Shopping for gutter guards? Make sure you're doing all the right research.

LeafFilter North, Inc., the #1 consumer rated gutter protection company has published a Gutter Guard Buyer's Guide Checklist. The checklist is part of the 2012 Gutter Guard Buyer's Guide which will be published in June.

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About LeafFilter North, Inc.
LeafFilter™ is the #1 consumer rated gutter guard. LeafFilter is a surgical grade, stainless steel micromesh gutter protection system that is a completely sealed systems. No holes, no gaps and no openings ensures that nothing but water will get into a LeafFilter protected gutter. LeafFilter North, Inc. has 16 offices that serve the midwest, eastern and southern United States. More information at http://www.leaffilter.com or (800) 290-6106.

Author: Zach Kulpa

You know how it goes: it's a beautiful spring Saturday, and you climb up a ladder to take a look at your gutters, only to discover some uninvited guests have taken over. Little did you know, there's a party going on inside your gutters, and those who dwell there can cause many costly problems – not just clogs – as well as carry diseases.

Mosquitoes find standing water an ideal breeding ground. When gutters are clogged, the water that accumulates makes a perfect environment for mosquitoes to multiply. Termites find the moist, softened wood around clogged gutters an irresistible place to live as well. They can cause extensive damage to roofs, and can eventually compromise the wood construction of a house or building, causing expensive repairs and reconstruction.

Autumn Leaves Can Equal Clogged Gutters

As the autumn leaves fall, thoughts turn to football, hockey, the holidays, and, oh yeah, gutter cleaning. Could it be that time again? Didn’t you just finish cleaning out all of those annoying whirlybirds to avoid clogged gutters this year?

Yes, cleaning gutters this is one of the burdens of home ownership. Or is it? If you don’t do anything, leaves, seeds, roof debris, and the kid’s tennis balls will fill, and eventually result in clogged gutters and downspouts. You’ll know this has happened when you see water flowing over the gutters and onto your walkway. Or even worse, water begins flowing into your basement. At that point, you remember why there are gutters on your house in the first place -- to keep the water away from your foundation.

Aside from the general nuisance of cleaning gutters (or not cleaning), there are also safety issues involved with that. Unfortunately, the point where you realize that you have clogged gutters is when it’s raining and you start seeing water seep into your basement. That usually leads to taking the ladder out of the garage, propping it up against your home, and commencing to scooping out leaves and cleaning. In the rain. With thunder and lightning. You’re looking for a bucket and your spouse is looking for the insurance policies. If you don’t go up there, your kids will be buying pool toys for the basement.

Protect Your Roofing Shingles and Roof from Leaks!

From our many years of experience in working with thousands of homeowners across the country, and installing millions of feet of LeafFilter™ gutter protection, we have identified what we call “The 3 Unintended Consequences” of installing a gutter protection system that disturbs the shingle seal of your roof. And they are: 1) leaks, 2) moisture in the attic, and 3) voided shingle warranty. We call these unintended consequences because a homeowner never intendsor wants to have their roof leak, or allow moisture into their attic, or worse yet, void their shingle warranty. But unfortunately, that is typically what happens when installing a gutter protection product that slides under the shingles versus protecting like LeafFilter’s™ patented method. No question that one of the most important pieces of your home is the roof. Its primary responsibility is to protect your home and all of is inhabitants from the elements. Keep in mind that these elements become significantly harsher in the winter. What would have only been a small, simple crack during the summer, can turn into a serious problem when exposed to snow and freezing temperatures. Please avoid purchasing any sort of gutter protection product where part of the installation process involves nailing through, or altering or adjusting, your shingles in any way.

Diverting Rain Water Mitigates Many Expensive and Potentially Life Threatening Risks

Melting snows, spring rains, lack of water pickup by trees and plants, and the absence of sun to dry the ground in the winter can create destructive natural forces. These forces can cause significant damage to your home. The damage can begin as an elusive invisible force that occurs underground. It is unseen until great damage has already occurred. Then it is confusing. “How did this much water get into our basement?” It is a heartbreaking nightmare for any home owner. What can happen when rainwater is not diverted away from your house?

Gutter Guards Guidelines – What to Look for In Gutter Protection Systems

Gutter guards installed on your home will give you and your family peace of mind that you will avoid the troubles associated with clogged gutters. Gutter guards can also provide protection against a myriad of other potentially serious situations water can cause around your home. For example, the result of clogged gutters may be water in your basement, cracks in your foundation, etc.

As with any investment, it is important to do your research before making a purchase. There are numerous gutter guards a.k.a. gutter protection systems on the market. How do you evaluate your options and make the best selection? Here are two guidelines that should help you consider your options and identify the most important features in gutter guards.

Gutter Guards Guideline 1: Never Buy a System with Holes, Gaps, or Openings

Eliminate any gutter guards from consideration if they contain holes, gaps, or openings because they will allow unwanted debris to pass through and eventually into your gutters. Even gutter guards like reverse curve systems where water adheres to the curve and runs through the front channel of openings will clog up with pine needles, maple spinners, and worst of all, pesky bees! And the gutter guards you find at your local home improvement store that have diamond shaped gaps or slits in them will become a home for leaf stems, pine needles, and other debris. Not a good solution!

Gutter guards that use a surgical stainless steel micro guard leaf filter are ideal because nothing sticks to the material. And you want to find a system that is completely sealed, which prevents debris from penetrating the filter, and only allowing water to flow through your gutters.