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.

The damage water can cause your home if not handled properly can become costly: water damage claims amount to $11 billion dollars per year, they are the second most often filed insurance claim in America, and 8% of that damage is caused by weather. One way to protect your home from the seasonal weather surges that winter brings is to keep healthy, clean gutters.

Keeping your gutters clean and unclogged has its own dangers and costs: climbing ladders to tend these gutters has resulted in more than 500 thousand related injuries per year. Yet leaving them unkempt can lead to water damage to your home’s foundation, wood rot to your attic, leaks, insect problems, and more. Where lies the answer? Gutter covers and other gutter protection systems can offer the solution you need.

The Wreckage Water Wreaks

One-way water can be problematic is if it has excess minerals within it, known as hard water. This water issue can be harmless when drinking the water or bathing in it, but can present problems when washing laundry or in your sinks and plumbing. Hard water has minerals like limestone, magnesium, calcium, and iron inside it in heavy amounts. This can cause problems when these minerals build up around drainage areas like sinks or toilets and within the plumbing lining the walls of your housing structure. Much like having clogged gutters, this too can cause infrastructural concerns for your home.

Water damage from unclean gutters can impact different areas of the home in varying ways. The water from clogged gutters can pool around the foundation of your house and cause cracks, creating potential for collapse and infrastructural damage. Other structural aspects of the home at risk are ceilings, walls, and the roof itself. It harms any wood and wooden structures associated with the gutters, and causes destruction in the landscape surrounding your home. Clogged gutters are also a risk unto themselves; when water from rainfall accumulates with leaves, needles, and other debris in the gutters they are liable to fall and cause damage that way.

The Utter Solution To Your Gutter Problems

Gutter guard products are the solution to your gutter concerns. They prevent destruction in a variety of ways, to you and to your home. For your home, they prevent the clogs from building up that result in water damage to your home’s foundation, fascia, walls, and landscape. For you, they diminish the need for the risks that climbing perilous ladders to scrape your gutters clean by hand present.

Gutter guards, screens, covers, prevent debris like leaves, needles, and other organic material from gathering in your gutters. This way when those cool winter days bring heavy rainfall to your home, the water goes right through your gutters as it’s supposed to instead of getting caught in a clog and being rerouted to your home’s foundations or walls. This means that the risky annual maintenance of gutters by climbing rickety ladders is no longer necessary. By result, you have lessened chances at the possibility of a ladder related injury. And with these things in mind, you can relax at home listening as the rain pours without concern for water damage.

Perhaps you are considering gutter guards, need your gutters cleaned or perhaps need new gutters on your home. Give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us!

Well, it was bound to happen! We have already had our first snow of the year. Perhaps you went to the store for milk and bread to prepare. But, did you think to prepare your home for the effects of snow?

While it is important to acknowledge the wrath that heavy snowfall can bring on a large scale, it is also significant to magnify the equally problematic aftermath of snow at the micro level. If snow can freeze highways, imagine the damage it can bring to your homes.

The downpour of snow and ice on your roof might make your homes look nice. However, the snow and ice mixture that covers your roof and lands on your gutters can cause unfortunate damage.

Gutters capture the water that hits your roof. During winter, water comes in the form of snow and may cause denser clogging. Gutter repair can be costly and foundation repair is far more expensive. To keep the snow and ice away, and keep the costs at bay, be sure to use only the best gutter guards available. Gutter guards can help keep the weight of the snow off of your gutters.

With its narrow slit, a gutter guard prevents natural substances like snow from entering your gutters. The slit then leads the snow down to where it should be.

Gutter guards are now more widely available. Companies like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky are professionals at making sure your gutter guards are of the best quality and installed correctly.

If you are ready to take a look at gutter guards for your home or office, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call today for a FREE estimate. You can reach us by phone at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us.

As a homeowner, you have a long to-do list of necessary upkeep and projects for your home. Gutter cleaning should be a routine part of this list just as lawn care is. In actuality, it is more important since rainwater runoff caused from poorly managing your gutter system can damage your home and foundation. A gutter cleaning service can assist with the maintenance of your gutter system.

Gutter Cleaning Factors:

Surroundings:

Trees are the worst for jamming up your gutters. When leaves and sticks land in your gutter, they can cause large obstructions and make a big mess. In some cases, when their seeds land in the dirt in gutters they can begin to grow. Weeds building up in your gutter are a major warning sign to the health status of your gutters.

Areas that deal with dust are also at risk. Dust creates a layer on the bottom of the guttering that can add weight and may increase the number of leaks and cracks in the system. Silt and dirt shouldn’t be left long, therefore evaluating the system as a whole is important to be done a few times a year.

Weather & Seasons:

Depending on your location, the various seasons it experiences will greatly influence the need for gutter cleaning services.

Winter and springtime in particular can bring various problems. If you are in a location that has cold winters, scheduling a gutter cleaning prior to the first freeze is vital. You do not want debris lying in your gutters come spring. Springtime tends to be the time of year with the most amount of rainfall. The clogs will prevent the water from moving through your guttering. And worse yet, those blockages may cause damage to your gutters, downspouts and foundation if water pours over the system.

Gutters and downspouts won’t fix themselves. Hiring a professional gutter cleaning company such as Gutter Boyz of Kentucky that just do gutters to evaluate the effectiveness of your gutter system is the best solution to these problems. We have the expertise to evaluate your system and make sure that they are working efficiently. We can recommend the best plan on quickly getting your gutters in top working order.

If you are experiencing any issues with your gutters or want to help prevent damage to your gutter system, give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky.  With offices in Paducah, KY and Benton, KY we serve almost all of Western Kentucky.  Call us today at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE estimate or CLICK HERE to contact us today!                   

Gutter cleaning is one of those tasks most homeowners dread. Many avoid it and end up with clogged gutters that overflow every time it rains. Those who understand the importance of clean gutters but don’t yet have rain gutter guards often call professional gutter cleaning companies like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. If you have a gutter cleaning company come to your home twice a year, you may wonder how they do the job so quickly and efficiently. Here’s more about how they get the job done.

Using the Right Tools

Generally speaking, professionals like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky will clean your gutters more thoroughly and effectively than you might. But that’s to be expected, since they’re charging for the service. Their cost includes the tools they’ve invested in. This may include industrial-strength vacuums with gutter-sized attachments, or extremely strong power washers to blast clogs out.

Some companies utilize what is known as “wet/dry technology,” which allows workers to alternate between power washing and vacuuming to remove all types of debris. And, last but not least, gutter cleaning pros will pick up all of the cleaned-out debris and put it into containers for disposal.

Gutter & Gutter Guard Installers

Some gutter cleaning companies like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky also install gutters and gutter guards. They may inspect your gutters and recommend repair or replacement. If you have noticed that your gutters are failing, new gutters will benefit you; however, you will still need to clean them if you don’t invest in gutter guards. If the cleaning company tries to sell you on gutter guards to prevent the need for future cleanings, make sure they’re installing a proven and high-quality product.

Are Gutter Guards Better Than Gutter Cleaning?

That depends. Although the cost of hiring a gutter cleaning company really adds up over time, choosing inferior gutter covers won’t benefit you much. You may find that you still need occasional gutter cleanings or cleaning of the gutter covers themselves.

Talk To A Gutter Professional

Why not call Gutter Boyz of Kentucky instead? We can give you the best advice on how to keep water flowing away from your home. For more information or a FREE ESTIMATE, give us a call at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today!