Earlier this year we discussed some of the typical causes of gutter damage. But does your roof even need gutters?

The short answer: probably, but not always. It may seem strange to see a house without gutters, but every once in a while you might encounter one. In fact, whether your home actually needs gutters depends on the build of your home, where your home is, and whether your home experiences water-related issues. Here’s everything you need to know about gutters or gutter installation.

WHAT DO GUTTERS ACTUALLY DO?
Gutters control the water that hits your roof, directing it into a single flow that moves away from your house. Without gutters, it’s possible that water runoff will build up around your home, getting into your foundation and causing water damage over time. Gutters are not able to move water away effectively unless they’re frequently cleaned—and damaged gutters can actually cause more damage than not having gutters at all because they can cause water to pool along your roof.

In addition to moving water away, gutters can also help to prevent erosion by controlling water runoff. This protects any landscaping that’s around a property, though, understandably, if there is no landscaping around the property it may not be as significant an issue.

WHEN WOULDN’T YOU NEED GUTTERS?
Homes that are in places that don’t experience a lot of rainfall or snow often don’t need gutters, because the amount of water falling along a roof isn’t significant enough to require them. Gutters are intended to protect against water damage over time; if there isn’t a lot of water on a regular basis, that damage isn’t going to occur. However, here in Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois, that isn’t the case! We have more than enough rain and snow to damage your home.

Homes are less likely to need gutters if the ground slopes away from them. A house on a hill is not as likely to need gutters, because the rain is naturally going to flow away. A home surrounded by concrete may also not need gutters, but there must be some slope for the water to run away from the home as well.

WHY SHOULD YOU INSTALL GUTTERS?
Gutters, as long as they’re well-maintained, provide insurance against future roof, foundation, erosion and moisture issues. In most areas, gutters are necessary, because of the amount of rainfall. Gutters are more likely to be useful in areas where the ground slopes towards a home. Unless your roofer specifically tells you that you shouldn’t have gutters, it’s a good idea to install them.

WHEN MIGHT YOUR ROOF NOT NEED GUTTERS?
It is important to note that some types of roofing may not need gutters. Roofs that have significant overhang will direct water away from the house regardless, which means your home is less likely to need gutters. In some homes, the attractiveness of the home may be benefited by extending the roof rather than adding gutters.

If you have questions about whether you need gutters for your specific type of home or business, contact us at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. We will always give you an honest answer along with an explanation about how we may, or may not be able to help you. Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us.

First, of all, what are gutter guards? Gutter guards prevent leaves, sticks, and other debris from collecting in your gutters by preventing those items from getting into your gutters while still allowing water to pass through.

At Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, our primary goal is to protect the integrity of your gutters so that your gutters can effectively and efficiently guide water away from the foundation of your home and maintain the integrity of your gutters (minimizing the need for repair or replacement). Gutter guards eliminate the hassle of frequently cleaning your gutters!

Are you considering having gutter guards installed, but aren’t totally convinced yet? Unless you live in an area with very little trees, and you get almost no debris in your gutters, we think gutter guards are a great addition to your gutters and home. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of trees and find that your gutters constantly get clogged, gutter guards can be a great solution. These gutter protection covers are systems designed to prevent clogging by keeping out debris without stopping the flow of water.

Some Benefits of Gutter Guards include:

As gutter experts here in Western Kentucky, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, we are committed to only providing gutter guard systems we feel are some of the best options on the market. Gutter guards from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky:

• Adding value to your home
• Prevent home damage
• Keep out pests
• Decrease the risk of gutter fires

Need more information on gutter guards for your home or business? Give us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today!

Fall foliage will clog your gutters in no time flat. The best way to keep this pesky debris from plugging up your water drainage system is to plan. Learn how to prepare your gutters before the leaves fall.

Start Off Clean
The best way to prevent gutter damage and issues during the fall is by starting with a clean slate. Your gutters will collect dirt and debris at all times of the year. Instead of only cleaning once the leaves fall into your gutters, you should enter the season without any buildup. This way, any leaves that do fall into your gutters won’t add to the mess. If you would like a professional gutter cleaning service to assist you, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call today!

Install Gutter Guards
If you want to go above and beyond simple pre-cleaning to full-on preparedness, you should have Gutter Boyz of Kentucky install gutter guards. These tools overlay your gutter openings, adding a grate between your concave gutter and the outside world.

When foliage falls toward your roof, it will land on the gutter guard instead of the gutter, making it easier to clear off. It will keep the gutter clear for operation. If you decide this is the ideal route for your autumn preparedness plan, our Gutter Guard team can help you install gutter leaf protection systems in no time.

Trim Nearby Trees
You can drastically decrease the autumnal impact on your gutters by trimming nearby trees. If you have very tall tree limbs, it’s time to say goodbye. The farther away they are from your gutters, the better. Trimming will maintain a cleaner gutter system than leaving your greenery unattended.

Knowing how to prepare your gutters before the leaves fall will keep rainfall flowing safely away from your home. Water drainage is vital to the safety and preservation of your property. Don’t let pesky leaves get in the way—contact us at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky to help you get ready for fall. You can reach us by calling (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us today!

Gutter cleaning is a task every homeowner needs to make sure is done at least twice a year. Some homeowners believe it is ok to hire their lawn guy to do the job while others look to a local handyman.

We think it is important to set the record straight as to why you should look to a professional gutter cleaning company like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky – and not your lawn guy or a handyman, for your gutter cleaning and care throughout the year.

1. Professionals Are Insured For The Work

A company like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is insured for the work they do – which is gutter cleaning. We are not insured to provide lawn care. Your lawn care guy should be insured for lawn care and normally is not also covered for gutter cleaning.

Professional gutter cleaning companies will have multi-million dollar general liability coverage which protects you in case something happens. The importance of proper insurance coverage cannot be understated and whether you hire us or not, you should always ask about the company insurance before you hire them.

2. Professionals Know About Gutters

Gutter cleaning professionals are able to look at a system of gutters and downspouts on a house and identify problem areas, damage, and other things that a handyman for example might miss. This is simply because we work with gutters every day of the week and specialize in knowing about them. We don’t bounce back and forth between ten different tasks each day as a handyman might.

3. Professionals Clean Gutters Faster And More Efficiently

You would expect a lawn care company to have everything they need to mow and trim your lawn for example on their truck or trailer. The same goes for a professional gutter cleaning company. Our teams have the proper ladders, tools, and equipment to clean gutters quickly and efficiently without running to get something or borrowing something from you.

Being faster and more efficient means that in the long run, you are going to save money and get the job done better.

When you’re ready to have a professional gutter cleaning company take care of your needs, trust Gutter Boyz of Kentucky to get the job done right. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is locally owned and operated and serves a majority of Western Kentucky. Give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE ESTIMATE or CLICK HERE to contact us today!

With summer about gone in Western Kentucky, fall is just around the corner. With autumn on its way, there are several things you need to do to get your home prepared for the fall and winter season, with gutter maintenance and gutter cleaning on the forefront. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top four tips to prepare your gutters for the fall season.

1. Thoroughly clean your gutters
No one likes to do it, but gutter maintenance is a chore that needs to be done. The best tip to get ready for fall is to clean your gutters thoroughly. This could mean spending a weekend climbing the ladder and getting every last seed, pod, twig, leaf, and other foliage debris from the trough of the gutter as well as the downspout of the gutter. If you have many trees in your neighborhood, you may have to perform gutter maintenance at least once a month and possibly twice a month if the leaves are especially falling.

2. Do an inspection
The next important tip to realize is to inspect your gutters often. This will save you a bundle in the end. When it is nice out in the late summer or early fall, climb on your ladder and inspect your gutters and downspouts. Are they sagging or pulling away from the house? Are the seams starting to split? Are they full of debris? Is the downspout loose? By inspecting your gutters and then properly maintaining or replacing them as needed, you will save yourself stress and aggravation as well as money in the near future.

3. Trim branches
Another tip to prepare your gutter for the fall season is to trim back any branches from the gutters or that might be touching your roof. Trees and branches grow over the summer months and can be directly over your troughs. When the wind blows, the leaves and seeds are falling straight into the gutters and clogging them up. Make sure to trim back those branches late this summer to prepare them for the fall season ahead!

4. Hire a professional
The last essential tip to prepare your gutters for fall is to hire a professional like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky can investigate what issues you have with your gutters and repair them as necessary. We can also install a leaf guard which prevents the leaves from falling in your gutters and clogging them up, therefore, preventing you from having to clean the gutters out as much. If you do not have the time to clean the gutters yourself, we can help with that task as well.

As you can see, there are many ways to get your home’s gutter system ready for the fall season. When you perform gutter cleaning or gutter maintenance to your gutters this fall, you will be ready for any thunderstorms that occur. If you follow our advice on the top four tips to prepare your gutters for the fall season you will be ready for autumn when it arrives!

Need help with your gutters? Give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call today at (270) 906-3055!

When fall starts, you will be ready. You’ll pick out the pumpkins. You will bake an apple pie. You may even break out your favorite mustard-colored cardigan (only to sweat through it in 80-degree weather by the afternoon). But as the leaves start to fall, you might realize that you’re not as prepared as you thought.

Cleaning up leaves is one of the lesser enjoyable parts of owning a home. It seems like the whole fall season is a cycle of endless lawn care: rake, bag, and repeat. Your lawn might be the most noticeable cemetery for dead foliage, but another problematic graveyard is your gutter.

Gutters are an important part of your roof that help drain rainwater away from your home. This drainage system prevents water damage caused by puddling near the foundation of your home. Leaves are one of the most common issues that clog up gutters and cause water puddling. One way to prevent clogged gutters is cleaning them regularly. But climbing on your roof every week is neither safe nor convenient.

An alternative option for gutter clog prevention is gutter guards. Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is here to help you prepare for the fall season. If you would like to know more about how gutter guards, give Gutter Boyz of Kentucky a call today at (270) 906-3055 or CLICK HERE to contact us for a FREE ESTIMATE.

If your gutters are getting older or seem to not get rid of moisture as well as they used to, it may be time to consider replacing them. A few signs that indicate you need new gutters include mold or mildew, cracking at the seams, leaks, and peeling or chipping paint. While many decide to go with traditional gutters, other options may work for your home. Custom seamless gutters, as their name indicates, do not have seams making leaks far less likely. Here are three things that you should know about seamless gutters.

They Add Value

The first thing that you should know is that, in general, adding new gutters is good for your home’s value. Gutters offer a healthy return on investment and can even add value and curb appeal to your home. Seamless gutters, in particular, are great for adding value to your home. If you are planning to sell, seamless gutters are a feature that many buyers look for in a new home. Just make sure you choose gutters that match the style of your house.

You Have Options

When it comes to custom seamless gutters, there is a wide array of options to choose from. At Gutter Boys of Kentucky, we install aluminum seamless gutters in a variety of different colors and styles are also available. Before your custom seamless gutter installation, you will want to discuss which colors and styles will work best for your home, and that will be within your budget. No matter what type of seamless gutter you choose, it will be less susceptible to leaking and more attractive than a comparable traditional gutter.

The Cost

Another thing to know about custom seamless gutters is how much they cost. If you are looking for affordable options, custom aluminum seamless gutters from Gutter Boyz of Kentucky will be your best bet for the long-term. Overall, seamless gutters are an excellent investment and cost-effective due to their durability.

If you are considering custom seamless gutters, there are a few things to know. First, seamless gutters add curb appeal and value to your home. There are also numerous options to choose from when it comes to seamless gutters. Finally, the cost is another thing to keep in mind.

Whether you need new seamless gutters, gutter repair, gutter cleaning or gutter guards, we hope you will contact us at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. We serve a majority of Western Kentucky. For a FREE ESTIMATE, give us a call today at (270) 906-3055!

School is back in session. With autumn on its way, there are several things you need to do to get your home prepared for the fall and winter season, with gutter maintenance and gutter cleaning on the forefront. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top four tips to prepare your gutters for the fall season.

1. Thoroughly clean your gutters
   
   No one likes to do it, but gutter maintenance is a chore that needs to be done. The best tip to get ready for fall is to clean your gutters thoroughly. This could mean spending a weekend climbing the ladder and getting every last seed, pod, twig, leaf, and other foliage debris from the trough of the gutter as well as the downspout of the gutter. When fall arrives, you may have to perform gutter maintenance at least once a month and possibly twice a month if the leaves are especially falling. If you have a lot of trees near your house, you may want to consider having Gutter Boyz of Kentucky come out and install gutter guards to help reduce the need for constant gutter cleaning.
   
2. Do an inspection
   
   The next important tip to realize is to inspect your gutters often. This will save you a bundle in the end. When it is nice out in the late summer or early fall, climb on your ladder and inspect your gutters and downspouts. Are they sagging or pulling away from the house? Are the seams starting to split? Are they full of debris? Is the downspout loose? By inspecting your gutters and then properly maintaining or replacing them as needed, you will save yourself stress and aggravation as well as money in the near future. In lieu of climbing on a latter and to reduce the risk of injury to yourself from a fall, you might consider giving us a call at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky. We will be happy to come our and perform a professional gutter inspection for you.
   
3. Trim branches
   
   Another tip to prepare your gutter for the fall season is to trim back any branches from the gutters or that might be touching your roof. Trees and branches grow over the summer months and can be directly over your troughs. When the wind blows, the leaves and seeds are falling straight into the gutters and clogging them up. Make sure to trim back those branches late this summer to prepare them for the fall season ahead!
   
4. Hire a professional
   
   The last essential tip to prepare your gutters for fall is to hire a professional. A professional gutter services team like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, can investigate what issues you have with your gutters and repair them as necessary. If you do not have the time to clean the gutters yourself, be sure to give us a call as well.

As you can see, there are many ways to get your home’s gutter system ready for the fall season. When you perform gutter cleaning or gutter maintenance to your gutters this fall, you will be ready for any thunderstorms that occur. If you follow our advice on the top four tips to prepare your gutters for the fall season you will be ready for autumn when it arrives!

If you need any type of professional gutter service, please give us a call today at (270) 906-3055 for a FREE Estimate!

Gutters are one of the first lines of protection against the elements. Sure, the roof may bear the brunt of a pounding rain, ice or snow, but it’s the gutters’ job to make sure that water moves off of the roof and away from the house. And there can be a lot of water. One inch of rain on a 1,500-square-foot roof produces about 935 gallons of water.

If that water just rolled over the side of the roof and down the wall of the house, it could make its way into the building. Water that hits the ground at the base of the wall can cause wet basements or weaken the foundation. The soil in planting beds near the wall could erode, or the plants themselves could be damaged. Houses need gutters and downspouts that are in good working order.

Many times, it is difficult to tell whether your gutters are working as they should because they often malfunction when the weather is at its worst, which is not an ideal time to perform a gutter inspection. But gutters that need to be replaced leave behind clues.

Here are some things to look for to determine whether you have a gutter problem. Some problems can be repaired, but others call for replacement. A qualified gutter installer, like Gutter Boyz of Kentucky, can help you make the determination.

Visible Sagging or Separating

Sometimes the condition of a problem gutter is obvious, such as one that is loose and pulled away from the house or visibly sagging in the middle of a run.

Other problems are not so obvious. Some gutters are installed in sections, and any seams or joints can be vulnerable to leaks. Search for small openings in joints and seams from below using binoculars. Look for discoloration around gutter joints.

If you can observe your gutters during a storm, say from a second-floor window that overlooks a first-floor gutter or even from watching the water coming out of a downspout, you may be able to spot potential problems. If the water in the gutter is not moving, or if very little is flowing out of the downspout, you may have a clog somewhere in the system. Clogs are easy to remove. But the water may not be flowing because the gutters are not sloped correctly. That causes backups and should be attended to by a gutter installer.

Damage to the House

Leaking or overflowing gutters will eventually lead to damage on the house. Look for peeling paint or water marks on fascia—the board that covers the ends of the roof rafters and the attachment point for most gutters— and soffit areas, which are the undersides of a roof overhang. Peeling paint and water marks on the siding near the top of the wall are also signs of leaks.

Look for signs of rot on any areas under a gutter, especially trim pieces around windows and doors and on corner boards. These can be caused by overflowing gutters.

Problems on the Ground

Overflowing or leaking gutters over foundation plantings can produce telltale dirty splash marks on the bottom of the wall. You may also see divots in the bed’s soil or mulch.

If you suspect a leak, check in either the basement or, if the house is built on a slab, the area near the bottom of the interior ground-level wall. Wet marks are a sure sign that a leaky gutter is saturating the ground and the water is making its way inside the house. Also check for mold or mildew in these areas, especially if there was not a problem in the past.

Gutters play an important role in keeping water away from our homes. It is important to have leaky gutters repaired or replaced as soon as you spot a problem.

If you think you need new gutters, Gutter Boyz of Kentucky is your one-stop shop for all things gutter related. Give us a call today for a FREE ESTIMATE at (270) 366-9055.

An Intro to Seamless Gutters

Perhaps you keep hearing us talk about “seamless gutters” but you really don’t know what that means.  Think of a piece of your home that keeps everything running smoothly, but goes unnoticed. Think of a continuous system with no weak points. Think of the difference between excellent home maintenance and sub-par home maintenance.

Seamless gutters are the modern solution to the age-old problem of water diversion. One-piece equals zero leaks. Where before gutters consisted of several parts fit together by joints and hinges to form a system, now just one custom piece gets the job done.

The benefits of seamless gutter are both functional and aesthetic. When combined with quality installation and “set it and forget it” that Gutter Boyz of Kentucky offers, seamless gutters are an option worth considering for any home or business location.

Before Seamless Gutters Arrived

In the past, gutters came in pieces, and those pieces had to be assembled in order to form a gutter system. These pieces were mass-produced by the manufacturers and usually were between 6 and 10 feet in length.

In this system, the pieces are held together by joints or hinges. The problem is that the connection points are weak and vulnerable within the gutter system. To put it into simple terms, two pieces can come apart more easily than one piece can break.

That vulnerability leads to several problems over time. One of the most obvious issues that homeowners discover is a leaky gutter. The wear and tear from rains, tough winters, and animals takes its toll on an already vulnerable gutter. Remember, these gutters don’t get shelter from the storm – they are the shelter.

Even if a traditional gutter avoids leaks, a clog can be just as problematic. If the clog isn’t caused by debris, it might be a result of frozen water within. The ice expands and puts pressure on the gutter, and that pressure could cause it to split apart at the points where its pieces connect.

What are Seamless Gutters

The term “seamless” has grown exponentially more popular in the Internet age. It literally means “without seams” or “smooth and continuous, with no apparent gaps or spaces between one part and the next”.

For gutters, “seamless” refers to gutter systems that are comprised entirely of one piece and therefore containing no joints or points of connection between pieces. No pieces, no joints, no screws, and no points of weakness. 

Benefits of Seamless Gutters

The most basic benefit of the seamless gutter is that there are no joints, hinges, or other miscellaneous parts. Custom-made gutters are crafted to the exact dimensions of your home, accounting for the nuances of its construction.  As a result, the benefits include:

• Lower likelihood of leaks, cracks, and sagging gutters since there are no hinges or joints
• No extra materials to pay for or have lying around
• Sleek and attractive design of the one-piece gutter improves the aesthetics of your home.
• Lower risk of clogs.

If you are in need of new gutters, gutter repairs, gutter cleaning or gutter guards, CONTACT US at Gutter Boyz of Kentucky by calling (270) 906-3055 for a free estimate!