Gutters provide a clean-looking edge around your roofline, but their purpose is more than decorative. Their importance is easy to overlook --- if they are functioning properly. But when a gutter is blocked or leaking, you'll quickly notice its significance in keeping your home intact and fre...

Using renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint is important for the health of the planet. Graves Brothers Home Improvement is doing our part by offering solar panel roofs to our customers in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. How Does a Solar-Panel Roof Work? A solar panel roo...

The challenges of a poorly insulated home can manifest in many different ways. High energy bills, drafty rooms, uneven heating and cooling, and icicles on your roof are just a few. It is important that you know the cause of these issues, and the first step is to meet with a professional. The...

What Is a Home Performance Audit? High energy bills, drafty rooms, dampness, and uneven temperatures are all symptoms of larger issues. Your home works as a system, so putting a band-aid over one thing may not fix the source. A Graves Brothers Home Performance Audit is a review of your home...

Automatic Backup Generator FAQ In Western New York, our winters can be unpredictable and problematic. Power outages are common --- and when they occur, everyone wishes they had a generator. Graves Bros. Home Improvement has collected our most frequently asked questions to help you decide if...

Have you given any thought to your insulation? If your insulation is old or inadequate, you may have felt the effects --- and not known that your insulation was the problem. Graves Bros. Home Improvement has put together a list of signs that you may not realize indicate issues with your insulati...

Hail causes about $1 billion in damage to buildings, cars, houses, and crops in the US every year. You may have noted damage to your car or siding, but have you had your roof checked? How Hail Damages Your Roof Hailstones are formed when raindrops are blown upward into an extremely cold at...

At Graves Bros. Home Improvement Co., we get lots of questions about solar panels. We thought it would be helpful to collect some of the most frequently asked questions and answer them here for you. Solar-Panel Roofing FAQ 1. How Does a Solar-Panel Roof Work? Solar panels are made up of...

Is there anyone out there who hasn't heard of a handyman or a general contractor? These are pretty well-known professions, especially if you're a homeowner. Do you know which occupation is better for one job as opposed to another, though? There are differences between the two that you...

Do-it-yourself wisdom is abundant in books, online, and on TV, including instructions on how to put on a roof. All of this should prove very helpful -- that is, if you're hoping to be more informed about how to do roofing and what the roofers you hire are doing. If you plan to install the ne...

Types of Siding to Consider for Your WNY Home When properly cared for, your home siding can last anywhere from twenty to over forty years -- depending on the material, installation quality, wear and tear, and other factors. It's a good thing siding improvements are ongoing, too. There are...

Spring just arrived, so we should all be getting ready to inspect our roofs, attic and gutters for missing shingles, wear and tear, cracks, clogs, and mold growth. Winters in Western New York bring below-freezing temperatures, heavy snow, ice, and wind, all of which can lead to major problems...

Finding a contractor to fix or replace your roof can be a daunting task. When it comes to something as costly as a roof replacement, we want to know that we're hiring the best of the best. Hiring a local roofing contractor has unique advantages. Below are 5 benefits to keep in mind when choo...

Every homeowner at some point will experience roof damage. With regular maintenance and taking care of minor problems as they arise, replacing your roof should be scheduled, rather than needed, to solve a major problem. Not all home improvement decisions are cut and dry. It's sometimes ac...

Winters in the Northeast can bring sudden, unpredictable weather. Freezing temperatures, blizzards, sleet, and freezing rain all have an impact on your home's exterior and for some, their interior. Whether you are a homeowner, commercial property owner, or property manager, you can take step...

Are you feeling a draft? Do you have fog or condensation between the window panes in your home? Are the frames around your windows rotting? If you answered yes to any of these, it may be time to update your windows. With so many choices out on the market, the decision to purchase replacement...

Roof leaks are never fun. Not only will it cost you time and money, but it'll cost you a lot of wasted energy as well. No one wants to go running for a bucket every time it rains or snows. Roof leaks occur on both old and new roofs. In an effort to save you time and energy trying to figur...

Purchasing cheap replacement windows isn't always the best option. We've all heard that replacement windows are more efficient than old ones, but will buying cheap replacement windows pay for themselves? One would argue that energy costs will stay the same and to avoid investing in repla...

If you're looking for a more environmentally friendly way to use energy, you've come to the right place. Solar panels help produce electricity from sunlight, which can then be used in your home. By going solar, you can reduce the demand for fossil fuels, limit greenhouse gas emissions...

Considering filing a homeowners insurance claim for a damaged roof? Homeowners insurance may cover your roof repairs if a fallen tree damages it. Your policy may also cover roof damage caused by fire, a hurricane, or a tornado. Below are other things to consider when it comes to homeowners...

One of the most expensive home improvement projects that is necessary to get done is putting a new roof on your home. It's one of those projects you can't skimp on. Roofing contractors look at several variables to determine the price of a new roof, including its size, pitch, accessibilit...

One of the biggest challenges homeowners face when looking to fix or replace their roof is choosing the right roofing contractor to do the job. Never choose the first contractor you come in contact with. Always do your research and find a contractor who is trustworthy, reliable, and professional...

Are you in the market for a new roof? Not sure where to start? Consider these tips when choosing a new or replacement roof. What type of roofing material should I choose? Not every roofing material can be used on the roof of your home. More often than not, if you are remodeling, the...

Many of us don't think twice about cleaning or even checking our roofs every season, unless, that is, we notice a leak. Winter is finally over and whether or not you had your roof thoroughly inspected, it's time to do so now. Below are 7 things you should do to your roof when the warm we...

Many homeowners believe that once a roof has been installed, no further action is required. They believe the warranty will provide a solution to performance problems. In actuality, warranties specify that the owner is obligated to maintain the roof properly. With winter already here, you shou...

It's important to learn more about replacement windows prior to investing in them. Below are 8 questions and answers you should know before making an investment in replacement windows. 1. How do you know when your windows need to be updated? Take a look at each window in your hom...

Winter hasn't quite started yet, but the snow is falling and the temperatures are dropping. As a homeowner, you may not think it's a good time to tackle home improvement projects, but believe it or not, they don't have to wait until the warmer weather arrives. Graves Brothe...

Has your bathroom been updated lately? Your bathroom is one of the easiest places for creating style and functionality in your home. Generally, the average bathroom is basic and simple, white and boring, with no obvious personality. Today, that's no longer the case. With many mater...

Fall is the season when gutters are cleaned in preparation for the cold and wet months ahead. There would be far less property damage if more homeowners and property managers knew the best way to clean out their gutters. Cleaning gutters properly also results in fewer injuries and deat...

Just like your roof, siding is an important investment for your home. It also has many more purposes other than enhancing your curb appeal. It protects and insulates, but also has an environmental impact. It also costs so much less than other material options like wood, stucco, brick, stone, and...