CLOG-FREE GUTTERS - LeafGuard of Delmarva

THE TRUTH ABOUT
CLOG-FREE GUTTERS
Gutters are no fair-weather friends. On the contrary, these hardworking features protect your home on rainy days by channeling away
water and reducing the risk of serious problems like mold, pests, and flooding. The bad news is that in order to do their job properly,
gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year. Read on to learn about the risks associated with clogged gutters.
DANGERS
OF
CLOGGED GUTTERS
Gutters are designed to collect storm water and carry
it a safe distance away from the house. When clogs
compromise the ability of the gutter system to do this,
water can wreak havoc on many parts of the home
that were never intended to withstand exposure to
excess moisture. These are just some of the many
potential consequences of clogged gutters:
LADDER SAFETY
Ladder injuries are linked to between
200 and 300 deaths and an estimated
200,000 emergency-room visits each
year. Watch your step!
• Working near electrical lines? Use a sturdy Type 1A
extension ladder made of fiberglass.
• Set the ladder at an angle of 75 degrees and extend
it three feet beyond the roof edge.
• For balance, be sure to face the ladder at all times
when ascending or descending.
• Never go beyond the uppermost step
recommended for safe use of your chosen ladder.
• Important! When standing on a raised ladder, never
reach more than a foot to either side.
• Gutter discharge falls to the foundation, eroding the soil and threatening nearby landscaping.
• Rain freezes on paved areas, creating a safety hazard on high-traffic driveways and paths.
• Clogged gutters contribute to the formation of ice dams, which can ultimately lead to leaks.
• Storm water sops over the top of clogged gutters, leading to rot along and under the roofline.
• The weight of a clogged section pulls down a gutter, in the process damaging the fascia board.
• Storm water cascades over the siding, and the excess moisture causes exterior paint to peel.
• Standing water in clogged gutters becomes both a beacon and a breeding ground for pests.
• The saturated soil around the home presses against the foundation, causing cracks and gaps.
• Moisture near the foundation intrudes into the basement, giving rise to mold and mildew.
STAY SAFE! TO AVOID CLIMBING LADDERS
WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CONSIDER HIRING A
PROFESSIONAL TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS
OR INSTALL ANY LEAF PROTECTION SYSTEM.
GUTTER GUARDS
There is an alternative to frequent gutter cleaning—several, in fact. They're called gutter guards. These solutions do
exactly what their name implies—guard gutters and downspouts from leaves and debris. Some models attach to your
existing gutters, while others completely replace your current gutter system. All of them, to varying degrees, reduce
the amount of time you spend cleaning and maintaining your gutters.
T O D AY ' S
GUTTER GUARD
OPTIONS
SCREEN
FOAM
These metal gutter guards attach
to your existing gutters. Debris falls
on the screens rather than in the
gutter, ensuring proper water flow.
• Prevents large debris from
entering gutters
BRUSH
Large sponge-like inserts are
installed into the tops of gutters.
Rain soaks through the foam, and
flows through the gutters, while
debris collects on top.
• Prevents large and small
debris from entering gutters
• DIY installation
• Requires maintenance to clear
screens
• DIY installation
• Requires maintenance to clear
foam inserts
A series of long, cylindrical brushes
are placed inside gutters. They
allow water to pass through but
keep out debris.
• Prevents large debris from
entering gutters
• DIY installation
• Requires maintenance to clear
brushes
REVERSE CURVE
SURFACE TENSION
REVERSE CURVE
SURFACE TENSION
These aluminum guards attach to
the top of gutters to keep out
debris, allowing rain water to travel
along the curved surface of the
guards and into the gutter.
Installation may void roof warranty;
check yours before installing.
This aluminum one-piece system is
a gutter and cover formed in one
continuous piece that keeps out
leaves, twigs, and other debris while
allowing rainwater to flow around
the curved surface and into the
gutter. Will not void roof warranty.
• Prevents large and small
debris from entering gutters
• Prevents large and small
debris from entering gutters
• Pro installation
• Pro installation
• Requires some maintenance
• Requires minimal maintenance
(TOPPERS)
(ONE-PIECE SYSTEM)
SURFACE-TENSION SYSTEMS
Basic Info: A surface-tension system features a solid hood that blocks everything but water. Rain clings to
the hood, traveling around its curved lip, before falling into the gutter.
The Verdict: The best you can get, surface-tension systems stand out for their ability to effectively shed both
large (leaves, twigs) and small (seeds, blossoms, pine needles) debris.
Choose Wisely: While some surface-tension systems can fail in a heavy downpour, others can handle up to
32 inches of precipitation per hour—three times the U.S. rainfall record.
Maintenance Matters: To function properly, other options require regular care. Only surface-tension systems
deliver on the essential get-it-and-forget-it promise of gutter protection.
NON-SCRATCH
PAINT FINISH
RAINFALL
BACKED BY THE
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
SEAL
DESIGN
SEAMLESS
PENETRATES
ROOF OR
SHINGLES
One-Piece System
Yes
No
Yes
32 Inches/Hr
Yes
GUTTER HELMET
Add-On Cover
No, installed in sections
Yes
No
22 Inches/Hr
No
GUTTERTOPPER
Add-On Cover
No, installed in sections
Yes
No
22 Inches/Hr
No
LEAFFILTER
Add-On Screen
No, installed in sections
No
N/A
Not Available
No
LEAFGUARD