Making Gutters Work!

 

Unfortunately, standard gutters do not work! Raingutters live exposed to a messy world that continuously rains debris into them as well as water. In the course of collecting water they also collect leaves, acorns, pine needles, golf balls and other debris causing them to quickly clog up and overflow. Cleaning helps…but it’s dangerous work and you can spend hours cleaning only to learn that pristine gutters today can be clogged gutters overnight with a brisk wind and a shedding tree. A single wayward leaf blown into the gutters and sucked into the downspout can cause the whole thing to fail. 

 

In order for gutters to work when they are needed they must be fitted with a “protection” system that allows water to flow freely through while preventing debris from interrupting the flow. This “debris filtering” is the role of an established but fairly obscure genre of building products called gutter protection systems. In recent years, the interest in maintenance reduction has grown along with an aging population of homeowners. Many competing products have sprung up, all of which are designed to keep the gutters flowing…but with varying degrees of effectiveness and cost.

 

Gutter protection products are basically passive filters and therefore not “install and forget” systems. Filters require maintenance. Gutter protection systems cannot prevent debris from accumulating on your roof nor can they clean the roof for you. So with or without a gutter protection system roof maintenance is still required. Why clean your roof?  Every roofing manufacturer requires maintenance plus loose debris accumulating on the roof and the top of the gutter system will quickly begin to decompose; matting down and compressing into a solid sheet as soon as it becomes damp. Accumulated debris is a fire hazard and is extremely bad for the roof, accelerating wear and backing water up under the shingles. It can also create a solid bridge over the top of the gutters which can send water cascading over the edge. To prevent this, a simple cleaning is necessary within 60-90 days of any noticeable debris accumulation.  Most protection systems make it easier to service the roof (see photo on left). Loose material will shed over the top of gutters fitted with most protection systems so a quick service with a broom or blower is all that is necessary. Beware of gutter protection systems touting “maintenance-free” claims, or systems that are clearly impossible to clean or dry out once material gets inside them (foams or fixed lid devices). These are best avoided.

 

Some homeowners may be disappointed at first to learn that gutter protection products cannot totally eliminate maintenance, but this is an unrealistic expectation especially given the fact that debris will continue to accumulate on the roof with or without a gutter protection system. You would not expect your car’s air-filter to continue to work properly without maintaining it now and then. A proper expectation would be that gutter protection systems keep the gutters flowing with the least amount of maintenance at the lowest possible cost. 

 

The great news here is that a good protection system should substantially reduce maintenance efforts needed to clean both the roof and the gutter and be able to keep the gutters flowing betweenmaintenance tasks. A light blowing or brushing is much better than risking ladder falls and cut hands while reaching deep into the gutters to muck them out. Our company offers a regular service plan to accomplish this so you never have to worry about it. By scheduling, the service tasks can be done when it is convenient (read—affordable) instead of having to perform emergency gutter mucking during a soaking rainstorm.

 

Gutter protection also helps reduce fire risk by minimizing flammable debris in the gutter. In a recent act the CDF (California Department of Forestry) has required “gutters be provided a means of preventing debris accumulation” in interface areas. If you live in an interface area make sure you have a good system installed and keep it well maintained otherwise fire crews can opt to not defend your home. 

 

There are now many gutter protection products available to the homeowner. They have evolved into several configurations and come in a broad spectrum of materials and prices. So how do you choose? We suggest that you choose a product that combines the best of allthese qualities: low installed price, low maintenance requirements, long life expectancy, ease of removal and high environmental friendliness. Beware of companies that do not publish the per foot cost of their product ahead of time. They may practice opportunistic or predatory pricing schemes and are sure to deliver an unpleasant surprise somewhere during the relationship. At HPS Palo Alto we researched the market exhaustively and now use a product calledRainTube for the many client homes and estates under our care. Our experience has shown that the use of RainTube has dramatically reduced the cost to maintain the roofs and gutters and eliminated call-backs and complaints about clogged gutters. It happens to also be the only “green” product on the market made from 100% post consumer recycled materials. Our clients like that a lot!

 

How does RainTube stack up?

 

·      Price: RainTube had the lowest installed price of any professional product we tested. Starting at $5.25 per foot…RainTube is a fraction of the price of competing products.

·      Effective: RainTube’s unique multi-stage system (a primary core element and an outer fine filter element) keeps gutters clean and flowing capturing rain at an amazing 100 inches an hour on a 20’ roof.

·      Effort to Maintain: A light brushing or leaf blowing when you see debris beginning to accumulate. That’s’ it! RainTube’s certified technicians can even perform this service efficiently and economically for you if you wish. Debris sits high on the curved surface where it quickly dries and sheds with a light breeze. Any remaining can be easily removed.

·      Life Expectancy: RainTube is made from recycled HDPE and has a design life of over 100 years exposed to the worst natural elements. It is virtually indestructible and comes with a transferable lifetime warranty.

·      Ease of Installation and Removal: RainTube installs easily with any type roof or gutter. It is securely but not mechanically attached and can be removed easily if needed.

·      Environmental: RainTube is made in the USA and is the only gutter product that qualifies for green building LEEDS credits. It is made from 100% post-consumer recycled material and is 100% recyclable. Our clients are becoming more and more sensitive to their environmental impact.

 

RainTube has met our needs well at HPS, but don’t just take our word for it. Call toll free 866-724-6356 and get a referral list of some of their 6,000-plus installed customers and hear what they have to say. Visit their website at www.raintechnologies.com . Do some research and look at the competitors too! The more you know the better you’ll feel. Then you can easily decide for yourself. We hope you will find this information helpful.

 

 

 

Wildland-Urban Interface Building Codes 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Office of the State Fire Marshall 

704A.1.4 Roof Gutters: 

Roof Gutters shall be provided with the means to prevent the accumulation of debris in the gutter.