FAQ

Q) How does a Leafproof® Gutter Protection System work?

A) Leafproof® is a solid aluminum gutter cover that works on the principle of surface tension. Surface tension can best be visualized by slightly tipping a glass of water and watching the water run down the side of the glass.

Surface tension keeps water flowing into the gutter over an angle that debris cannot follow.

Leafproof® makes surface tension work for the homeowner. The patented “S” bend causes the water flow to reverse and churn, which slows the momentum of the water as it comes off the roof. The “S” bend also permits the portion of the Leafproof® panel that covers the gutter to be installed at a fairly level slope. This reduces the speed of the water even more. As a result, when the water flow reaches Leafproof®’s water channel, the water flow once again reverses and drains into the gutter.

Q) How does Leafproof® prevent leaves and other debris from entering the gutter?
A) If you view Leafproof® from directly above, you cannot see Leafproof®’s water channel. When the flow of water reaches the point directly above the water channel, the flow will reverse direction, as a result of surface tension, and the water will drain into the gutter. Most debris will not follow this reversal, or is blown off the roof by the wind when dry.

Q) Will a very heavy rain overflow Leafproof®?
A) No. When properly installed, Leafproof® Gutter Protection  Systems will handle the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in one hour in America (11 inches). Rainfall this heavy is an extremely rare and dangerous occurrence. (If it is raining this hard, you will not be concerned about your gutters, you will be wondering if there is any room on the “ark”!) In fact, most gutter systems will overflow with 3 to 4 inches of rainfall per hour. Therefore, manufacturers that advertise their gutter cover can handle 21 inches of rain an hour are misleading, because most gutters cannot handle this amount of rainfall.

Q) Will Leafproof® work on roofs with steep pitches?
A) Yes, Leafproof®’s patented “S” bend and design will reduce the water’s speed and permit the water to enter the water channel without overflow.

Q) Is it important that a gutter cover has a pre-set water channel?
A) Yes, some gutter covers drain the water through a gap between the cover and front lip of the gutter. In many instances, the front lip of the gutter has been slightly bent or damaged through normal wear, which causes the width and size of the gap to vary. This opening creates the potential for birds or debris to enter the gutter.

Q) Can squirrels or birds enter and build nests?
A) No. Leafproof® is made from aluminum, not vinyl. Therefore squirrels and birds cannot chew or peck through a section of Leafproof®. Additionally, unlike some “all-in-one gutter and gutter covers,” birds cannot enter through the water channel, because the opening is too small.

Q) How can Leafproof® be cleaned from the ground?
A) On RARE occasions, Leafproof’s® water channel may trap some debris. This debris will be visible from the ground. Using a hose with a high-pressure nozzle, the water channel can easily be cleared of the visible debris.

Q) Why is it important that a homeowner be able to clean a gutter cover from the ground?
A) Any product that is placed on the exterior of a home will require some maintenance. For example, windows and vinyl siding must be cleaned. Gutter covers are not an exception. Gutter cover manufacturers that claim their product is maintenance-free and will never clog are simply not stating the truth. Leafproof® is the only gutter cover on the market that is installed under the first row of shingles and allows you to perform this necessary maintenance without climbing on a ladder or standing on your roof.

Q) Is Leafproof® nailed or screwed into the roof or fascia?
A) No. Leafproof® simply slides under the first row of shingles and the front is securely attached to the gutter lip. Products that are nailed or screwed into the roof may cause serious damage to your roof and may void many roofing warranties.

Q) Why is it important that the gutter cover fits under the first row of shingles?
A) The difference in the height of a gutter cover that fits under the second row instead of the first row of shingles on a 5/12-pitch roof is approximately 1–1⁄2 inches. This difference in height means that the gutter cover is much more visible, which detracts from the appearance of the home.

Leafproof® fits securely under the first row of your existing shingles, and will provide a more finished look to your home’s exterior.

Q) Why is Leafproof® installation more expensive than a traditional gutter installation?
A) Leafproof® is custom-installed to fit your roof pitch, while most gutters can be formed and measured to length at the job site. Since Leafproof® must be installed under the shingle, a long run of Leafproof® would be very difficult, if not impossible, to install. Therefore, Leafproof® is manufactured and installed using four-foot sections. If gutters were installed four feet at a time, their cost would significantly increase, too.

Q) Will Leafproof® cause ice dam issues?

A) No. In fact, Leafproof® helps prevent ice dams. When heat from a house melts the snow on the roof, the melted snow flows into the gutters where it freezes again. Over time, the gutters get too full of ice for the melted snow to drain properly. Then, the melted snow leaks into the roof space where it damages the ceilings, walls, roof structure, and insulation.

With Leafproof®, the gutters stay clear of ice and snow accumulation, so the melted snow can drain out of the gutters without freezing and causing ice buildup.  Since the gutters are open, the melted snow will not flow over the back edge of the gutter and leak into the roof space, preventing ice damming.

Q) Are more expensive products better than Leafproof®?
A) No. Leafproof® is the only product on the market that: fits existing gutters; is installed under the first row of shingles; is not screwed into your roof or fascia; and can be cleaned from the ground. Competing products are more expensive because increased installation time greatly adds to the cost OR your existing gutters must be replaced. Although some gutter covers can handle more rain than Leafproof®, this advantage is purely academic; your gutter will overflow before it will rain harder than the amount of water flow Leafproof® can easily handle.

Q) Why is Leafproof® superior to other gutter protection products?
A) Leafproof® is the only gutter protection product on the market today that: fits existing gutters; can be maintained from the ground; is not screwed into the roof or fascia; and is securely installed under the first row of shingles. There are other gutter covers on the market that work in a similar manner. However, these gutter covers do not have Leafproof’s patented “S” bend. This means these covers must be installed under the second row of shingles, and are often screwed or nailed into the roof.