Your questions about eavestroughs and Alu-Rex products

The DoublePro. Its two layers of perforated aluminum have offset holes that act as a filter: rainwater drains freely while pine needles and leaves stay out. It is the only system covered by a lifetime warranty on materials, strength and clogging, even in pine areas.

Alu-Rex's flagship product carries the most extensive warranty in the industry: a lifetime warranty on materials, strength and clogging, even in pine areas. DoublePro is the only gutter guard whose clog-free warranty covers pine areas.

Only temporarily. The smooth, perforated surface sits in the sun and the wind, so leaves dry quickly and blow away. Because air circulates through the perforations, they dry even faster than on a solid surface: a 10 km/h breeze removes wet leaves, and a 37 km/h wind clears about an inch of pine needles per linear foot.

Snow can't get inside the eavestrough, so the trough only carries what sits on top and stays empty and working. When the snow and ice melt, the water drains away freely. Without protection, an eavestrough already full of leaves fills up with snow and ice, carries more weight and can't drain in the spring.

No. Alu-Rex products do not cause ice to form. If icicles form at the edge of the roof, have the attic ventilation and insulation checked: they are the usual cause of ice along the roofline. Properly installed drip edge flashing also stops the drips that freeze on sidewalks.

No. No shingles are lifted and no nails or screws go into the roof: the hanger is fastened to the fascia. Beware of look-alike products that require lifting the shingles. Lifted shingles dry out, become brittle and can void the shingle manufacturer's warranty.

With DoublePro, the eavestrough supports 425 lb (193 kg) per linear foot; with T-Rex, 250 lb (113 kg) per linear foot. The support is even along the whole length, while spikes and spaced hangers only reinforce a few inches on either side of each fastener.

Its first quality is strength. With DoublePro or T-Rex, your eavestroughs stand up better to snow, ice and impacts and keep their shape for decades. Trees also grow: your eavestroughs will be ready. If you have no trees and are happy to maintain your eavestroughs yourself, steel hidden hangers are a lower-cost option.

Spikes, screws and hangers only give strength a few inches to either side of them; the spaces in between are weak. With DoublePro or T-Rex, the eavestrough is equally solid across its entire length. There are no weak spots.

Very little. In most cases a light breeze sweeps normal debris away. Under roof overhangs or on sheltered sections where the wind can't reach, debris can build up: clearing those spots once in a while keeps the system working at its best.

The Gutter Clean System is a gutter guard placed on your existing eavestroughs to keep leaves and debris out. T-Rex is a continuous hanger for new eavestroughs: it fastens them solidly to the house and keeps large debris out. DoublePro is also a continuous hanger, but its dual-layer microfiltration keeps out even fine debris such as pine needles.

Yes. DoublePro drains 40.6 in (1,031 mm) of water per hour per linear foot, T-Rex and the Gutter Clean System 29.7 in (754 mm) of water per hour per linear foot: far more than the heaviest rainfall ever recorded. Overflow almost always comes from eavestroughs that are too small or from too few downspouts. One downspout drains about 600 sq. ft. of roof, and we size every installation accordingly.

No. Their openings let debris in and trap leaves, which turn into soil where plants grow and end up clogging the eavestrough. They also bend under snow and ice. In the end you still have to climb a ladder to clean them.

We supply and install 5″, 6″ and 7″ seamless eavestroughs, with 8″ coming soon. Larger roofs and commercial buildings can get 6″ commercial-grade steel. Every run is sloped with a level so no water sits in the trough.

The traditional downspout for 5″ and 6″ eavestroughs is 2⅝″ square. Our 3″ square downspouts and outlets carry about 30% more water, so the system keeps up with heavy rain. Each outlet is cut into the eavestrough by hand and sealed.

Eavestroughs hung with spikes and ferrules or hangers usually need cleaning every year, and twice a year near trees. Our Clean, Flush and Tighten service takes care of it. Adding the Alu-Rex Gutter Clean System afterwards stops most of the clogging for good.

Yes. Steve comes out, looks at your home, explains what he sees and gives you an honest quote, with no obligation. Call 780-377-1136 or send us your project through the contact form.

Edmonton and the surrounding area: St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, Nisku, Beaumont, Devon, Fort Saskatchewan, Morinville and Gibbons. Not on the list? Give us a call.