Q.
|
In a really
heavy rain, won’t water shoot off the side of the house?
|
| A. |
No! Properly
installed, The WaterFallŽ Gutter Guard System will handle any amount of
rain that falls. WaterFall has been tested in conditions simulating over
10-in. of rain per hour (more than has ever been recorded anywhere) and
successfully handled every drop. Simply, rain water clings to, and
follows the surface of the WaterFall “steps” into the WaterFall
channels, and then through the drain holes into the gutter. At the same
time, leaves and debris slide over the “steps” and on to the ground. To
check this first hand, next time it rains, watch how the rain falls from
your roof into the gutters. Even in the heaviest rain, the water just
drips off the end of the shingles. Seeing this will help understand how
WaterFall handles heavy rain. |
|
Q.
|
Does ice cause
a problem for WaterFall?
|
| A. |
While The
WaterFall system doesn’t solve any ice problems, it doesn’t create any
new ones either. Snow will sit on the top of WaterFall. If the house is
poorly insulated and the snow on the roof melts before the snow on the
gutter guard, there may be some water that runs off the side. The
WaterFall system will, however, keep water from freezing inside the
gutter and the downspouts, which can cause severe damage. |
|
Q.
|
Will WaterFall
keep pine needles, Douglas firs, seeds, etc. out of the gutter?
|
| A. |
Yes for areas
with a moderate number of trees and leaf fall! For areas with many trees
and heavy leaf fall, installation of the WaterFall High Foliage Insert
is recommended.
Before WaterFall installation, it is important to make sure that the
gutters are thoroughly cleaned. After installation, since one “step” of
The WaterFall system hangs over the next, debris will fall over the side
of the house. In moderate tree and leaf fall areas, any debris that
manages to pass over the “steps” through the small gap into the channel
and through the drain holes, will flush through the clean gutter
underneath because there is no larger debris to hang it up and cause a
clog.
Again, for areas with many trees and heavy leaf fall, installation of
the WaterFall High Foliage Insert is recommended.
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|
|
Q.
|
Won't small
debris like pine needles get caught in the channels and cause the water
to shoot off the side?
|
| A. |
No! When debris
is able to navigate the “steps” of The WaterFall system one of two
things will happen. 1) It will pass through the drain holes in the
bottom of the channel and flush through the clean gutter. 2) The debris
will sit in the channel briefly, but will be blown out by wind. The
reason wind is so effective in clearing these channels is because it
creates a lift similar to that of an airplane wing when it passes over
the “steps,” creating an upward draft in the channels and blowing away
debris. |
|
Q.
|
What about
very steep roofs?
|
| A. |
The WaterFall
system has been tested on roofs all the way up to a 45-degree pitch. The
upper limit for slope is even steeper, but we do not have a set limit.
Anything over a 45-degree pitch should first be tested with one
WaterFall piece to ensure effectiveness. Note however, in such
situations, we recommend installation by a Select WaterFall Contractor.
Click here
to find a Select Contractor in your area. |
|
Q.
|
Do you have to
nail WaterFall into the roof deck?
|
| A. |
No! One end of
The WaterFall systems slides under the first course of shingles. The
other end snaps and locks securely onto the lip of the gutter. No
nailing is required.
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|
|
Q.
|
Will wind blow
The WaterFall system off the gutter?
|
| A. |
No! The roof
shingles hold the top of the WaterFall, and a “jaw” snaps and locks onto
the front edge of standard “K” style gutters. |
|
Q.
|
What is the
best way to install WaterFall around corners?
|
| A. |
The WaterFall
system should be miter cut and butted together at both inside and
outside corners. Also, it is good practice to install diverters at the
bottom of long “valleys” created by two roof sections meeting at an
inside corner. Note: There is no rule of thumb for this. Simply it is a
solution if water flow at the valley is too much for The WaterFall
system to handle. |
|
Q.
|
Should the end
of gutter runs be capped?
|
| A. |
Depending on
where you live, birds and small animals may find the openings at the end
of gutter runs attractive hiding/living places. If you perceive this as
a potential problem, installation of The WaterFall End Cap is
recommended. The WaterFall End Cap covers the gap between the gutter end
cap and The WaterFall. Design of the end cap is such that it can also be
used to join a miter cut at a corner.
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|
|
Q.
|
Will The
WaterFall system work with cedar and/or tile roofs?
|
| A. |
The WaterFall
system is effective with these types of roofs, but difficult to install
because cedar and ceramic tiles may break when they are lifted during
installation. Installation of The WaterFall system on these types of
roofs should only be for new cedar or tile roof installations. |
|
Q.
|
Can WaterFall
be installed over vinyl gutters?
|
| A. |
Yes, but only
over vinyl gutters with the “K” style flange at the front gutter edge.
Some vinyl gutters are manufactured with the “K” flange, and some are
not. To determine whether installation is possible, a small sample piece
of gutter guard should be tried. |
|
Q.
|
How are
WaterFall lengths joined together?
|
| A. |
WaterFall gutter
guards should be installed with an approximate 1/2”gap between sections.
This will allow for expansion and contraction of the material. The gap
should be covered using the connector clips included in the box.
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|
|
Q.
|
Is there a
warranty?
|
| A. |
Yes! The
WaterFall Gutter Guard System is backed by a
limited
five-year warranty that covers material defects. |
