Cincinnati Gutter Guards

Cincinnati Gutter & Roof Protection offers Alcoa's Leaf Relief Gutter Guards. There are many gutter guards on the market and the choices can be confusing. You may have heard good or bad things about gutter guards in general. And we have too. And many of these systems on the market can appear very expensive. We will try to cut through all the fog, myths, and misconceptions about gutter guards and share with you our opinion and our experiences with different gutter guard systems.

There are different types of gutter guards, there are the cheaper versions of gutter screens and plastic reverse curve systems for the do it your self home owner that you can purchase at your local hardware store. And then there are the more expensive systems that you can have installed from gutter and home improvement company's.

We will distinguish the difference between a do it your self product that you can purchase yourself, versus a product you would have a company like us install . A do it yourself product may work and it may not, it all depends on the elements you are combatting. If you are under just a few trees a simple gutter guard may work just fine for your gutters, it depends on what kind of trees you are under.

For example, if your home is under a pine tree, even a gutter screen will be ineffecient in keeping your gutters clean. Or if you have a maple tree that sheds maple seeds, also known as whirley birds, a seedling can also work it's way through a screen. Gutter screens can be a deterant in keeping your gutters clean, you may not have to clean them as often if you have them.

If your home is under a lot of trees, a product that is more effecient should be considered in keeping your gutters and downspouts free flowing. One of the big differences between a product you can buy at your local hardware store and a product like Alcoa's Leaf Relief is the warranty. With Alcoa's Leaf Relief system you get a 10 year no clog, no overflow warranty. When you buy a product at your local hardware store, chances are there is no warranty except maybe a material defect warranty.

Just to give you an example here are some pictures of some of the many different products out on the market:

Here you have a typical aluminum gutter screen:

Pros: It will deter your gutters from clogging and is stronger than plastic screens.

Cons: It's not necessarily a long term solution or guaranteed against a clog and small debri large enough can enter to eventually cause a clog.

Here you have a reverse curve system which is just a generic name for the product, it works on surface tension, meaning the water clings to the metal and clings to the "J" hook part of the product. There are many different brands on the market with the basic design that you see here:

Pros: It can deter your gutters from clogging, and some come with a no clog guarantee.

Cons: These systems can be very expensive, the problems that can be incurred with this system are, the gaps in the system can allow bee's wasp's and mosquito's to nest.

Icecicles are more prone to form causing slippery spots on driveway and sidewalks in the winter or cold climates.

Sometimes, the nose of the product needs to be sprayed off to keep functioning properly.

Reverse curve systems handle about 1/3 to 1/2 less water volume vs. our Alcoa Leaf Relief system.

Many of these products install under the shingle and are nailed through your roof possibly causing a leak.

Moisture has also been known to get trapped around the perimeter of the roof with these system and causing the edge of the roof to deteriorate and rot.

If your roof ever needs replaced and some of these products that install under your shingle have to be taken off and reinstalled which is an extra charge.

Sometimes the seal of the shingle can be broken when these products are installed under the shingle which can void your roof warranty and allow wind driven rain to blow water into your roof decking possibly causing a leak.

These products can also be seen from the ground which can affect the curb appeal of your home.

We prefer to install Alcoa's Leaf Relief over any other system. The advantages far outweigh any other system that we have encountered.

Here are some of the advantages:

Alcoa's Leaf Relief handles about 3 times more water than most reverse curve systems.

Alcoa's Leaf Relief is invisible from the ground, which will not affect the curb appeal of your home.

Alcoa's Leaf Relief has been tested by an independent labratory (Intertek Testing Labratory's LTD.) and has been proven 100% effective against leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other small debris.

Alcoa's Leaf Relief never touches a shingle, so no worry's about breaking a shingle seal or removing the product for a re-roof and incurring additional installation costs.

Leaf Relief will create little to no icecicles in the winter time because of the open surface area which allows quicker resumed water flow in sub zero tempatures.

Leaf Relief is completely enclosed, and pest resistant, so no worry's about bee's, wasps, mosquito's, birds, or squirrels.

Leaf Relief can be installed to new or existing gutters, so if your existing gutters are in good shape there is no need to replace them, saving you money, like some of the all one piece systems on the market.

Cincinnati Gutter & Roof Protection invites you to contact us for all your roofing, vinyl siding, gutter and gutter guard needs. Call (513) 563 - 9988 or email us at LeafRelief@aol.com