Spring is almost here. People are beginning to make a list of the spring chores that will need to be done soon. If gutter cleaning is on you list, and it should be, here are four things Gutter Boyz of Kentucky would like to remind you!

Be Safe

Practice safety every step of the way. Follow ladder safety rules. Don’t stand on the top rungs, put a 2×4 in the trough to prevent crushing if you lean the ladder against it and only work on the roof in good weather. Don’t do troughs when it is windy, icy or wet. Wear sturdy shoes with good grip. Avoid leaning over edges or working near power lines.

Regular Cleaning

Clean at least twice a year, maybe more if your house sits below trees. It is a good idea to clean gutters in the spring and autumn, as these are the two times there will be the most leaves and debris to remove. By doing the cleaning now, there is less chance of blockage in the winter when it can freeze and crack the trough. Water will be able to flow properly. Spring cleaning prevents water damage due to run off from a clogged gutter.

Repair and Maintain

Repair and maintain your gutters to prevent cracks, clogs and broken troughs right away. Even a little crack can cause big problems if left alone. By maintaining gutters, you are preventing damage to your home and keeping your investments safe. Clean gutters also keep your house in good condition and looking fresh. You will be preventing mold and critters from getting too comfortable as well.

Call a Professional

Perhaps the biggest of the gutter cleaning tips is if the job is too big, or too much for you to handle, always call a gutter cleaning service like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. If your house is over one story, it may be better to call a professional. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can do it safely and offer maintenance advice.

There are leaf-catching systems, but they still need to be cleaned by removing and rinsing the screens. Sometimes it is just better to call someone who specializes in this work and has all the tools and manpower ready.

With our knowledge and experience, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can also help prevent damage. We will do it right the first time and in good time.
If you are in need of new gutters, gutter cleaning, gutter repairs or looking for gutter covers, contact Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. You can reach us by phone at (270) 906- 3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us now for a FREE QUOTE.

Spring is just around the corner. When it comes to the most important parts of your home, gutters are often overlooked. Gutter neglect can lead to several structural problems over time. Keeping your gutters clean and functional is a simple yet effective way to protect other parts of your home. Here are 6 reasons to make sure gutter maintenance is on your annual home-care checklist.

Damage to Your Fascia

The fascia is the board below your roofline that connects to the gutters. If you let your gutters get too clogged, water may overflow and damage the fascia boards. This could be an expensive repair as the fascia bears the load for all of your gutters.

Leaky Roofs

If your gutters are clogged, rain, ice, and moisture can accumulate on the roof instead of flowing down through the gutters and out to the drainage. On that note, once the water seeps through the roof, it can cause damage to your insulation, drywall, and plaster. This could result in mold which is not only costly but also dangerous to your health.

Cracks in Your Foundation

It’s not just the roof that can be affected by clogged gutters. Overflowing water from gutters can go anywhere on and in the house. Water commonly runs all the way down your home’s walls to the foundation. The water may get into any cracks, freeze, and aggravate any cracking in the foundation. Damage to your foundation is very costly, so it’s important to make sure to examine it regularly.

Flooding

The last thing you want is to walk down to your basement and step in a pool of water. Overflowing gutters are commonly the cause of basement flooding. It’s not just the interior of your house that you need to worry about when it comes to flooding. Overflowing gutters can flood your garden and lawn, and too much water is just as bad as not enough!

Pests

Insects and other critters love stagnant water, and if you don’t clean your gutters, that stagnant water can become a breeding ground. Leaves and other build-up in your gutters may also become a home for rodents and birds.

Your Home’s Value

Not only are clogged and damaged gutters an eyesore, but they also may affect the value of your home. Real estate professionals can easily spot damaged gutters, devaluing your entire home.

As you start planning for spring, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call.  Whether you need new gutters, gutter repair, gutter guards or gutter cleaning, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is here to help.  For a FREE QUOTE, give us a call at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us!

Gutters are incredibly important, but they are often overlooked by homeowners. Your gutters catch rainwater flowing off your roof and redirect this water to your downspouts. The downspouts then deposit this water a safe distance away from your home. Problems with this process can cause costly water damage to your property.

For instance, clogged and overflowing gutters can lead to damage on your roof, siding and landscaping. If there’s a problem with your downspouts then rainwater might saturate the soil surrounding your foundation. This wet soil can then put tremendous amounts of pressure on your foundation, causing it to crack. As the leading gutter installer in western Kentucky, we strongly recommend paying attention to your gutters and keeping them in good condition.

If your gutter system is old or is in bad shape, then you need to get new gutters as soon as possible. In today’s article, we explain what you need to know about gutter costs. We discuss the factors that affect the cost of gutters and outline your various options. We also explain how we can help you with your gutter project.

Factors That Affect the Costs of Your Project

The costs for your gutter replacement project will depend on several key factors. First, there’s the cost of the material. Gutters can be manufactured out of many different materials, each of which has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. In general, you’ll get what you pay for. As the top expert in gutters and gutter covers in western Kentucky, we recommend choosing the best gutter material that your budget will allow. Next, there’s the cost of labor. Labor costs are often location dependent and they can be affected by your roof’s design and structure.

The larger and more complicated your roof is, the higher the cost of the labor to install your new gutters. Keep in mind that the quality of your gutter installation has a major impact on your new gutters’ lifespan, durability and performance. Mistakes during this installation process can cause water damage to your home, so you need to hire an experienced, reputable contractor for your project.

Finally, you’ll need to pay for the hangers, downspout extensions, flashing, splash blocks, splash drains, disposal and a few other miscellaneous items depending on the type of gutters you install. As the leading expert in gutter protection in Paducah, KY and the surrounding area, we also recommend taking this opportunity to install a gutter protection system for your home. This will add to the costs of your project, but it is worth it. A gutter protection system can drastically reduce your gutter maintenance requirements and prevent your gutters from clogging.

Seamless Gutters vs. Ordinary Gutters

During your gutter replacement project, you’ll probably have to choose between seamless gutters and sectional gutters. Installed in sections that are joined together and sealed, sectional gutters are vulnerable to leaks due to the amount of joints and seams they contain. These areas are where leaks are most likely to form. Sectional gutters also clog more easily because leaves and debris can easily get caught in the joints and seams.

Seamless gutters won’t have any of those problems. Made from a single piece of material, seamless gutters don’t have any joints or seams. They are much less likely to clog and leak. Seamless gutters are also guaranteed to be a better fit for your home as they are custom made to conform to your home’s specific measurements. In our opinion, the extra cost of seamless gutters is worth it for the superior performance.

If it is time to add gutters to your new home or replace the gutters on your existing home, contact us at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky.  We also repair gutters, install gutter guards and clean gutters.  Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is your one-stop gutter provider.  For a FREE QUOTE, give us a call at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us.

Gutter installation is a lot trickier than it seems, which is why it’s better to entrust this work to experienced professionals like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky than attempt it yourself. Going the DIY route may save you money on the front end, but any mistakes you make could result in serious water damage to your property, costing you more in the long run. Here are some common mistakes made by homeowners who attempt to install their own gutters:

1. Choosing the Wrong Type of Gutter
   This is the most common mistake DIYers make. Remember: no two homes are alike—each has a unique set of needs, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach to gutter installation won’t work. Before making a purchase, you need to carefully research the different options available and take into account things like the pitch of your roof, size of your home and amount of rainfall your region typically receives
   Gutter Boyz of Kentucky recommends seamless gutters. Seamless gutters are superior to sectional gutters. Seams are a gutter system’s weakest point. Over time, sections of a gutter can pull apart from each other, leaving a gap in the joints where the sections meet, consequently increasing the risks of leaks. In addition, foliage and other kinds of debris can get stuck in these joints. Since seamless gutters have fewer joints, they require less maintenance and are less likely to suffer from leaks.
   
2. Choosing the Wrong Gutter Size
   Another common mistake is choosing the wrong gutter size. A standard gutter system is 5 inches long and 6 inches wide, with downspouts that are 2 x 3 inches or 3 x 4 inches in length and width and 3 or 4 inches in diameter. However, the size of your gutters ultimately depends on the amount of rainfall your area receives as well as your roof pitch. As a rule of thumb, the steeper your roof pitch, the more rainwater your roof can collect, and the larger your gutters need to be.
   
3. Spacing Gutter Hangers Too Far Apart
   When you install your gutters, make sure the gutter hangers supporting them aren’t spread too far apart. Otherwise, your gutters might sag. As a general rule, the hangers should be spaced at a maximum of three feet apart from each other. For homes in cold climates, however, the gutter hangers should be spaced a maximum of two feet apart because additional support is needed to offset the added weight from snow and ice.
   
4. Failing to Account for Roof Pitch
   Gutters should have a steep enough pitch to allow rainwater to flow to the downspouts. If the pitch is too steep, water will rush into the downspouts and likely overflow. On the other hand, if the angle is too low, water will pool in parts of the gutter. An experienced gutter installer like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky will take these factors into account when installing your system.
   
5. Incorrect Installation of Downspouts
   Don’t forget about the downspouts. If the downspouts are not installed properly or are placed in the wrong location, rainwater might seep into the foundation or even damage your facade. Ideally, downspouts should be diverting water eight to 10 feet away from your home’s foundation.
   
   Before you make the decision to install gutters yourself, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky for a FREE QUOTE. We will save you time and money both in the short term and more importantly in the long-term. Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is pleased to serve to gutter needs for most of Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri.

As we reach this time of year, we begin to wonder if the big snow / ice storm is going to hit this year.  Are your gutters prepared for the winter weather? You may be surprised by how much damage a little ice, snow, and wind can do. Without proper winter maintenance, your gutters can clog, crack, and even sag from their hinges. Use the following tips to protect your gutters from ice damage.

Her are four tips for winterizing your gutters.

Clean your gutters. When leaves, twigs, or other debris clog gutters during winter, rainwater and melting snow can overflow and freeze on the ground. This ice around the home and on pathways can create a slipping hazard. Before the winter season begins, use three easy steps to clean and inspect your gutter system—even if you have gutter screens.

Trim your trees. Leaves may continue to fall into your gutters after winter begins. You can reduce this debris by trimming back the tree branches near your roof. Also, if ice and snow weigh down the branches, the limbs can snap and damage your roof and gutters. Before you get started, talk to a tree service professional to ensure that a late fall or early winter trim will not harm your trees.

Try a test run. To make sure that your gutters are functioning properly, run water through them with a garden hose and check for any leaks or clogs. If you find any problems, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky for help.

Use de-icing compounds. If your home has a problem area where more ice and snow accumulates on the roof, use a de-icing barrier. It will melt ice and snow before it slides off the roof, which helps prevent ice dams in gutters. Fill an old pair of pantyhose with de-icing compounds, such as calcium chloride, and lay the hose across the roof. The chemicals will melt the snow and ice, and water will flow, preventing sagging gutters or broken hinges.

With these four tips, you can easily prep your gutters for winter, but the process will run more smoothly if the gutters are properly maintained year-round.  Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is ready to help you with your gutters.  Whether you need new gutters, gutter repair, gutter cleaning or gutter guards, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is just a phone call away.  Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055, email us at Sales@Gutterboyzky.com or CLICK HERE to contact us.

You already know that rain gutters provide homeowners with a wide array of benefits. The most relevant benefit is protecting your property from costly water damage repairs. It does not matter if you choose regular or custom rain gutters, the important matter here is that you need to have rain gutters supporting your drainage system on draining away the rainwater to prevent future headaches that could damage your roof, floors, furniture, foundation, and more.

After installing rain gutters, it is important to know that, as a homeowner, you cannot overlook their maintenance. Why? Because it could lead to problems, such as clogged or overflow gutters, leaking pipes, and so much more. So, you need to be careful, if you don’t want to put your home at risk.

Now that you know the different issues you could face if you don’t have gutters or if you don’t properly maintain the ones you have, you should ask yourself: How much do I know about rain gutters? Perhaps, rain gutters are much more fascinating than you think. Don’t believe us? Here are ten fun facts about rain gutters that most people do not know:

1. Did you know that the first gutters were created by ancient civilizations in 3.000 B.C.? They started to drain water from one location to another using a system that they made out of stone, brick, and wood. Furthermore, the first drainage systems to drain water away from streets were used by the Romans! Awesome, right?
2. Did you know that gargoyles were used on buildings to act as rain gutters? These gargoyles would direct rain water away from the important areas of the building. Isn’t that brilliant? Some people even believed that the gargoyles were also used to ward off evil spirits from the building.
3. Wood, lead, and clay replaced the gargoyles gutters in the 1200s.
4. Nowadays, rain gutters are produced in a range of materials, such as plastic, steel, copper, and aluminum. Moreover, every homeowner can choose two shapes of gutters: K-Style Gutters or Half-round gutters. Also, they can add types of rain chain like link and cup chains. Homeowners can even add downspouts to the gutters.
5. Did you know cleaning your rain gutters can kill you? Organic debris trapped inside rain gutters is slippery and handling it boosts your risk of falling. Hiring professionals, like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, to maintain your gutter system neat and tidy can keep you out of the hospital.
6. Did you know gutter cleaning professionals find thousands of children’s toys inside rain gutters every year? Even though Frisbees, balls, and badminton birdies are the most common, lunch boxes, toy cars, and even Barbie dolls have also been found with no explanation whatsoever of how they got up there.
7. Did you know rain gutters were once installed on vehicles to prevent rain from falling on drivers’ heads when they exited the car? Located on the roof, the rain gutters dramatically changed the profile of the car, affecting air flow. Therefore, rain gutters were phased out in the 1980s to enhance aerodynamics – but no one seemed to notice.
8. Did you know earthworms are often found in rain gutters? No one can explain for sure how they get into rain gutters all the way from the ground. Some people believe that worm eggs can get stuck between birds’ legs or the wind and, thus, reach the rain gutters by air travel. The worms hatch once inside the moist, clogged rain gutter.
9. Did you know standing water in your rain gutters is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests? That’s why you should have your rain gutters regularly cleaned to prevent pests near your home.
10. Did you know clutter, cutter, butter, clutter, shutter, and flutter rhyme with gutter, but no word rhymes with eave trough? Eave trough is a more technical terminology used for rain gutters.

Thanks for reading all of these fun facts.  If you find yourself in need of new gutters, gutter repairs, gutter cleaning or gutter guards, contact us at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky.  You can reach us by phone at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us!

New gutters can be a great addition to any home. In some cases, new gutters are needed to replace faulty gutters that are beyond repair.

Gutters are a very important system for your home. Gutters from the right source are built to last for years and deliver a high level of function, but everything has an expiration date, including gutters. Gutter cleaning and gutter repair can only do so much to keep your gutters functional.

When Should You Consider New Gutters?

The best way to determine if your gutters can be rescued through gutter cleanings and repairs is to have an expert evaluate your gutters. An expert in gutter installation and repairs will be able to help you to decide if it is time for new gutters.

Here are some things that you may want to consider whether or not it is time to get new gutters:

• How many times have you had to have your gutters repaired in the last few years?
• Are your gutters 15 years or older?
• New gutters can be more efficient at getting the job done.

f you have had to have gutter repairs every year for the last few years than you may want to consider biting the bullet and have new gutters installed. At some point, you have to decide if it is cost-effective to piecemeal your gutters.

Gutters are more efficient and durable today than they were in the past. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky recommends seamless vinyl gutters for most homes and business locations. Seamless vinyl gutters are durable and cost effective.

Make it Worth Your Investment

It is important that you reach out to a trusted source to ensure that whether it is gutter repairs, gutter cleaning, or new installation that the job is done right. Your property depends highly on having highly functional gutters for protection from water damage.

One of the best ways to ensure you get the value that you want out of your new gutters is to choose the best new gutter installation western Kentucky has to offer. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can help you to determine when it is time to have new gutters installed and can meet all your gutter needs. For a FREE consultation, give us a call at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us.

You’re a homeowner. You’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, tears (and dollars) into your home. Then Santa comes along, has a little accident and damages your gutters. Are you going to let just any ol’ amateur repair your gutters? Or are you going to go with a trained professional – one that you can be sure knows what they’re doing?

The choice is clear, right? Well, unfortunately, a lot of homeowners opt for the amateur option. Gutters are a vital necessity for protecting your home and they must be installed correctly or you risk damage to one of the largest investments you may ever make. Many homeowners get seduced by the cheap prices that amateurs offer.

We’ve heard countless stories of gutter installations and repairs gone awry from amateurish efforts. So, what should you look for when you’re seeking a gutter company to keep your home safe and protected? Here are some tips:

• Licensed and insured. Make sure your gutter company carries general liability insurance, carries worker’s compensation insurance and is registered with the state as a home improvement contractor. Also, check to see if they have any complaints filed against them.
• Professional appearance. Check to see if your gutter company look profession. Make sure the company has a professional-looking website, Google profile, and active social media channels.
• Local vs. chain. Are you using a national or a regional chain? Be careful – usually, large corporate chains only care about one thing: cold, hard profit. Their only purpose is to generate revenue for stakeholders. More than likely, they are not, their workers care about one thing: getting to the next job to make the bosses happy. They may even charge an additional fee to come back out! Be sure to go local. At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we live and work in the area. We strive to build long-term relationships, and value being part of the fabric of our community.

If you find that your gutters are in need of repair after the holiday, we hope you will give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. With offices in Benton and Paducah, KY we are just a phone call away. You may reach us by phone at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us.

It is already time for the holidays! It seemed like just yesterday we were pulling out the swimsuits and sunscreen. But Christmas will be here before we know it and along with it all the festivities of the season including decorating the home. Putting up Christmas lights is one of the most popular ways to celebrate.

Hanging those red and green bulbs though can be more dangerous than you think. Not only is there a spike in ladder-related falls and injuries, lights can pose a fire hazard as well as damage the exterior of the home. Who knew spreading holiday cheer could be such a dangerous job?

One of the area’s most prone to unintentional damage is the gutters. If you don’t take care when stringing the lights, your gutters can bear the brunt of your haphazardness. It is important for every homeowner to know the correct way to hang their Christmas lights and avoid costly gutter damage.

Follow these guidelines for correctly hanging Christmas lights on your gutters:

Before you start working:

• Check your lights for any burnt out bulbs or frayed cords. Damaged strings can pose a fire hazard to your home and running up and down a ladder to replace bulbs is never fun.

• Make sure to place your ladder on level ground and on the side nearest to the outlet.

• Gather all the supplies you will need: light bulbs, gutter clips and extension cords.

• Select the right light clip by choosing either a gutter-specific clip or an all-in-one option.

• Replace any broken gutter sections before hanging lights on them. The weight of the strands can cause further damage to an already compromised system.

Best practices for protecting your gutters:

• Keep the string taunt as you go along the length of the home. This helps ensure a secure installation.

• Use only specially-designed clips to attach the lights. Never use staples, nails or clothespins to mount the strands onto your gutters.

• Make sure your gutters can handle the load. Lights that are too heavy can weigh down the gutters causing them to sag or detach from the home.

For those with gutter guards installed:

• Attaching clips to gutter guards can be difficult. When possible, hang lights from your shingles rather than the gutters.

• Some gutter guards have an overhanging lip that makes clip placement nearly impossible. Make sure you buy clips that go either straight up or straight out to avoid the overhang.

• Moisture-resistant adhesive clips can be a good option for those that can’t hang clips onto their gutters guards or shingles.

If you see that your gutters are damaged, sagging or in need of repair, do not hang lights on them.  Give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky.  We will help you repair and secure your gutters before more damage occurs.  You can reach us by phone by calling (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us for a FREE estimate.

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 of Kentucky:

#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. To counter this, it is necessary to repaint them several times throughout the year, so the rust does not accumulate under the painting coating.

#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. But no worries, you can use silicone waterproof sealant to cover the leaks and allow your gutters last longer.

#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, technicians must perform a gutter cleaning service to 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 will notice water dripping from your gutters. The solution is easy, ask your rain gutter technicians to check the slope of the gutters and adjust them as necessary.

#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 or after a rainstorm to ensure that everything is functioning well.

If you are experiencing problems with your gutter system, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky.  We would be happy to take a look at your gutters to see how we can help you.  We serve a majority of Western Kentucky.  For a FREE EVALUATION, give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today.