Common QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

Q. Can SuraFlow-GutterGuard be fitted to existing gutters?

A. Yes it can, depending on what they are, but if the gutters are over 4-5 years old we normally replace them as the gaskets start to harden and there can be problems resealing the gutters, the plastic also starts to go brittle and components such as brackets can break in the dismantling process.

Q. Doesn't it cost more to have new gutters? 

A. No because the cost of the materials are offset by the saving in labour cleaning out the old gutters and trying to reseal them.

Q. What happens when it rains really hard - doesn't the water shoot over the top?

A. The principle we use to the water into the gutter - the Coanda effect - works better the faster the water flows. The system has been thoroughly tested and will exceed the capability of all domestic rainwater systems. However, no rainwater system will guarantee that it will cope with the vagrancies of architectural design such as internal valleys, parapets and  gullies. In these situations the rainwater is channeled in such a way the volume of water exceeds any reasonable expectation of system performance and in extreme conditions the system will occasionally overflow. As these extreme conditions happen only occasionally this should not cause a problem with the fabric of the building becoming damp. Only if the problem occurs constantly under all conditions is there a problem as the wall will not get an opportunity to dry out. Any installation we are involved in we look very carefully at the flow dynamics of these corners and will either eliminate the problem or minimise the impact.

Q. How much overhang should there be with roof tiles?

A. When measured horizontally from the fascia there the edge of the tile should be no less than 40mm and no more than 70mm out for standard size guttering (110mm-114mm)

Q. What size gutters will it not fit?

A. Standard guttering is based on imperial 4.5 inches. It can vary between manufacturer and the profile of the gutter. Most gutters will measure 110mm to 114mm, however Osma sell a half-round domestic gutter which is only 100mm and SuraFlow-GutterGuard is too wide for this. SuraFlow-GutterGuard will fit gutters up to 125mm wide but  will not fit industrial 6 inch gutters.

Q Are there any particular gutters it will not fit?

A. We will not normally install SuraFlow-GutterGuard onto plastic/PVCu OG style gutters. Our experience tells us that plastic OG gutters are unreliable as the profile does not lend itself to providing enough pressure to adequately seal the gaskets on the joins. As a result we do not install OG style plastic gutters at all, but set our stall by installing continuous aluminum gutters which don't have joiners, are superior in everyway and cost less than plastic OG gutters to install. And our aluminum gutters can be fitted with SuraFlow-GutterGuard

Q. Can I fit SuraFlow-GutterGuard myself?

A. Yes, if you are confident working at height and pretty competent as a DIYer. The main work involved is dismantling the gutters to clean them out thoroughly and re-affixing them to allow sufficient gap for the SuraFlow-GutterGuard to be fitted. Full instructions are available. However most of our customer prefer the system to be professionally installed as we have an extensive range of access solutions to reach the gutters - even over conservatories. And when the system is installed by us you benefit from our full warranties including the 'lifetime no-clog' guarantee.

Q. Do you do the fascias and soffits as well?

A. It is a good idea to look at the condition of your fascias before installing any gutter system, so you don't need to dismantle it again. If necessary we can refurbish, repaint and repair existing wooden rooflines or make them maintenance-free with UPVc replacement or capping systems.

Q. Given the choice, which is the better gutter system UPVc/Plastic or Aluminum to fit SuraFlow GutterGuard to?

Without doubt the Continuous Aluminum system is far superior in all way to plastic. The reason you don't see so much of it in the UK is that your average installer will not invest in the £10,000 worth of equipment required to provide the service. If you want the best for both performance and value, insist on continuous aluminum.

Q. Surely some debris must get into the gutters?

A. Anything that is held in suspension in the water as it flow round the nose of the gutter guard will find its way into the gutter. However, all we are talking about is tile dust, silt and maybe some seeds buds. But the key thing is that the leaves and moss that cause the problem with blocked gutters, because when they break down they form a starchy soup, are kept out. This means that any dust or particles are free to get washed away. We have inspected installations that have been in for many years and the gutter may have a small amount of dust or silt lying in the bottom but they are free flowing and will be 'washed' clean when the next heavy rainfall comes

Q. Pine needles fall all year round can SuraFlow-GutterGuard cope with these?

We have installed a good deal of SuraFlow-GutterGuard where there have been serious problems with pine needles and where other systems have failed. On subsequent inspections we are happy to report that the gutters have been free of pine needles (which is more than can be said for the ground underneath!)

Q. Are there any problems installing SuraFlow-GutterGuard?

A. Unfortunately there are loads - and we've probably seen them all! These include;

Badly sloping facias which run contrary to the run of the gutters. This can be caused by subsidence or badly fitted replacement fascias. 

Badly installed roofs with uneven bottom tiles and valleys that are installed too deeply below the tile line

Wrongly located down pipes - they should not be install near an internal corner, this needs to be a high point!

Not enough down pipes - no matter what the flow rate the gutter is, if the water can't get out via the down pipes then it will overflow.

Badly designed roof drainage - the last thing any architect thinks about!

Insufficient depth of fascia - normally, depending on the roof pitch, we recommend a minimum of 175mm for fascias 

Gutter brackets used on open rafters installations

Use of rigid eaves trays that are set too low

We are rarely beaten when we come up against this problem, s but occasionally even we get stumped for a solution. If you are not sure always seek professional advice.

Q. Can SuraFlow-GutterGuard be fitted to a conservatory?

Unfortunately nine out of ten times it can't. This is because the construction of most modern conservatories have the glazing bars dropping to the gutters. And there is normally no room to drop the gutters. We have installed SuraFlow-GutterGuard on conservatory gutters but these have been of wooden construction, and until the conservatory roof manufacturers change their design then there a virtually no options for keeping debris out of conservatory gutters.

Q. Does SuraFlow-GutterGuard work with box gutters as fitted to my conservatory?

A. SuraFlow-GutterGuard relies on an open edge for debris to be blown off the roof and the guard itself. Unfortunately, with a box gutter, enclosed valley or gulley there is no means of putting a cover over them. All that would happen is that the problem would be lifted up as there would only be the end or ends of the gutter from which the debris could get out.

Q. How long does it take to install a rainwater system?

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Last modified: April 24, 2007