Fall is here and with the beautiful scenery nature paints across the region comes the pesky falling leaves that clog homes’ gutters.
Gutters play an important role in capturing rainwater from a home’s roof and carrying it away safely into a downspout — away from a home’s fascia, soffit and foundation. Without a gutter system, the home is susceptible to additional water entering the home, which can cause hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars in damage, says Cliff Miller, general manager of LeafGuard Chicago.
Most open gutters today are seamless, while in the past they were assembled in 10-foot sections and seamed together with adhesive and screws or pop-rivets.
“Over time, these lap-seams leak due to expansion and contraction and the adhesive drying and cracking,” Miller says.
While seamless open gutters eliminate the lap-seam leaks, typical open gutters collect leaves, twigs and other organic debris that can cause them to clog during rainstorms — causing water to run over, not through the gutter.
“As the front and back of ordinary gutters are even in height, the water running over the front of a clogged gutter also runs over the back of the gutter, which is attached to your home,” Miller says. “Over time, this can cause major fascia and soffit issues, as well as the chance of water leaking into the home.”
Over the years, several products have been produced to stop gutters from clogging, from screens to filters. Most of these products, however, simply move the leaves and debris from inside the gutter to the top, Miller says.
“This creates a shelf that collects debris,” he says. “In fact, sometimes so much debris is on top of the gutter that even water has a hard time entering the gutter — certainly, not an effective debris removal system.”
The LeafGuard Residential Gutter System, however, not only allows water to flow into the gutter while at the same time removing debris, but also increases a home’s value, Miller says.
“Its patented one-piece design integrates the gutter and a curved hood that uses the scientific principle of liquid adhesion to allow water to flow into the gutter while leaves and debris are deflected away from the gutter trough,” he says.
LeafGuard gutters are securely fastened to the fascia board by internal, non-corrosive brackets. The roof and shingles are unaffected, and with no movable parts, the LeafGuard system provides protection against wind and storm damage. Because LeafGuard gutters are made of heavy-duty aluminum — 20 percent thicker than ordinary gutters — they’re durable, Miller says.
No more clogs. No more pests. No more dreaded gutter cleaning. No gutter pull-away or rall-off due to ice or snow buildup. That’s the guarantee that has earned LeafGuard the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
For more information, call 708-377-5337. All employees are background checked, drug screened and factory trained professionals.
LeafGuard Chicago is located at 161 Tower Drive, Unit H, Burr Ridge.
