Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the RainDrop Gutter Guard?
What material is the RainDrop Gutter Guard made out of?
A unique Polypropylene Blend with added UV Stabilizers.
NOT VINYL!!!
Yes, polypropylene is a type of plastic, but is far superior to vinyl (and metal products) for many reasons.
Polypropylene is meant to be outside in the elements.
- Used on automobiles.
- Stays strong even in extreme sun.
- High melting point of 320°F.
- Does NOT absorb water, so it will NOT mold or deteriorate due to bacteria.
- Takes a significant amount of damage before it breaks; unlikely to shatter.
- Known for its resistance to fatigue.
- Its chemical make up is resistant to most oils and solvents
And if you were still worried, we added UV Stabilizers to the mix to further protect it from the sun.
For more information on Polypropylene see these great articles by Todd Johnson:
How many years will the RainDrop Gutter Guard last?
The first RainDrop Gutter Guards were installed in the Spring of 2000 in Arlington Heights, IL. Every couple of years, we go back and see how they are doing. The guards are still working great and have not broken down. This is because they are made of polypropylene and packed with UV stabilizers to help protect it from the sun.
(For more information on polypropylene, see the above question of "What is the RainDrop Gutter Guard made out of?", or read this article titled "What is Polypropylene?" by Todd Johnson found on About.com)
We increased our warranty from 10 years to 20 years in 2014. Simply because we are confident that this stuff will last a long time!
One of our first customers even let us know that he had moved and was getting RainDrop Gutter Guards installed again, but on his new home, because "after 11 years, the gutters were still clean!" (Jim A. of Illinois) That is the ultimate compliment Jim, THANK YOU!
RainDrop Gutter Guards will last longer than you live in your current home, and maybe even your next one!
I have a maple tree in my yard. Won't the seed just go through the openings and cause a clog?
The RainDrop Gutter Guard will naturally shed debris and maple seeds easily, as you can see in the video below.
The seed part is actually too big to fit between the bars, and if the "wing" or "fin" somehow manages to get in between the bars, it will work itself in or out. So you will not be getting handfuls in your gutter system, but may get a few in at a time. In this case, you will want to make sure that the downspout outlet is snag free to ensure they make their way through the entire gutter system. We recommend the Wide Mouth Outlet for homes close to trees with debris similar to the maple tree; such as locust trees and also various pine trees.
I have pine trees close to my home. Won't the needles go through the openings and cause a clog?
Sometimes. Pine needles don't come canoeing down the roof, but rather roll down to the gutter. Then continue to roll over the gutter guard and off onto the lawn.
Every once in a while mother nature will find a way to get a direct hit, but your pine needle problem will be nowhere near what you had before RainDrop.
The answer is the Wide Mouth Outlet. Watch the video below.
The Wide Mouth Outlet eliminates any possible "Snag Areas" because it does not require the zip screws and excessive caulking of a traditional Drop-Outlet. The Wide Mouth Outlet's opening is up to 4 times larger than a traditional Drop-Outlet.
Will installing under the shingles VOID my roof warranty?
NO. Installing any type of gutter guards under the shingles will not void your roof warranty. This is a common misconception and a major selling point (attempt) for some of our competitors. But... your roof warranty will be void if the guard requires screws or nails to be driven straight through all layers of the roof and without any sealant. Believe it or not, some people still allow this to happen on their home. Even worse, some gutter guards believe that is okay to do.
RainDrop Gutter Guards can be installed many way. When installed under the first layer of shingles, DO NOT NAIL THE BACK FLANGE DOWN. Never do that for any gutter protection. The RainDrop Gutter Guard is only fastened to the front lip of the gutter.
If for whatever reason you still do not like the idea of RainDrop being installed under the shingles, it can be done "Drop-In Style."
Won't roof grit get into my gutters?
YES! This is where many of our competitors (micro-mesh products) get it wrong! Roof grit and granules DO NOT CLOG GUTTERS!
If this were true, then homes without trees nearby would have clogged gutters. A gutter has never clogged because of roof grit. It is just too small and washes through the gutter system.
Micro-mesh products try and keep EVERYTHING out. In doing so, small debris like roof grit and dirt develops a build-up, which will eventually REALLY keep EVERYTHING out... INCLUDING WATER! Not to mention these micro-mesh products are prone to mold and mildew, further inhibiting water from entering the gutter.
RainDrop Gutter Guard gets it right by letting the non-clogging debris flush through the gutter system, allowing all the water to get in, and by keeping out clog forming debris (and keeping it moving forward so it doesn't build-up on top of the gutter guard).