If you have a clogged gutter, call The Gutter Boys, who are trained in ladder safety and use them every day

By Mitch Allen

Last week, looking out of our upstairs bedroom window, I noticed a large hole at the top of one of the columns on the front of our brick Georgian home. (Yeah, “brick Georgian” sounds like we live in a mansion, but it’s just a small, 1958 colonial with the original pink tile in the upstairs bath. We call it “Mimi-pink.”)

“Probably a woodpecker,” I told my wife, but my son-in-law, the real estate broker, said otherwise.

“Too big. Squirrel,” he said, always a man of few words.

The next day, when my wife came home from work, she saw me exiting the garage with our extension ladder.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m going to patch the squirrel hole.”

“Uh, no you’re not.”

“Why not?”

“For the same reason you’re not allowed to clean the gutters.”

“Yeah, but it’s just one hole. I can do it!” I said, pumping my fist in the air.

Then she did that thing where she puts her hand on her hip and I knew the argument was over.

Each year in the U.S., there are more than 164,000 emergency room visits caused by falls from ladders, and most ladder deaths occur from falls less than 10 feet. Of course, the U.S. leads the world in ladder accidents because we suburban men think we’re rootin’ tootin’ home improvement cowboys with a this-town’s-not-big-enough-for-the-two-of-us mentality when it comes to taking on squirrels or other home maintenance foes, including clogged gutters.

If you have a clogged gutter, put down your six-shooter and call the sheriff, that is, someone who is trained in ladder safety and uses them every day.

Someone like The Gutter Boys.

A Dangerous Job
“Gutter cleaning is one of the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs in all of home improvement,” says The Gutter Boys founder Anthony Alberino. “But with training and experience—like our gutter specialists have—the job is much safer.”

Although The Gutter Boys clean and repair miles of gutters every year, they specialize in covering them. “Covering your gutters is the best and safest way to keep your gutter system flowing freely,” Anthony adds. “No one should have to clean gutters. That’s why our mantra is ‘end gutter cleaning forever.’”

But not all gutter covers are the same. Some brands quickly become clogged with debris or simply collapse and—voila—you’re right back on that ladder.

Anthony’s firm 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.

But that’s just part of the story.

Putting People First
A top-ranked product is just part of The Gutter Boys’ successful formula. Theirs is also a people business.

“Treating our customers fairly and with dignity and respect is paramount to our culture,” Anthony says. “There is a lot of smoke and mirrors in this industry, and separating the charlatans from the professionals isn’t always easy. Our customers tell us that the reason we usually win a bid is partly because we have the best product at the best price, but also because our people are the nicest.”

And being “nice” isn’t just about being polite. It’s also about being honest. “This year, when everyone seems to be raising their prices just because they can, we have not raised ours,” Anthony assures. “We’re not a high-pressure sales company looking for a one-time customer. We’re in this for the longterm.”

Caution: Science Ahead
If your inner geek wants to know the details of why the Valor Gutter Guard system is so effective, here they are (otherwise, skip this section and just call the number):

• A high-flow, stainless steel micro-mesh that lets water in but keeps debris out. This effect is enhanced because the mesh features a raised S-curve that 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. Plus, it’s attached with stainless steel screws that don’t rust.
• 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 440-454-7040 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.