Straight answers on how RainDrop® gutter guards work, what they're made of, whether they handle pine needles and maple seeds, and what the warranty actually covers.
If you've got questions we haven't covered here, just call — (828) 624-4249.
How They Work
A good gutter guard keeps leaves, pine straw, and clog-forming debris out of your gutters while letting water flow straight through. The RainDrop® system we install does exactly that — water gets in, debris sheds off and washes away, and you stop climbing a ladder to scoop out wet leaves.
A specialized polypropylene blend with added UV stabilizers — not vinyl, and not metal mesh. Polypropylene is built for the outdoors: it stays strong in intense sun, has a high melting point (around 320°F), doesn't absorb water (so it won't mold or break down from bacteria), resists most oils and solvents, and takes real abuse before it ever cracks. The UV stabilizers add another layer of protection against sun damage.
A long time. The first RainDrop guards were installed back in 2000 and are still working today — which is why the warranty was increased to 20 years. For most homeowners, RainDrop will outlast the time you spend in your home.
Debris & Local Conditions
The seed pods are too big to drop through the openings, and the occasional "wing" that works its way in will work its way back out. You won't be pulling out handfuls like before. For homes surrounded by maples, locusts, or pines, we recommend pairing the guards with the Wide Mouth Outlet to keep everything flowing.
Pine needles roll down the roof and mostly roll right over the guard and off onto the ground. Every now and then a few find their way in — far fewer than you deal with now — and the Wide Mouth Outlet keeps them from snagging at the downspout. For the wooded lots common around Catawba County, this combination handles pine well.
No — and this is where cheap micro-mesh products get it wrong. Fine roof grit is too small to clog a gutter; it simply washes through the system. Micro-mesh tries to block everything, so that fine grit builds up on top, eventually blocking the water too (and those screens are prone to mold). RainDrop lets the harmless fine stuff flush through while keeping the clog-forming debris out and moving.
Installation & Warranty
No. Installing gutter guards under the first course of shingles does not void a roof warranty — that's a common myth. (What can void it is driving nails straight through all the roof layers with no sealant, which we never do.) RainDrop fastens to the front lip of the gutter, and if you'd prefer, it can be installed "drop-in" style instead.
Far less — but no guard system is truly "never touch it again." An occasional check keeps everything flowing perfectly, which is why we offer annual maintenance plans to handle it for you.
Yes — a 20-year limited transferable warranty, registered within 30 days of install. See our Warranty page for the full details.
Service Area & Pricing
Hickory and the surrounding Western NC communities — Conover, Newton, Morganton, Statesville, Lenoir, Granite Falls, Denver, Bethlehem, and more. See our full service area or just call and we'll confirm.