VIRGINIA LEAF GUARD

             My 25 year old gutters were working  well  in handling  moderate to heavy rainfalls.  In fact  shortly before purchasing the 
       property we experienced  a 9 inch downpour in our area.  I inspected the house the next day and found no trace of
        any water penetration  in the basement. After purchase this condition continued.  but as we have trees on our 
       property the gutters needed  cleaning from time to time.  I was attracted,  unfortunately, to the Leaf Guard  "NO CLOG"
        guarantee. 
               After  installation we noticed  an increase in dampness in the basement  after heavy rains  culminating in actual
         water penetration  into the basement  over the last two summers.   I had the Leaf Guard gutters removed  and have
"         now found  no water penetration after heavy rains "PERIOD".
               Before this action I witnessed  in heavy rains  the  "Virtual"  non-existence of the gutters  as the rain poured right
           over this  "Patented" product  and headed directly for my foundations ! !   As guaranteed  they did not clog  perhaps
           due to the fact that there  wasn't enough water in them to clog ! ?  Their performance must be much better in Arizona.
               Further,  when the Leaf Guard gutters were installed  an adapter or converter  was used to make  the transition
            from the down spout  to the underground drain pipe  protruding out of the ground at that location.  I was later
            informed by Leaf Guard representative that a better  type  is "Usually" used. They replaced the converter and 
             "SEALED  IT"  after a "SINK HOLE" had formed  at that location  36 inches long and 28 inches deep.
                  This erosion had formed over a two year  or more period  from the water leakage from  unsealed converter.
               After the adapter was sealed the erosion stopped. I backfilled and tamped the hole at my expense.
                    The erosion was not spotted sooner  because of ground  ivy which  covered  the ground at that location. However
                that ivy was there at the time of the initial installation. 
                      The Leaf Guard Product  DiD Not Clog, so, if your foundation is sealed tight,and you have an interior drainage
                 system  with "DUAL PUMPS"  and a "BACK UP POWER SOURCE"  you probably need not be concerned if you
                 have leaf guard gutters and are away from home during a storm.   Otherwise have your flood insurance paid up.
                       I wrote a letter to Leaf Guard  detailing my experience with their product and received "NO REPLY  OF ANY KIND"
       
                        In summation I would say "THEIR PROFIT"  and  "MY MISTAKE"        I  HOPE  NOT YOURS.
                       .