“With autumn right around the corner, the leaves are already starting to change color and fall, which prompts many homeowners to think about cleaning out their gutters,” said Lance Dahl, CR, Senior Sales Representative – Exterior Products with Callen. “To drastically alleviate this bi-annual chore and save a substantial amount of time in the process, homeowners should consider installing a Gutter Topper® system on their home.”
Gutter Topper features 11 strategically placed curves that allow water to grip onto the front end of the gutter and flow through the slots that are located directly underneath. This gutter protection system improves water flow, discourages premature rust, protects the home’s structure, deters creatures from building nests, and mitigates the formation of ice damns.
Proper water flow is a crucial element of a functioning gutter system on a home. Open gutter systems can clog easily when leaves and branches fall into them, especially if the gutters aren’t cleaned out regularly. When this happens, the path of the water, which is supposed to flow freely from the gutters, through the downspouts, and drain away from the property, is obstructed and can cause damage to the gutters as well as the home. “Conversely, Gutter Topper is designed to keep debris out of your gutters so that a steady water flow is maintained,” said Lance. “More specifically, when debris falls onto the flat surface of a Gutter Topper system, it remains there until it dries up and eventually blows onto the ground in an innocuous manner. Gutter Topper’s unique structure helps ensure that only water makes its way around the gutter’s curved edge and through the slots below.”
Soggy leaves and other debris that are left in your gutters are more than capable of instigating the corrosion process, which compromises a gutter’s functionality and life expectancy. Not to mention, mold can form in gutters over time, which can negatively impact your health, especially your upper respiratory system. Gutter Topper combats both unfortunate dilemmas by dramatically reducing the amount of debris that enters the gutter system in the first place. “The less amount of wet debris that is present in a gutter system, the slimmer the chance that rust or mold will form, and the longer your gutters will last,” he said. “In fact, Gutter Topper is backed with a Lifetime Guarantee, and even if you sell your home, the warranty can be transferred to the new owners.”
If neglected, an impaired gutter system will not only rust, but cause serious, costly damage to a home. If water is not flowing safely away from the home, then it can pool around a home’s foundation and weaken it. Additionally, water can even find its way inside a home and result in more extensive damage. Moreover, clogged gutters are prone to sagging and can eventually tear away from the home’s fascia boards, which jeopardizes the roof and siding. Severe weather will only exacerbate these problems. “Gutter Topper’s flat surface plays a vital role in preventing improper drainage due to clogging, so you can avoid unnecessary and expensive repairs,” Lance said. “Plus, Gutter Topper exhibits extraordinary strength and durability, as it can sustain 22 inches of rain per hour as well as wind speeds as high as 110 mph.”
Animal nests are another reason not to overlook gutter maintenance. Open gutters are particularly susceptible to animals such as birds and squirrels because they can easily enter the gutter and use debris to form nests, wreaking havoc on a gutter system. “On the other hand, Gutter Topper acknowledges the seriousness of this issue, which is why the system ensures that these types of creatures cannot harm the gutters since they are too large to fit through the slots located underneath the gutter’s edge,” he said.
Even though fall hasn’t officially started, we know that frigid temperatures and snow will be here before we know it, and they just so happen to be the two necessary ingredients for ice dams. To be more precise, ice dams form when snow falls and the heat from the home causes the snow on the upper part of the roof to melt, while the cold outside temperatures cause the snow in the gutter to freeze. Be on the lookout for large icicles, as this can be a symptom of an ice dam. All of this added weight can cause the gutters to sag and detach from the roof itself. Gutter Topper is tough on ice and snow as it can tolerate up to 1,200 pounds of snow load per square foot. “It is also equipped with an Ice Release System that allows snow and ice to easily slide off, so your gutters won’t have to endure any unnecessary strain,” he said. “As an added defense, you can choose to incorporate a heat cable into your Gutter Topper system.”
Although the vital role that gutters serve on a home may be a simple one to understand, they should never be taken for granted. Instead, they should be fully protected with Gutter Topper to ensure that they achieve the optimum level of performance. “Not only will a Gutter Topper system save you precious time, as they require minimal maintenance, but it will also promote adequate water flow, inhibit the corrosion process, safeguard the structural integrity of the home, fend off birds and squirrels, and diminish the risk of ice dams in the winter. With all of the impressive benefits to be gained, an array of colors to choose from to ensure the perfect match, and with the convenient option to install the system over your existing gutters available, you can be fully confident in your decision to trust Gutter Topper to protect your home,” Lance said.
