Beware of Reverse Curve
"Gutter Protection"
Reverse Curve Leafguard by Englert
Would you want this on your house?
This installation was only three years old
when this photo was taken.
How the Competition Fails
(Common Types of "Gutter Protection")
REVERSE CURVE
This is a generic term for numerous brands of the oldest and most common type of gutter protection systems on the market. They rely on the “adhesion qualities” of water to “stick” to a gutter cover while making a 180 degree turn into the gutter through a horizontal slit at or near the face of the gutter. Width of the slit is usually about 3/8 inch.
There are several interesting facts about "reverse curve".
1. The first system of this type was patented in 1908 by George Cassens.
2. Today there are some 75 - 100 or more variations on the market.
3. Some of them work very well in a light to medium rain, if you have no trees near your house.
4. After 100 years, it is still the most common type on the market.
5. Most of the major companies are still selling it.
6. There are vastly superior products on the market using 21st century technology.
What they do tell you about "reverse curve" (usually with a straight face).
1. "All the water goes in the slit." Don't believe it! We can prove otherwise or you can prove it yourself.
2. "No debris goes in the slit." None of their demo models have debris on the roof.
3. "Lifetime warranty" . . . only against clogs - period!!!!!
What they don't tell you about "reverse curve".
1. Clogs are rarely a major problem - especially with their big oversized downspouts.
2. There are three other inherent and more serious problems with any "reverse curve system".
The first is overshoot during a heavy rain. Water adhesion works fine with “reverse curve” systems but according to some of their websites only up to about 50 inches per hour (at the gutter). A moderately heavy storm of 0.5 inches (1/2 inch per hour as measured in your rain gauge) falling on a 20 foot roof span (240 inches measured horizontally) is putting 120 inches of water per hour at your gutters. (240 times 0.5 = 120). At 50 inches per hour, the other 70 inches is going on the ground, assuming clean, properly installed gutters and using their own numbers. Of course, you are not likely to be outside where you can observe it during this kind of storm.
The second problem, especially in a slow rain, is that small debris (seed pods, bark chips, helicopters, oak tassels, pine needles, small leaves, etc., etc., etc….) gets wet and “adheres” to the curve just as the water does and flows into your gutter. The debris that doesn’t wash out will rot and decay in a few weeks. Then you have an insect and bug problem. These critters are not wood friendly to your house. If you have ever cleaned gutters, you know what I’m talking about.
In addition, the wet debris slows the drying process and frequently creates a third problem - that being acceleration of water rot and decay of wood components adjacent to your gutters (ie: soffitt, fascia or worse).
These are not just infrequent problems created by inadequate, poorly performing gutter protection systems. We know they are commonplace because we’ve seen them in numerous customer homes where major carpentry repairs have to be made. BEEN THERE - DONE THAT. If you don’t believe us, ask any roofing contractor.
Most of the big boys still handle this obsolete 100 year old concept in so-called "gutter protection". It works reasonably well if you have no trees near your house and they can usually provide good referrals because some of their customers have zero to few problems. Unfortunately, in this segment of the "gutter protection" industry, patently false claims, high pressure sales tactics, and outright dishonesty are common even though some dealers will make an effort to clean out your gutters if you have a problem.
Major players still peddling this type of product are as follows:
Leaf Guard by Englert (See picture above)
Gutter Helmet
K-Guard
Gutter Guardian
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