhang of 6 feet is necessary if you’re considering going without gutters. Remember, the purpose of gutters is to divert water away from the foundation of your home.
3) Ground Slope
Houses are typically built in a manner that gives them some degree of slope intended to divert water away from the foundation. However, on its own this is generally not sufficient to divert enough water to make rain gutters necessary. Assess the natural water flow around your house – if pools of water form near the house, rain gutters are needed.
4) Ground apron and drainage
A concrete or gravel apron can be an effective means of diverting water from the house’s foundation into a drainage system (natural or manmade) however this option is far less practical and more costly that installing gutters on your home.
5) Average Rainfall
A huge factor in whether or not gutters are necessary for obvious reasons. If you live in Southern California, you are definitely toward the lower end of the spectrum where rainfall could be manageable if all of the other factors are also in your favor. However, most regions of the United States receive enough rainfall that gutters are a must.
To sum up, all of the above factors need to be lined up clearly in your favor if you’re considering whether going gutterless is an option. Certainly, none of these on their own are sufficient to make gutters unnecessary.
If you are looking for an expert to answer your questions about gutters, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is here to help. After all, gutters are all we do! Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us.
Why Gutter Maintenance Is Essential In Western Kentucky
When it comes to home maintenance, gutters often don’t get the attention they deserve. However, in Kentucky, where weather patterns can be as unpredictable as they are extreme, keeping your gutters in top shape is not just a good idea—it’s essential. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we understand the unique demands that the Bluegrass State places on your home’s gutter system. Here’s why regular gutter maintenance should be at the top of your home care checklist.
1. Preventing Water Damage
Kentucky’s weather can swing from heavy rainstorms to snow and ice, placing a significant load on your gutters. When gutters are clogged or damaged, they can’t effectively channel rainwater away from your home. This can lead to water spilling over the sides, which often results in water damage to your roof, siding, and even your foundation. Regular maintenance ensures that gutters are clear of debris and functioning properly, helping to protect your home from costly water damage.
2. Avoiding Costly Repairs
Ignoring gutter maintenance can lead to more serious issues down the road. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up, leading to leaks and potentially serious structural damage. Over time, this can result in expensive repairs or even replacements of sections of your gutter system. By investing in regular cleaning and inspections, you can catch and address minor issues before they escalate into major, costly problems.
3. Protecting Your Home’s Foundation
One of the most critical roles of your gutter system is to direct water away from your home’s foundation. In Kentucky, where rainfall can be intense and frequent, properly functioning gutters are crucial for preventing water from pooling around the foundation. Standing water can erode soil, cause cracks, and eventually compromise the stability of your home. Regular maintenance helps ensure that gutters are effectively managing runoff and protecting your foundation from water damage.
4. Preventing Pest Infestations
Debris-filled gutters are more than just a maintenance headache—they can also be a breeding ground for pests. Standing water and organic material in gutters create an inviting environment for insects such as mosquitoes, ants, and even rodents. By keeping your gutters clean, you reduce the likelihood of these unwanted guests setting up camp near your home.
5. Enhancing Curb Appeal
Clogged, overflowing gutters are not just a functional issue; they can also detract from your home’s appearance. Water stains on siding, rust on gutters, and overflowing debris can make even the most beautiful homes look unkempt. Regular maintenance keeps your gutters looking pristine and helps maintain your home’s curb appeal.
6. Maintaining Roof Health
Your gutters play a crucial role in protecting your roof. When gutters are clogged, water can back up and seep under shingles, leading to potential roof damage and leaks. This can shorten the lifespan of your roof and necessitate premature replacement. Regular gutter maintenance helps keep water flowing correctly and preserves the health of your roof.
7. Preparing for Kentucky Weather
Kentucky’s weather can be unpredictable, with everything from sudden downpours to heavy snowfalls. Regular maintenance ensures that your gutters are prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at them. Whether it’s removing leaves and branches or checking for ice dams in the winter, keeping up with gutter care helps your home stay resilient in the face of diverse weather conditions.
Get Professional Help from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky
While there are many DIY solutions available, nothing beats the expertise of professionals who understand the specific needs of Kentucky homes. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we provide thorough gutter cleaning, inspection, and repair services to ensure your home remains protected year-round. Our team is equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle any gutter issue, large or small, ensuring that your gutters are always in top condition.
Don’t wait until you see the signs of gutter trouble. Schedule regular maintenance with Gutter Boyz of Kentucky by calling (270) 906-3055 and keep your home safe, efficient, and looking its best. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you maintain the health of your gutters. Your home will thank you!
Four Reasons To Have Gutter Boyz Install Gutter Guards On Your Home
Gutter guards, like those installed by Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, offer several benefits for homeowners. Here are four compelling reasons to consider having them installed:
- Prevent Clogs and Debris Buildup: Gutter guards act as a barrier that keeps leaves, twigs, and other debris out of your gutters. By preventing clogs and buildup, they ensure that rainwater can flow freely through your gutters and downspouts. This reduces the need for frequent gutter cleaning and minimizes the risk of water damage to your home’s foundation and roof.
- Extended Gutter Lifespan: Gutter guards protect your gutters from the wear and tear caused by debris accumulation and excess moisture. By reducing the exposure to these elements, your gutters can last longer, saving you money on potential repairs or replacements.
- Improved Home Maintenance: Installing gutter guards means less time and effort spent on gutter cleaning and maintenance. This allows you to focus on other essential tasks and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your gutters are functioning efficiently, even during heavy rain or snowy conditions.
- Pest Prevention: Clogged gutters can become a breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes, rodents, and insects. Gutter guards serve as a barrier that deters these unwanted visitors from making a home in your gutters. By keeping your gutters clean and dry, you can reduce the risk of pest infestations around your home.
Overall, having gutter guards installed by Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can help protect your home, save you time and money, and ensure that your gutters remain in optimal condition year-round.
Ready for a FREE ESTIMATE? Give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call today at (270) 906-3055.
How Gutters Contribute to Energy Efficiency
Gutters are more than just channels that redirect rainwater; they are integral to protecting your home and enhancing its energy efficiency. Functioning as a frontline defense, a well-designed gutter system, such as the offerings from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, effectively directs rainwater away from your home’s foundation. This not only prevents potential issues like mold, rot, and structural damage but also plays a key role in preserving the energy efficiency of your residence.
The significance of gutters in managing water runoff cannot be overstated. In the absence of a proper gutter system, rainwater can infiltrate the soil around your home, leading to problems like mold growth and wood rot. Mold not only poses health risks but also affects indoor air quality, potentially increasing the need for energy-consuming ventilation and air purification systems. Additionally, wood rot compromises the structural components of your home, impacting insulation and resulting in increased energy consumption by heating and cooling systems.
Gutter Boyz of Kentucky understands the importance of effective water management. Their high-quality gutter systems act as a preventative measure against these issues, channeling rainwater away from the foundation and preserving the structural integrity of your home. Beyond this, well-maintained gutters protect the exterior, preserving paint, siding, and other materials that contribute not only to the overall energy efficiency but also the visual appeal of your residence.
When it comes to preserving the energy efficiency of your home, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky offers more than just gutter solutions; they provide a proactive approach to maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient living environment. Invest in their high-quality gutter systems to experience the full spectrum of benefits, from protecting against water damage to enhancing the overall energy efficiency of your home.
For all of your gutter needs in Western Kentucky, we hope you will call Gutter Boyz of Kentucky at (270) 906-3055. Get your FREE ESTIMATE today!
Time For New Gutters?
Gutters are a critical component of a home’s drainage system, and like many exterior features, they’re subject to wear and damage. An important item on your spring maintenance checklist should be to examine and clean out the gutters. Regular cleaning and maintenance will go a long way toward getting the maximum lifespan out of your gutters.
If, however, your gutters are showing signs of severe wear—cracks, holes, and leaks, for example—or if they’re sagging or pulling away from the house or have numerous missing, loose, or bent fasteners, it may be time to look into replacement gutters. Experts like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky often point out that water damage to the roof, fascia board, decking, or rafters is a sure sign that gutters are due for replacement. Most ordinary gutters last about 10 to 15 years. Dangerous water leaks and overflows can cause tremendous damage to a home, sometimes before homeowners are even aware of the problem.
There are many types and styles of gutters on the market today, with the primary materials being aluminum, copper, steel, galvanized steel, zinc, and vinyl. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we primarily utilize aluminum for our seamless gutter systems. Aluminum is the most prevalent gutter material and offers several advantages over other types. Aluminum is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and available in a wide range of colors—and it’s also often the least expensive option. Aluminum gutters offer the best combination of style, durability, and price.
When the time comes for you to replace the gutters on your home or business, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. We will be happy to discuss all of the options available to you. For a FREE estimate, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call at (270) 906-3055. With offices in Paducah and Benton, KY, we serve all of Western Kentucky with the highest quality gutters available.
Why Seamless Gutters
Curious about seamless gutters? Well, you’re not alone. We hear this question often. Our customers ask: What are they? What are the advantages? How are seamless gutters different from regular gutters?
Since we are experts in seamless gutters, we love sharing our knowledge and experience with others. In 2013, we were working as a general contractor in residential construction. We soon found out that finding a reliable, honest gutter installation company was no easy task. After several weeks of searching, we decided to purchase the necessary machinery and equipment and started a new company that specialized in gutter repair, service and installation. It didn’t take long for the word to get out about our quality work. So, we slowly phased out of the construction side of our business and went strictly to gutters. Each year we help more and more home and business owners invest in seamless gutters, especially once they learn about the benefits of this amazing product.
So, welcome to Seamless Gutters 101! Below are answers to some of the most common questions we get about our seamless rain gutters:
Q: What benefits do seamless gutters offer over standard gutters?
A: To begin, no seams means no leaks. This helps ensure that water is carried away from your home reducing excessive water infiltration around your foundation or into your basement. Our seamless design also helps maintain the strength and integrity of the gutter system so expansion, contraction, freezing and strong winds have little or no impact on our seamless steel gutter.
And it looks great, too! Gutter Boyz of Kentucky custom cuts our gutters for an exact fit, blending perfectly with the soffit and fascia of your home. Lower-grade gutter systems often end up looking like an after-thought, literally tacked on to the eaves of a home. Our system integrates precisely with the existing structure. The result? A gutter that can actually enhance the curb appeal and value of your home.
Q: How will you attach the rain gutters to my home?
A: We use an exclusive “heavy” steel hanger that tightly secures the gutter to your home. This system is virtually invisible. Not only does this unique steel gutter hanger enhance the seamless look of our rain gutters, it is also considerably stronger than the spike and ferrule system used to attach light-weight aluminum gutters. And to secure our hangers, we use screws instead of nails. Screws are much less susceptible to coming loose when gutters are exposed to snow, ice, and heavy winds.
Q: In what colors are your seamless rain gutters available?
A: Chances are, we’ve got your color! Our palette includes all of the most popular gutter colors (and many others), so your gutter system can coordinate with the look and color of your home. This can give your home a beautiful “face lift” to enhance its visual appeal and overall value.
Gutter Boyz of KY is here to help you with all of your gutter needs. Yes, we install new gutter systems but we can also help save money and prevent costly damage to your home with gutter repairs, gutter guards and gutter cleaning. Give Gutter Boyz of KY a call today at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE quote today.
Maintaining Curb Appeal with Well-Kept Gutters
When it comes to enhancing the curb appeal of your home, many homeowners focus on landscaping, exterior paint, and architectural details. However, one often-overlooked aspect that plays a significant role in your home’s overall appearance is the gutter system. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we understand that well-kept gutters not only protect your home from water damage but also contribute significantly to its aesthetic appeal. Here’s how maintaining your gutters can elevate the look of your home and tips to keep them in top shape.
Why Gutters Matter for Curb Appeal
- First Impressions Count Gutters run along the roofline and are one of the first things people notice about your home. Clean, well-maintained gutters indicate a well-cared-for property, making a positive first impression on visitors and potential buyers.
- Prevent Water Damage Properly functioning gutters prevent water from cascading down the sides of your home, which can cause unsightly stains, damage to siding, and erosion around the foundation. Avoiding these issues keeps your home looking pristine.
- Enhance Architectural Details Gutters can enhance the architectural details of your home. Choosing the right style and color of gutters can complement your home’s design, whether you have a classic colonial, a modern ranch, or a charming Victorian.
- Add to Your Home’s Value Potential buyers often appreciate the less obvious aspects of home maintenance. Demonstrating that your gutters are in excellent condition can be a selling point, adding to your home’s value.
Tips for Keeping Gutters in Top Shape
- Regular Cleaning Clean your gutters at least twice a year, typically in the spring and fall. Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris that can clog the system. This simple task can prevent a host of problems, from sagging gutters to water damage.
- Inspect for Damage Regularly inspect your gutters for signs of damage, such as rust, holes, or sagging sections. Promptly repairing these issues will keep your gutters functioning properly and looking good.
- Install Gutter Guards Consider installing gutter guards to reduce the amount of debris that enters your gutters. These guards can save you time on cleaning and help maintain the efficiency of your gutter system.
- Ensure Proper Drainage Make sure your downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Poor drainage can lead to water pooling around your home, causing damage and detracting from your home’s appearance.
- Repaint or Replace Over time, gutters can fade or rust, diminishing their visual appeal. Repainting or replacing old gutters can give your home a fresh, updated look. Choose a color that complements your home’s exterior for a cohesive appearance.
- Professional Maintenance Hiring professionals for regular maintenance and inspections can ensure that your gutters are always in top condition. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we offer comprehensive gutter services to keep your system running smoothly and looking great.
Local Expertise from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky
Maintaining the curb appeal of your home is an ongoing task, and well-kept gutters play a crucial role in this effort. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we’re dedicated to helping you protect and beautify your home with our expert gutter services. From cleaning and repairs to installation and replacement, we provide tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of Kentucky homeowners.
Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 to learn more about our services and how we can help you maintain the curb appeal of your home with top-quality gutter maintenance. Let’s work together to keep your home looking its best, one gutter at a time.