Clean and cover your gutters now to protect your flowerbeds, basement and foundation from summer and fall rains

By Mitch Allen

One of the most satisfying experiences I can have is sitting on my back porch during a thunderstorm and seeing no water overflowing my gutters. Compare that to just a couple of years ago—before I covered my gutters—when I would see Niagara Falls pour over my gutters to the point that I would break out the extension ladder during the storm to unclog the gutters by hand.

Of course, climbing a ladder in the pouring rain with lightning flashing all around is the very definition of foolishness. So don’t do it.

Instead, cover your gutters. Lots of homeowners have been doing it this year, due in part to the wet July.

“Our phones have been ringing off the hook,” says Anthony Alberino, founder of Northeast Ohio’s The Gutter Boys. “Traditionally, volume starts to slow down in mid-summer, but not this year. There’s been a lot of rain and homeowners are getting the message that overflowing gutters are a hazard, which can lead to a wet basement and foundation damage.”

Signs of Overflowing Gutters
If you’re not adventurous enough to sit outside during a thunderstorm to examine your gutters, there are other signs that you have an overflow problem. These include mulch washing out of your flowerbeds, matted down bedding plants, splash marks on your siding, debris and/or striping on the outside of your gutters.

“If you see any if these signs, it’s a good idea to have your gutters cleaned,” Anthony advises. “Better yet, cover them so no one ever has to clean them again.”

Anthony’s company offers Valor Gutter Guards, the top-rated gutter cover in the nation, and The Gutter Boys is the exclusive dealer for Valor in Northeast Ohio. Benefits include:

• A high-flow, stainless steel micro-mesh that lets water in but keeps debris out. Plus, a raised S-curve increases the surface area, allowing maximum water flow into the gutter and the self-shedding of debris.
• A vertical louvered frame improves drainage so—unlike horizontal frames—it cannot clog with moss or algae.
• The light-weight, aluminum frame won’t warp and doesn’t add extra weight.
• The cover is attached to the fascia, not the shingles, so it can’t void your roof warranty. This also adds structural integrity when covered in heavy ice.
• A fully-transferable, lifetime warranty.

The Gutter Boys is headquartered at 1090 West Bagley Road, in Berea. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and are bonded and insured. Call 440-671-7657 to schedule a free on-site consultation and estimate, or visit TheGutterBoys.com for more information. They also offer 12 months same-as-cash financing.