How does LeafProof®
work?
Patented “S”
Bend Technology
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.
Leafproof
makes surface tension work for you, 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 which 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.
How
does LeafProof® prevent leaves and other debris from entering
the gutter?
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.
Will a very heavy rain overflow LeafProof®?
No. When properly installed, LeafProof® 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 between 3 to 4 inches
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.
Will LeafProof® work on roofs
with steep pitches?
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.
Is it important
that a gutter cover have a pre-set water channel?
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 in size.
This opening creates the potential for birds or debris to enter
the gutter.
Can
squirrels or birds enter and build nests?
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.
How can LeafProof®
be cleaned from the ground?
On
RARE occasions, LeafProof’s® water channel may trap some
debris. This debris will be visible from the ground and may be removed
using a hose with a high-pressure nozzle to clear the water channel
of the visible debris. Choosing Leafproof® with ChannelGuard
will virtually eliminate debris from getting trapped in the water
channel.
Why is it important
that a homeowner be able to clean a gutter cover from the ground?
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. The brand
new ChannelGuard option will significantly reduce the likelihood
of even the smallest debris from entering the pre-set water channel
making Leafproof with ChannelGuard the closest “Maintenance
free” gutter cover on the market today!
How does the new ChannelGuard option
work?
This exciting, optional piece is the most significant advancement
in gutter protection since the introduction of the “S”
bend.The patent-pending ChannelGuard option offers additional protection
against even the smallest debris. The ChannelGuard uses a “debris
fence” to keep small leaves, pine needles, seeds and virtually
all other debris out of the water channel. Leafproof with ChannelGuard
is the first and only gutter protection product designed to be virtually
maintenance free.
Is
LeafProof® nailed or screwed into the roof or fascia?
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.
Why is it important that the gutter
cover fits under the first row of shingles?
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 11⁄2 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.
Why
is LeafProof® installation more expensive than a traditional
gutter installation?
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.
Are more expensive products better
than LeafProof®?
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.
Why is LeafProof® superior to
other gutter protection products?
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.
Click here
to see how Leafproof is superior to other gutter protection products.
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