January 12, 2012 11:41am by Team | 
A reader submitted the following information that seems especially helpful for those thinking about Leaf Filter. Allen is an installer in the Northeast United States. In his own words…
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I would like to share with others what I have learned about LeaFilter since becoming a dealer in 2006. Note, I am not going to claim to have installed an unrealistic amount of the product like others. But rest assured it is a fact that I have installed thousands of feet of the product on customer homes in the Northeast. When I discuss this product with my customers, I always attempt to point out both pros and cons that I have learned. I want them to make an educated decision before moving ahead with an installation. We do NOT pressure our customers.
So that being said, here are the facts. Once the LeafFilter has been installed and the stainless steel (Zela) screening becomes wet, it will catch the majority (99%) of the rain water. If you have valley areas on your home (where two roof fields join together making an inward angle) you will need to have the valley screen (different from the normal Zela screening) installed. The valley screen is able to handle more water flow which occurs in valley areas. If the installer does not use valley screen, then it is very likely you will experience water overflow. In some cases we have had to install diverters even when using the valley screen. So this is dependent on the size of the valley and roof pitch. I would NOT recommend LeafFilter for pitched metal roofs. Reason; the runoff is too fast for the screening to absorb water and I know this to be a fact.
A DIY alternative to Leaf Filter
When installed properly, LeafFilter will keep debris from collecting in the gutter. However, debris is likely to collect on top of the LeafFilter. This is what the product was designed to do. This is NOT a maintenance free product like some claim. Because LeaFilter sits directly on top of the gutter, at times it may act as a shelf for the debris. The higher the roof pitch, the more accumulation. LeafFilter was designed with a pitch so debris will in most cases eventually run off, but it may take time and several heavy rains to do so. You may need to spray or brush debris off in some areas. If it bothers you and you don’t want to wait for the debris to shed naturally, then you will need to clean it off. I have also had situations where mold and moss have grown on customer roofs and then onto the LeafFilter. The stainless steel screening will clog when this occurs. This is more likely to occur on areas that get no sun. I have had to clean the LeafFilter off with either a house cleaner such as Zep, Jomax or products similar to Clorox Cleaner with bleach. Usually we just have to spray, wait ten minutes, rinse off and the mold is gone. I always suggest having your home washed at least once a year and when doing so, wash off the LeaFilter and this will help deter dirt and mold growth.
Another issue I have ran into in the past. The stainless steel screening has a natural bend to it. The installer needs to insert the screen into the PVC base with the bend down. If not, then some rain water will likely roll over the screening. I learned this the hard way. When the screening is adhered to the PVC base, the installer must use GeoCel 2320 as specified by the manufacturer. This is one of the best construction adhesives on the market and does an excellent job at locking the screening into place. I have seen pictures online of screening coming away from the PVC base. All I can say is the installer must have used an inferior adhesive or not enough. In six years, we have had no issues in regards to the screening coming away from the base because we always use Geocel and a lot of it.
I give LeafFilter 4 out of 5 stars.
What else? When the installer screws the PVC base onto the front lip of the gutter, he must make sure not to attach the base too tightly. Being PVC, the material naturally expands and contracts depending on the season. The PVC base will appear to be wavy if not installed properly. There are reasons why this product should NOT be sold to do it yourselfers. The installer needs to know what he’s doing for a successful outcome. I have been installing gutters for 27 years. I can tell you there is no perfect gutter protection product on the market. I give LeafFilter 4 out of 5 stars. The PVC base will not last as long as aluminum because of stresses put on it by both cold and hot weather. Do not install this product in real cold weather. Reason; it will crack when being cut.
Well I hope you find this information helpful and good luck.
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I have been in the gutter business for 18 years and have seen every type of gutter guards either installing them or removing them. I was working as a sub contractors for leaf filter for a short period of time. I have to say that out of all the products on the market theirs is the worst i have seen. Not for keeping debris out that it does do. PVC is the worst materal to use for gutter guards. It doesn’t do very well in hot weather, it doesn’t do very well in cold weather. According to the folks at leaf filter you have to install their hangers and install a lot of them. In most cases the installer has to remove better stronger hangers and replace them with a lesser quailty hanger. But since they have to put them a foot apart to keep the gutter guard from caving in i guess quailty doesn’t matter to them. Also in an attempt to keep their gutter guard from getting wavy in the heat and cold they install a 1/2 screw every 8 inches to hold it in place.
WARNING!!! Leaf filter is not a gutter company and should not touch your gutters. They sell gutters but they hire some one else to install them. They also hire sub contractors to do all of there gutter guard installation. When hiring any company make sure they are the ones doing the job, not a sub contractor. The reason, Standards. Who are they hiring and what standard to they go by. It’s very difficult to maintain high standards of quiaity when using sub contractors. It’s not their customer, it’s not their company what do they care.
The product DOES NOT COME PUT TOGETHER. It’s up to their sub contractor to slide the micro mesh screen in to the plastic frame and caulk it. The problem again is standards. One sub might be the best in the world with a caulk gun, you know the type he’s John Wyane when you put a caulk gun in his hand. Then you might get the guy who has something better to do with is time, like play with his X-Box and the caulking job is, well lets say its less then perfect. Way less then perfect.
In closing i have this to say, if your in the market for gutter guards look elsewhere. I would rather take the $4,000 dollars that it would cost to have their guards installed and take it to a casino. I would take that money to the crap table and place the entire thing on 12. I like my odds better then gambling on leaf filter. (For those who don’t know craps 12 pays 30:1 odds but it’s a one roll bet. Just like Leaf Filter.)