When will you need a gutter replacement? This depends on several factors.

Estimated Lifespan

Galvanized steel and aluminum gutters, the most common type of gutters, have an average lifespan of 20 years, while copper gutters, a more high-end option, can last up to 50 years. You should keep a detailed record of gutter inspections, maintenance and repair, as this will help you determine when it’s time to plan for gutter replacement.

Frequency of Maintenance

Keep in mind the estimated lifespan of a gutter system can be drastically reduced by improper or irregular maintenance. Regardless of how durable a gutter system is, it needs to be cleaned regularly.

Gutter Guards

Unfortunately, not a lot of homeowners have the time for tedious but essential tasks like gutter cleaning. One way of reducing your gutter’s maintenance requirements is by installing gutter covers. These devices help prevent leaves and other kinds of organic debris from entering and clogging your gutters. If you want to know more about Gutter Guards, be sure to give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky.

Climate

Climate is another factor that can affect your gutters’ lifespan. For instance, we get a lot of rain here in western Kentucky in the spring. If gutters are clogged, they will have problems that will lead to a shorter lifespan. Cold climates can be harsh on your exterior, and your gutters are no exception. Of the numerous problems homes in cold climates face, ice dams can be one of the most problematic. That’s because ice deposited near the edges of your roof and gutters prevent snowmelt from draining, causing water to back up and possibly make its way under the shingles. Here is Western Kentucky, ice dams is not a frequent problem, however it can happen when the conditions are right.

Gutter Installation

Even the most durable gutter system won’t last long if it’s not installed properly. For instance, water can pool in a gutter system with an incorrect pitch. Not only can stagnant water attract disease-carrying pests such as mosquitoes, but it also creates a damp environment that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. That’s why the quality of the gutter installation is so important.

The Warning Signs

Of course, only an experienced gutter contractor like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can give you an accurate estimate of your gutter’s remaining lifespan. We start our assessment by looking for the warning signs of gutter damage. These include:

Overflowing rainwater – Leaves, pine needles, twigs and other kinds of organic debris are the usual culprits behind rainwater overflowing from your gutters. Other times, the capacity of your gutters might be to blame. If your gutters don’t have enough capacity to handle the amount of rainfall your area receives, rainwater will inevitably overflow. You need to install a gutter system with a bigger capacity as soon as possible. Otherwise, the overflowing water might seep into your home’s foundation.

Nails or broken fasteners on the ground – If your gutters can’t handle the combined weight of rainwater and accumulated debris, nails and broken fasteners might start to give in and fall to the ground.

Sagging gutters – If the fasteners don’t give in under the added weight load, sections of your gutters might. The problem with gutters that start to pull away from your exterior is that they impede the flow of water. Due to the gutters’ tilted angle, water can get trapped in sections of your gutters, increasing the risk of mold and pest infestations.

Gutter leaks – In some cases, your gutters might give in completely. Under added weight load, sections of your gutters might start to pull apart at the seams, creating leaks. This is less of a concern with seamless gutters. Spotting a gutter leak should be easy enough on a rainy day. You should also watch out for signs of moisture damage, such as a rotting fascia board (the long wooden board the gutters are attached to), water stains inside your home (the first signs of roof water damage usually appear in your attic) or puddles near the downspouts or your siding.

Dents – Tiny dents and cracks might not seem like a significant issue now, but wear and tear can widen cracks and deepen dents, eventually causing leaks. It’s best to address relatively minor issues before they worsen, potentially affecting other parts of your home.

Rust – Rust usually appears at the bottom of aging gutters, although peeling paint is the usual cause of rust. That’s because it leaves sections of your gutters exposed to the elements.

Keep in mind that most of the time, the warning signs of gutter damage are subtle and easy to miss. As such, the only way to know if your gutters are in good condition is to have an experienced contractor inspect and maintain them.

Choosing a Gutter System That Will Last
If you need to replace your gutters, it’s important to choose a system that’s suited to your area’s climate. Remember: when making an investment, always do your research.

Why Choose Aluminum Gutters

There’s a reason why aluminum gutters are the most popular gutter type on the market. Aluminum is lightweight but durable, being able to resist corrosion. Plus, aluminum gutters are available in a wide variety of colors.

Why Seamless Gutters

You might also want to consider installing seamless gutters. Since they lack joints—a weak point in conventional gutter systems—they last longer than standard gutter systems.

One more thing: only qualified contractors should install your gutters. Always vet a contractor before hiring them. Here’s a vetting tip: the number of years a contractor has been working in the industry should give you a good idea of their level of expertise.

If you find yourself in need of new gutters, gutter cleaning, gutter repairs or gutter guards, give us a call at (270) 906-3055. We will be happy to give you a FREE ESTIMATE.

When asked, one of people’s least favorite chores is cleaning the gutters. It’s scary climbing a ladder and the disgusting things that you find up there can be haunting. That’s why most people put off cleaning their gutters. It’s a hassle and frankly, most of us have the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. But the truth is the gutter is the life blood of your home.

It has been said that if you start to feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated; similarly, by the time you notice that your gutters need to be cleaned, the damage has already begun to set in. Gutters are often called the silent killer because by the time a homeowner realizes there is a problem, it’s too late. Let’s look at the four ways clogged gutters can damage your home.

Landscaping

If you take pride in your house, chances are you care about your lawn and flower beds. The most common enemy of a beautiful landscape is flooding. Gutter cleaning services can keep your property safe from standard rain storm flooding by enabling proper drainage. Functioning gutters allow you to direct the drainage stream wherever you need to so that water does not ruin your lawns, drown your flowers, wash away your hedges, or erode an expensive lawn statue.

Critters

One of the more popular nesting places for animals and bugs is in your gutters. Gutters, of course, catch water and if they clog it will become a trough for animals. Rodents can chew into drywall, gnaw on important wires, and fill your home with droppings. From carpenter ants to termites and potato bugs, there are a wide variety of material-eating insects that you want nowhere near your home. Wasps’ nests, mosquitoes and spiders can threaten your family’s safety and provide a serious scare too. Consistently clean gutters will prevent any unwanted pests from making your life miserable. Unobstructed, free-flowing gutters will wash away any pests that are trying to settle in.

Wood

A typical problem with gutters is that when they clog the water can run down the sides of your house. The purpose of gutters is to prevent this from happening because the water can seep into wood frames on doors and windows. The other issue is flooding. Flooding will wreak havoc on all of your exposed wood surfaces. Decks are prime selling-points in the realty market, but some people worry about the upkeep that these ultimate recreational spots demand. Wooden decks, doors, and fascia alike add a beautiful aesthetic to the home.

Foundation

The most important part of your home is the foundation. If you have had the misfortune of living through a cracked foundation, you definitely don’t want to go through that nightmare again. Cracked foundations threaten the structural integrity of your entire home. If you noticed clogged gutters freezing up over the winter months, now is the time to handle it. Having clean gutters is an extremely reasonable investment that can save you tens of thousands in repairs.

It’s amazing how something so simple can be so destructive. Our homes are designed to withstand a lot, but there is a balance that needs to be maintained. Gutters are certainly part of that maintenance. Don’t let this silent killer destroy your home.

Whether you have clogged gutters, need to have your gutters repaired or are looking for new gutters, Contact at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky by calling us at (270) 906-3055. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky serves a majority of western Kentucky. Contact us today for your FREE ESTIMATE.

Slab homes are a fairly common choice for homeowners, no matter their location and social standing. On top of being visually pleasing, slab homes give a sense of stability that’s very appealing in a living space. This has led many people to believe that a home with a slab foundation can stay upright without a rain guttering system in place, but do slab homes need gutters? If you’re thinking “I should check with a rain gutter installer near me, before ruling out the option”, you’re on the right track. The truth is that slab homes are in fact not immune to the gradual damage that is so common in a rainy environment, and this turns rain gutters into an important long-term investment.

Slab Homes and Rain Gutters

When we talk about slab homes, we refer to houses built on a slab foundation. A slab foundation is meant to sustain a home’s weight and improve a building’s drainage system, while also serving as a sort of cushion that leaves no space below the floor for pests to crawl through. To fulfill these purposes, slab foundations are generally 4″–6″ thick in the center and 24″ around the edges. They are generally made of concrete but can be built with other materials in areas prone to freezing temperatures.

Since slab foundations are placed directly on the ground and leave no crawlspace in between, these types of homes have no basement that could risk flooding during the rainy season.

So does your slab foundation home need gutters? The short answer is a resounding yes. Rain gutters have many other purposes, for one, and slabs homes are no less vulnerable to damage. A slab foundation on its own will do nothing to prevent flooding, corrosion, soil erosion, and other types of structural problems. A proper rain guttering system is the most effective way to protect slab foundations and save you money down the line. The rain gutters would catch the water rolling from the roofs before it reaches your foundations and redirect it away from your home’s premises. There’d be fewer chances for cracks to form because the water would get no way of pooling around your foundations and your soil.

Slab Foundation Issues

Most of the problems you will encounter usually become evident through cracks in your slab foundation. Without seamless rain gutters, there’s nothing to stop the rainwater from pooling around your house and wearing down its foundations, causing cracks and eventually rotting the concrete as it absorbs all the water. Summing things up, foundation damage can occur from any of the following reasons:

Water eating away the concrete: This is the most obvious cause of cracks in your foundations. The water accumulated during each rainstorm will cause moisture buildup around your foundations and gradually wear them down, prompting the appearance of cracks.

Soil erosion: One thing that both slab foundations and basements have in common is that they’re both build from the ground level, and the lack of gutters will affect the ground bellow and around them in equal measure. As more water seeps into the soil, the ground will grow softer and less stable. In turn, your foundations will become uneven, to the point of causing a potential collapse.

Expansion and contraction: These result from combining the moisture caused by rainwater with high temperatures that are bound to expand your foundations until they crack. The thermal expansion will affect the integrity of your foundations as a whole. While you can’t prevent the temperature variations in your soil, you can keep the dampness away from your foundations after redirecting the water to a safe area.

After the cracks begin to show, all the problems mentioned above will become all the more apparent because there’ll be fewer barriers preventing the water from seeping into your foundations. At this point, even after setting up a rain guttering system, you’ll need to perform repairs on the foundations themselves to avoid damage coming to other parts of your home.

Slab foundations provide various benefits in terms of functionality and affordability, but many of their signature features are also what makes them so prone to cracking when there’s no rain guttering system in place.

Rain gutters are the best way to protect your foundations and prevent major structural damage. A professional gutter installation service from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky will make your gutters fit your home’s layout and keep your foundations (as well as your sidings and soil) safe through all types of weather changes.

For more information or to request a FREE ESTIMATE, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today! Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is pleased to serve all of Paducah, KY and the surrounding counties in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.

Did you know that rain can fall as fast as 20 miles per hour?  Large amounts of rain can also be an issue for your home. Too much and you can easily have flooding, which can overwhelm the drainage systems.

Fortunately, our homes have something that protects us from rainfall – the gutters. Ultimately, their job is to divert water off the roof and away from the house.

If anything, they are a vital part of the roofing system. As such, it only makes sense that you’d want to maintain the gutters on a regular basis.  In fact, everyone should be doing summer gutter maintenance.  Want to know why? If so, be sure to keep reading!

1. Debris Tends to Accumulate
It’s not uncommon for rain gutters to get clogged with sticks, leaves, or other debris. Too much gunk and it can lead to a leaky roof. Considering this, you always want to make sure that it’s free of debris. The last thing that you want is to have it filled with remnants of last fall. 

2. It’s a Good Time to Remove Nests
Some birds, like to build their nests in gutters.  This can be quite a serious issue as they can cause blockages, which would lead to drainage issues, among other problems. Fortunately, most of them would have left their nests by the summer months—this makes them much easier to remove.

3. Prepare Yourself for Summer Storms
Rainstorms are fairly common during the summer. Not only do they bring large amounts of rain, but they’re often accompanied by high winds. These winds can easily blow debris such as leaves or sticks onto your gutter. Cleaning them out before that would help to prevent blockages that can otherwise damage your home.
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4. It’s Easier to Install New Equipment
The summer months tend to be dryer compared to the other parts of the year. In other words, it’s a great time to install new downspouts or gutters. Want to prevent fall leaves from accumulating in the gutter? If so, you might want to consider installing gutter guards. 

5. It Will Protect Your Roof
With proper gutter maintenance, you’ll not only be equipped to handle the rain, but you’ll also be protecting your roof as well. When the gutter is backed up, water can easily leak through and damage your roof shingles. By keeping them clean, you won’t have to worry about this problem.

6. It Allows You to Check for Damage
It will be easier to look for damage once you’ve cleaned off the gutter. For instance, you may notice areas that have holes or are rusted.

Whether you need your gutters cleaned, gutter repair, gutter guards or new gutters, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can help. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is the leading gutter company in Western Kentucky. For a FREE ESTIMATE, give us a call at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today!

Homeowners need to be informed when buying a homeowners insurance policy. So, in the event that storm damage occurs to your home, you know what your policy covers. Hail, tree and wind damage are common during severe storm events. These damages most commonly effect your home’s roof and gutter system.

Luckily, most homeowners’ insurance policies typically cover wind damage and storm related damage. If a strong storm moves through with hail, wind-driven rain, or snow wrecking havoc on your home’s exterior, or gets inside a roof or wall, knowing your policy’s coverage can make a huge difference. Especially when moving forward with the repair work that is necessary. If you also have fallen trees that damage your home, tree removal service may be a part of the policy coverage too.

Insurance companies get flooded with calls after storms. They hear how much does insurance pay for hail damage often. When storm damage reports are high, contractor availability is low. Often times insurance companies are referring out contractors to do the claim work that aren’t niche in their respected industry.

However, as a homeowner you should know you have options. You can hire your own contractors for jobs like roofing, gutter systems, siding, etc. You should be able to speak with and choose the contractor that is best for your needs for all damages. Rather than letting someone else subcontract the jobs out. Addressing storm damage with a professional team should take on the same approach as any other hiring experience would. Work with competent, skilled, insured contractors.

Who Does Your Work Matters

When you hire a general contractor, it is common practice that the GC will hire out sub-contractors to do additional projects for them. Typically, the cheapest subs are hired, and those with more experience aren’t often called because they can come with a higher price tag. And the same is common when you go through your insurance carrier to find contractors to outsource the repairs to.

But, when you take researching into your own hands, you can apply your best efforts in finding the best available contractor for your repairs. Here at the Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we know the importance of professionalism, competency, and the value of a job well done. We also only do gutters, allowing us to perfect and focus on our craft in our niche market.

If you find yourself in need of new gutters or gutter repair, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call at (270) 906-3055 OR CLICK HERE for a FREE ESTIMATE.

Gutters are an important part of your home’s infrastructure – they’re the keystone to the survival of your home. They protect your home’s foundation by channeling water away from its base. They also prevent erosion. So not having gutters is not an option, but neither is having clogged ones. But cleaning gutters can be an annoying and dangerous task.

A lot of homeowners opt for gutter guards. Gutter guards are designed to keep debris and animals out of your gutters, while keeping the water flowing away from the house. We could spend several paragraphs debating which guard is best, but shouldn’t the real question be “Should I even get gutter guards?”

First let’s talk about the pros:

• They can be fitted to any existing gutter. Installation is often quick and can be placed or attached to your existing gutters.
• They really do prevent birds and rodents from nesting. A common problem with gutters is that they are a natural habitat for pests.
• You won’t need to clean your gutters as often. Guards will keep your gutters clean for longer.
• By preventing clogs stagnant water is eliminated. Mosquitos and other annoying bugs love stagnant water for breeding.
• Guards can prolong the life of your gutters by preventing premature rusting. Nothing destroys metal more than water soaked debris.

Gutter Boyz of Kentucky are your locally owned professionals for all things gutter related. We serve Paducah, KY and all the surrounding counties. If gutter guards are something you have an interest in, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky for a FREE ESTIMATE today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us!

You have heard the saying before, “April showers bring May flowers.” Rain showers are inevitable. If you want to prepare for all of the spring showers, gutters should be at the top of your list.

Your home should have a good gutter system as a way of dealing with the water as it comes down.

Why Do Gutters Matter?

There are a lot of benefits to having gutters installed on your home. You will be able to avoid foundation problems because of guiding the water away from the home. It will also keep the soil around your home stabilized. As such, you can also prevent flooding under the house as well as in a basement.

If you have ever noticed water damage to the side of your home, this can be prevented with gutter installation as well. You will also be able to reduce water staining on brick and stone masonry and prevent cracks in sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Additionally, garage doors and exterior doors can be preserved more effectively.

Get Gutters Installed

Properly installed gutters from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky will ensure you have a system to deal with rainfall based on the shape of your home as well as how water runs based on the pitch of the roof and the slope of your land. Seamless gutters will be on the edge of every sloped roof.

The downspouts will terminate away from the foundation of your home. Typically, there will be at least a three-foot diversion from your home. It will ensure that the water flows away from your home as well as landscaping so you don’t have to deal with puddles and ponding.

Gutter Maintenance

It is important to understand that there will be some gutter maintenance to be done on your part. You will want to keep them clean so that they remain in working order. Leaves, weeds, grass, and more can accumulate in your gutters.

By cleaning them out, you can avoid water damming, leaks, mosquitoes breeding in the area, and eventual failure of the gutters. Since you want your gutters to last a long time and do their intended job, you simply have to keep them clean or hire a gutter cleaning service like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky to come out once or twice a year.

The next time it rains, you don’t have to be frustrated that you have a leak in your basement or that your mulch has gotten washed away yet again. Sheets of rain shouldn’t come off of your roof by any of your doors, either. Gutters will make it much more bearable to deal with the rain. Plus, it will be a great maintenance tool to keep your home safe from such things as floods, mold, stagnant water, and issues with your foundation. You might be surprised by just what an impact gutters can make on your home.

Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE ESTIMATE from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky serves Paducah Kentucky and the surrounding counties.

If you live in Western Kentucky, we have already seen more than our fair share of spring rain. Plants need water to grow, but sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. A proper gutter system will have a downspout for stormwater runoff. However, if you have a garden in this exact same spot, then your precious flowers will be flooded and eventually die. So, what can you do to protect your garden from stormwater runoff? Here are a few tips:

INSTALL DOWNSPOUT EXTENDERS
Downspout extenders are exactly as they sound. They can be attached to your current downspouts to extend them further away from their current place. As such, they help force the stormwater moving through your downspout further away from your garden bed.

USE A RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
Rainwater collection systems take the water that moves through your gutters and stores it for later use. Not only will this protect your garden from being flooded during a harsh storm, but it will also save you money on your water bills. Plus, rainwater (when it’s not flooding your garden) is more beneficial to plants than groundwater. This is because rainwater has fewer pollutants, making your plants healthier in the long run.

REMOVE PAVEMENT FROM AROUND THE GARDEN
Pavement can worsen flooding, as it prevents water from seeping into the ground. If you have a concrete path or sidewalk along your garden bed, consider replacing it with stone, gravel, or wood chips. These allow water to flow into the ground more easily than with concrete.\

For more information on installing the proper gutter system for your home, CONTACT US at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. Whether you need new gutters, gutter repair, gutter cleaning or gutter guards, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is the only call you need to make. You can reach us at (270) 906-3055! Gutter Boyz of Kentucky serves a majority of Western Kentucky.

When people think of gutter cleaning or replacement, they often view it in terms of how much money it will cost them to do it. But they don’t realize the potential cost savings that well-maintained gutters provide for a homeowner. Here are five examples of how gutters actually save you money.

1. Foundation repair. This is the mother-of-all repair costs that a homeowner wants to avoid. Without a properly-working gutter, rainwater tumbles down to the base of the home near the foundation. Over time, the excessive moisture can cause the foundation to buckle, crack, or shift. Foundation repair bills rarely come in under $5,000 and can run as high is $40,000 – and it’s nearly impossible to sell a house that has a compromised foundation.
2. Flooded basements. If that runoff water collects near your basement, it tends to find a way inside through wall spaces or windows (path of least resistance). Then it can start doing some real damage – to your basement walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture, and appliances. Those costs could run as high as $10,000 – after you shell out up to $5,000 to have the standing water pumped out and your basement dried out.
3. Flooded landscaping. That beautifully-ornate landscaping near your home? It can dissolve or be washed away if enough runoff water is permitted to fall into it. If you pay a landscaping service to repair it, you’re looking at a bill that could run  up to $7,000 in some cases. But no amount of money will replace the hard work and sweat that you spent getting the landscaping just the way you wanted it.
4. Exterior damage. If your gutters are either clogged or leaking, the water may start to seep out of them and into your home’s exterior. That could lead to rotting fascia boards and siding, as well as peeling or chipping paint. To fix these problems, you’ll need to replace the decaying wood and/or repaint areas of your home – which could cost you as much as $5,000.
5. Mold and Mildew. Water that is misdirected may not stop at your home’s exterior. If moisture penetrates your roofline or your basement, it could seep into your ceilings, attic, or crawl spaces and facilitate the growth of mildew and mold. It only takes several days for these toxic substances to form, and it’ll cost up to $3,000 to eradicate this health hazard.

Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can help you save money! For all of your gutter needs give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky serves most of Western Kentucky!

You have heard the saying before, “April showers bring May flowers.” Rain showers are inevitable. If you want to prepare for all of the spring showers, gutters should be at the top of your list.

Your home should have a good gutter system as a way of dealing with the water as it comes down.

Why Do Gutters Matter?

There are a lot of benefits to having gutters installed on your home. You will be able to avoid foundation problems because of guiding the water away from the home. It will also keep the soil around your home stabilized. As such, you can also prevent flooding under the house as well as in a basement.

If you have ever noticed water damage to the side of your home, this can be prevented with gutter installation as well. You will also be able to reduce water staining on brick and stone masonry and prevent cracks in sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Additionally, garage doors and exterior doors can be preserved more effectively.

Get Gutters Installed

Properly installed gutters will ensure you have a system to deal with rainfall based on the shape of your home as well as how water runs based on the pitch of the roof and the slope of your land. Seamless gutters will be on the edge of every sloped roof.

The downspouts will terminate away from the foundation of your home. Typically, there will be at least a three-foot diversion from your home. It will ensure that the water flows away from your home as well as landscaping so you don’t have to deal with puddles and ponding.

Gutter Maintenance

It is important to understand that there will be some gutter maintenance to be done on your part. You will want to keep them clean so that they remain in working order. Leaves, weeds, grass, and more can accumulate in your gutters.

By cleaning them out, you can avoid water damming, leaks, mosquitoes breeding in the area, and eventual failure of the gutters. Since you want your gutters to last a long time and do their intended job, you simply have to keep them clean or hire a gutter cleaning service like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky to come out once or twice a year.

The next time it rains, you don’t have to be frustrated that you have a leak in your basement or that your mulch has gotten washed away yet again. Sheets of rain shouldn’t come off of your roof by any of your doors, either. Gutters will make it much more bearable to deal with the rain. Plus, it will be a great maintenance tool to keep your home safe from such things as floods, mold, stagnant water, and issues with your foundation. You might be surprised by just what an impact gutters can make on your home.

For all of your gutter needs in Western Kentucky, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today!