With the local community ensconced in oak trees, here’s how to keep your gutters clean and end gutter cleaning forever

By Mimi Vanderhaven

One of the first things you’ll notice when researching gutter guards in Northeast Ohio are the Google reviews for The Gutter Boys. As of this writing, there were 468 of them with an average rating of 4.8 stars. And unlike some large companies that pay for reviews, every one of these is organic.

“We don’t believe in playing those kinds of games,” says company founder Anthony Alberino. “We offer the top-rated gutter cover in the nation and we have smart, experienced and compassionate employees. Everything else takes care of itself.”

When Anthony says his firm offers the top-rated gutter cover, it isn’t just his opinion. NCR Consumer Advocacy Group—the nation’s largest publisher of independent third-party testing, ratings and reviews for the gutter cover and home improvement industry—has ranked Valor Gutter Guards number one in all categories it measures: value, effectiveness, industry reputation, strength, water throughput, durability and “overall.” And not only is The Gutter Boys the exclusive dealer for Valor in Northeast Ohio, they were the number one Valor dealer in the U.S. in 2020, installing more than 60 miles of the top-ranked product.

• 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 for 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-transferrable, lifetime warranty.

Gutters: An Utter Necessity
Unlike many home maintenance projects, keeping your gutters flowing freely isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially here in Cleveland’s outer suburbs where oak trees abound. Overflowing gutters can lead to flooded basements and foundation damage, not to mention aesthetic issues like zebra stripes on your fascia and mulch spattered on your home’s siding.

“A properly-functioning gutter system sends thousands of gallons of roof runoff safely away from your home, so you have to keep them clean,” Anthony says. “We clean many miles of gutters every year, but it is a dirty and dangerous job. It’s far better to have your gutters covered.”

In addition to cleaning and covering gutters, The Gutter Boys also repairs them, including dented, broken or damaged gutters as well as hanging, fallen or missing downspouts. “With our component replacement system, we can replace just the damaged section without replacing the entire system,” Anthony explains.

Meet the Team: Jim Wilson
Gutter specialist Jim Wilson came into the gutter industry from home care nursing, where his job was to educate patients about their disease process. Prior to that he worked in hospice, caring for people who were in crisis.

“More than anything, the health care industry taught me how to listen and to identify needs,” Jim says. “Although helping people keep their gutters flowing freely is less emotional than the end of life, it can be very stressful when your gutters are clogged and water is pouring into your basement.”

You may have heard of Jim over the winter. He was in the news when his daughter was seriously injured in a sledding accident at Hinckley Hill. Although she still has not regained movement below her chest, Jim says her spirits are good. “She’s handling it a lot better than me,” he says.

A Medina resident, Jim and his wife have 10 children—two biological sons and eight children adopted from the Philippines.

“Everyone says I’m low-pressure,” he adds, “because I’m not trying to make a sale; I’m just trying to educate people about gutters and proper water flow. That may be true, but I don’t want high-pressure in my life so I assume my customers don’t want it in their lives either. In this job, I can go home at the end of the day and be there for my family. I no longer have to spend my evenings charting and calling doctors.”

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.