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The Truth About Gutter Covers And Gutter Guards

UNKNOWN — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:46:59 +0000

The Truth About Gutter Covers And Gutter Guards
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards]Terry Edwards

Now that it is fall, like me, your mailbox has probably seen its fair share of ads all telling you to install gutter covers or gutter guards to keep the falling leaves from clogging your rain gutters. But, are these guards really necessary? More importantly, are they cost effective? Here’s a closer look to help you discover the truth.

There is no doubt that gutter cleaning is important for any homeowner. Leaves, dirt, twigs, sediment and other items can clog your gutters and downspouts and create other expenses if left unchecked.

This is where companies have stepped in with gutter covers and gutter guards that will supposedly prevent you from having to ever clean your rain gutters again. That sounds like great news until you discover the sky high costs of these systems.

It can easily cost anywhere from $1500-$2000+ for the average home to have these gutter covers installed on their roofs.

I will say that if you are a do-it-yourselfer, you could install wire screens over your gutter system for less than $250 on the average home.

Now, consider what it will cost to have a gutter contractor or company come out to have a gutter contractor or company come out to clean your gutter every year? In most cases it is $75 – $100 for the job. Let’s say you need it done twice a year. That’s $200 per year versus spending $2000 or more on gutter guards.

Next, beyond the expense factor, consider whether these covers or guards will actually work? The only system I’ve seen that really does what it advertises to do is the Gutter Helmet. Unfortunately, the cost is out of reach for most people with prices of $18 – $20 per foot being the norm.

Why do gutter covers or Gutter Guards fail? Because, while they all block off large twigs and leaves from getting inside the channel, the smaller debris seeps in and begins to settle, eventually clogging the gutter.

Gutter covers are a great idea and you may want to have them installed on your home, but for most people you may be better off getting them cleaned each year and saving your money.

By the way, you can learn more about [http://www.GuttersA-z.com/Gutter_Covers_And_Gutter_Guards.html]Gutter Covers And Gutter Guards as well as much more information on all types of gutters and downspouts at http://www.GuttersA-Z.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Truth-About-Gutter-Covers-And-Gutter-Guards&id=787633

Technorati Tags: Gutter Covers, Gutter Guards

How Gutter Guards and Leaf Guards Work

UNKNOWN — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:33:59 +0000

How Gutter Guards and Leaf Guards Work
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_Kuhns]Richard Kuhns

Gutter Guards and Leaf Guards (except for screen devices) work by the principle of surface adhesion.

You’ll notice that all gutter covers or gutter protectors have in common a solid top through which nothing passes. And this top usually sits some distance above the gutter itself.

Somehow the water that flows from the roof onto the top of the gutter guard or gutter cover must get into the gutter. Reason says that the water would come to the front of the gutter cover and just fly off into space. And if the gutter cover were simply flat from front to back, that would be the result.

To keep this from happening, the manufacturers of gutter covers designed a curved (arcurate) surface at the front most part of the gutter cover.

If you’ve ever poured water from a pitcher and had it trickle down the side of the pitcher instead of pouring into a cup or some vessel, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The surface tension of water causes it to stick to the curved surface.

Thus as the water flows from the back to the front of the flat surface of the gutter cover, it adheres to the downward curved portion of the gutter cover and into the gutter.

Obviously there needs to be a space between the edge of the curved surface and the front edge of the gutter otherwise there wouldn’t be room for the water to enter. This space is usually a quarter to three-eight’s of an inch in width.

In the following explanation of how these systems work please forgive me for using the abreviations for the product names as opposed to their registered trademarks as I do not have permission to use the trade marks. G as in GH and GT stands for “gutter” and H stands for “helmet.” Below L stands for “leaf” and G as in LG stands for “guard”. T as in GT stands for “top” and “per” as one word. And with LP. L stands for Leaf and P for Proof.

The less sophisticated gutter covers, like GH, only have one long curved surface (fin or louver) to guide the water into the gutter. The disadvantage is that not only water sticks to the curved surface, but so do leaves and spring time debris which results in clogging of the gutters inside.

Another thing to consider is the radius or size of the curvature. The larger the radius, the larger the flow of water that the gutter protector will accomodate. Likewise, the smaller the curvature or radius, the lesser the flow of water that the product will handle. Thus some of these Gutter Covers or leaf guards like LP don’t work in heavy rain falls.

Some gutter covers and gutter guards work with a combination of designs. In addition to the curved fin, they have a trough as in the GT product. The downward curved fin delivers the water to a trough with sieve-like openings. The goal here is to keep the debris that follows the curve from entering the gutter in full size form. Unfortunately, in mid to heavy debris conditions, the debris fills the trough or breaks down and still enters the gutter in sufficient quantity as to clog the Gutters.

The most advanced design of gutter cover or gutter protector combines the downward curved surface with two rows of louvers. Each louver is three-fourths of an inch in length. This gutter guard is known as the Waterloov Gutter Protection System. Water flows downward from the large open curved surface, which handles both light and heavy rainfalls, and into the first row of louvers. The rain water that is not collected by the first row of louvers flows down from the bridge between the first row of louvers into the second row of louvers.

With the Waterloov Gutter Protection system, nothing larger than three-fourths of an inch can pass into the gutter. Any debris that small which enters the gutter is small enough to be flushed down the leader so that gutters remain free flowing and never clog.

With this distinct advantage of the Waterloov Gutter Protector design, one would wonder why anyone would ever select any other gutter guard.

Richard Kuhns B.S.Ch.E. CEO and founder of the Waterloov Gutter Cover Co.

Manufacturer of [http://www.waterloov.com/]leaf guards that make all
gutters self cleaning gutters. To find out more please visit [http://www.waterloov.com/]http://www.waterloov.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Kuhns http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Gutter-Guards-and-Leaf-Guards-Work&id=2051289

Technorati Tags: Gutter Guards, leaf guards

Preventing Ice Dams – Gutter Brush Gutter Guards

UNKNOWN — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:32:36 +0000

http://www.gutterbrush.com – Snow / Ice / Heating Cables

are typically the result of improper insulation resulting in a “warm roof.” Snow melts on the roof and water trickles down near the rain gutter/eave area where it freezes again and builds up as a block of ice.

GutterBrush Gutter Guard will have no effect on this process, but when the sun comes out, the black GutterBrush Gutter Guard bristles absorb heat and have been reported to promote quicker melting of any ice build up.

GutterBrush can also be used to protect your rain Gutters safely with gutter and roof heating cables.

Plus by using Gutterbrush your gutters won’t get clogged with debris that causes unprotected gutters to pool with rain water and freeze.

Duration : 0:0:56

Technorati Tags: cleaning, Gutter Guards, ice, ice dam, snow, Winter

Leaf Filter Reviews | LeafFilter Gutter Protection Testimonial from Stu

UNKNOWN — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:04:48 +0000

http://www.leaffilter.com Leaf Filter Reviews from Stu, a LeafFilter customer. During his review, Stu explains how LeafFilter Gutter Protection keeps his gutters clean and keeps him off his roof — thanks to LeafFilter, he no longer needs to climb up a ladder, get on his roof, or worry about cleaning Gutters.

Duration : 0:0:56

Technorati Tags: best gutter guards, clogged gutters, DIY Gutter guard, Gutter Covers, gutter filter, Gutter Guard, Gutter Guard Comparison, Gutter Guard FAQs, gutter guard installation, Gutter Guards, gutter protection, gutter screens, gutter topper, Leaf Filter Reviews, Micro Guard Leaf System, Rain Gutter Filter, rain gutter guards, Reverse Curve Gutter Guards

Leaf Filter Reviews | LeafFilter Gutter Protection Testimonial from Ralph

UNKNOWN — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:23:47 +0000

http://www.leaffilter.com Leaf Filter Reviews from Ralph, a LeafFilter customer. Ralph tried and tried and tried to prove that LeafFilter was not as good as claimed when he talked with a LeafFilter representative. But the product was so dependable. Ralph even researched LeafFilter and fellow customer reviews online — and was happy with the reviews and comments he found. Ralph is now a very happy LeafFilter Gutter Protection customer!

Website: http://www.LeafFilter.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LeafFilter

Duration : 0:1:22

Leaf Filter Reviews | LeafFilter Gutter Protection Testimonial from Regina and Gary

UNKNOWN — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 03:23:55 +0000

http://www.leaffilter.com Leaf Filter Reviews from Regina and Gary, happy LeafFilter customers. During their review, Gary and Regina explains why they felt the LeafFilter Gutter Protection System was the best choice — thanks to LeafFilter, Gary no longer needs to climb up a ladder, get on his roof, or worry about cleaning Gutters.

Duration : 0:1:51

Leaf Filter Reviews | LeafFilter Gutter Protection Testimonial from Pam

UNKNOWN — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:40:25 +0000

http://www.leaffilter.com Leaf Filter Reviews from Pam, a very pleased LeafFilter customer. During her review, Pam shares how she was tired of cleaning Gutters and led her to choose the LeafFilter Gutter Protection System — Pam no longer has to worry about the how and when of gutter cleaning!

Website: http://www.LeafFilter.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LeafFilter

Duration : 0:2:25

Leaf Filter Reviews | LeafFilter Gutter Protection Testimonial from Anne

UNKNOWN — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:37:11 +0000

http://www.leaffilter.com Leaf Filter Reviews from Anne, a LeafFilter customer. Anne and her husband were not happy with the previous gutter guard being used at their house. And recently experience a bad winter storm with some ice damage. They looked to LeafFilter Gutter Protection for a worry-free solution. Anne shares her story of what it was like to work with LeafFilter!

Website: http://www.LeafFilter.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LeafFilter

Duration : 0:2:11

Leaf Filter Reviews | LeafFilter Gutter Protection Testimonial from Don

UNKNOWN — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:52:39 +0000

http://www.leaffilter.com Leaf Filter Reviews from Don, a LeafFilter customer. Don reviews his experience of working with LeafFilter Gutter Protection. LeafFilter was able to step in an help Don by removing his existing Gutters because they were beyond repair, and then remove the previously installed Gutter Helmet system. The Gutter Helmet had to be removed because Don’s gutters kept clogging. Don is now a very happy LeafFilter Gutter Protection customer!

Duration : 0:1:46

Leaf Terminator Gutter Protection System

UNKNOWN — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:09:14 +0000

Video Showing the benefits of have Leaf Terminator installed on your Gutters. Video also shows the dangers of cleaning out your gutters.

Duration : 0:5:30

Technorati Tags: clogged gutters, Gutter Guards, gutter protection, gutter screens, leaf protection, leaf screens, Overflowing Gutters, Plugged Gutters