| Q. | In a really heavy rain, won’t water shoot off the side of the house? |
| A. | No!
Properly installed, The WaterFall® 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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