FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Imagine hundreds of hangers, hanging side by side, on an eavestrough. The result would obviously be one of the most durable and solid systems possible. That's what the T-Rex system offers you: one continuous, single fastener equivalent to hundreds of hangers. Although both the T-Rex and Gutter Clean provide you with the anti-clog leaf guard, the T-Rex's main purpose is to secure the eavestrough to your home. In fact, the T-Rex is a professional grade continuous fastening system which replaces the usual spikes and hangers when installing new eavestroughs. The device increases the strength of the rain gutters. For its part, the Gutter Clean System is designed for rain gutters that are already installed and do not require replacement. It is a protective system which prevents leaves, debris, ice and snow from clogging the rain gutters. The Gutter Clean System leaf guard simply sits on top of your existing eavestroughs.

Alu-Rex products are covered by a 40-year warranty against Therefore, you will likely not require access to the inside of your eavestroughs. However, if you require such access, ensure that your installer equip you with access panels located near the downspouts. To reiterate, access to the inside of your eavestroughs should not be required since Alu-Rex products are covered by a 40-year warranty against blockage.

No. The solution for your existing gutters is the Gutter Clean System. The T-Rex system not only acts as a leaf guard; it's an eavestrough fastening system. If you want to protect your existing rain gutters from fallen leaves, debris, ice and snow, you must choose the Gutter Clean System, which can be installed directly over your existing gutters. However, if your eavestroughs need to be replaced, the T-Rex system is an excellent choice, as it will provide protection against leaves while improving the security of your rain gutter system. The T-Rex system replaces traditional spikes or hangers.

The T-Rex system is equivalent to placing hundreds of hangers side-by-side to secure your eavestrough. It acts as a continuous fastener and has no weak points. Ordinary spikes and hangers are usually spaced at regular intervals, roughly 16 inches (40 cm) apart, which reduces the solidity of the rain gutter between anchoring points.

Ice and snow are the main reasons. The weight of accumulated ice and snow exerts significant pressure on rain gutters. In addition, ice falling from your roof can strike the eavestrough and cause major damage. Moreover, ice trapped inside your eavestrough can expand during freeze/thaw cycles, causing the eavestrough to warp and weakening the achoring ability of spikes and hangers. With the T-Rex system, ice and snow cannot lodge inside the rain gutters.

The weight of accumulated ice and snow exerts significant pressure on eavestroughs. In addition, ice falling from your roof can strike the eavestrough and damage it. Moreover, trapped ice inside your rain gutter can expand during successive freeze/thaw cycles, causing the rain gutter to warp and loosening the spikes and hangers used to secure the eavestrough to your home. The T-Rex and Gutter Clean System protect your eavestrough from damage caused by snow and ice. Since the ice sits on top of the rain gutter and cannot become trapped within it, the expansion caused by freeze/thaw cycles cannot damage the eavestrough.

Alu-Perf technology features 489 holes every 19 inches (48 cm). The high number of perforations allows water to flow at the same rate as a 2'' x 3'' (5 cm x 7.5 cm) downspout. In addition, Alu-Rex products feature a unique design which includes a small, 0.4'' (1 cm) deep basin. Following lab tests and field trials, it was determined that this depth permits greater water capture while still allowing the wind to clear leaves, coniferous tree needles and debris from the surface. Rigorous testing by an independent certification agency has proven that Alu-Rex products can drain over 29.7 in. (755 mm) of water an hour over a length of 20 feet (6m), a volume of water roughly three times greater that the heaviest waterfall ever recorded. See independent testing results. Overflow is usually caused by the rain gutters themselves (not wide or deep enough for the roof surface) or the downspouts (insufficient number for the roof surface). It is important to ensure there are enough downspouts to avoid overflow problems.

Just as wet leaves may temporarily adhere to the hood of your car, leaves and debris that land on the surface of Alu-Rex eavestrough leaf guards will dry quickly. And unlike your car hood, the perforated surface of your leaf guard ensures they will dry even faster! Wet leaves are still permeable to water. This means that water can infiltrate between the leaves and even through them and run into the rain gutter. Water can always find a way through the perforations. As shown in independent tests, dry leaves and debris will be easily swept away by a little wind:

• A 10 km/h wind effectively removes wet leaves and some 100 pine needles per linear foot.
• A 37 km/h wind can remove one inch (2.5 cm) of pine needles per linear foot.

Alu-Rex products are among the most efficient eavestrough protection systems on the market today. Based on comments in our independent testing results, a light breeze is enough to clear away normal debris. However, debris may build up in areas under the roof or under shallow overhangs on sloped roofs, where the wind cannot reach it. Even if most of the perforations were clogged, the system would still allow sufficient drainage to discharge rainfall, as indicated in our independent testing results. However, we recommend that you occasionally clean out these areas to keep your Alu-Rex products in top working condition. In our experience, the easiest way to remove debris from an eavestrough is to use a broom with the handle reversed, ensuring that you will not require a ladder.

The T-Rex system is primarily an alternative to spaced spikes and hangers eavestroughs fastening systems. The T-Rex system is more durable and of higher quality. Given our harsh Canadian climate, the weight of accumulated ice and snow can exert significant pressure on eavestroughs. In addition, ice falling from your roof can strike the rain gutter and cause major damage. Moreover ice trapped inside your rain gutter can expand during freeze/thaw cycles, causing the rain gutter to warp and weakening the anchoring ability of spikes and hangers. With the T-Rex and Gutter Clean System, ice and snow cannot lodge inside the rain gutter. Finally, new trees may grow... Since the T-Rex and Gutter Clean System are covered by a 40-year warranty.

yes. If your property is located in an area where coniferous trees are abundant, make sure you install a downspout 3'' x 3'' (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm) or larger, so that the installation is compliant with the anti-blockage warranty offered by Alu-Rex. Some debris may accumulate on top of the product, but this will not hinder product performance; debris will eventually be cleared away by the wind. In extreme cases, occasional cleaning may be required.

Alu-Rex products will not cause ice formation, but they do not necessarily prevent it. Ice build-up on the roof of your home is likely caused by ventilation or isolation problems. As a result of heat loss, the snow on your roof melts and begins to run off, and then re-freezes on contact with cold eaves. If you notice icicles or an ice shelf forming, we recommend you consult an insulation and ventilation specialist. Without an installed Alu-Rex system, ice usually forms inside rain gutters and can continue to fill them until icicles appear on the front. Ice accumulation in the eavestroughs may cause irreparable damage to your home due to the expansion caused by repeated freeze/thaw cycles. With Alu-Rex products, ice and snow sit on top of the cover, and drain directly into the rain gutters during thaws or rain showers. For this reason, it is better that ice accumulates on top on the protective cover rather than inside the eavestroughs.

No. The T-Rex system is a fastening device for new eavestroughs. When your installation specialist replaces or installs your new eavestroughs, he may choose to use the T-Rex system rather than the traditional spikes and hangers fasteners, ensuring you will have a higher-quality and more durable fastening device. If you wish to obtain a leaf guard to cover your existing eavestrough, we invite you to ask your installation specialist for more information on the Gutter Clean System.

These kinds or marks sometimes appear on eavestroughs. This phenomenon is normal and is not caused by Alu-Rex products. Dirt, dust, roof tar and environmental polluants are regularly deposited onto your eavestroughs. When it rains, these impurities are absorbed by the rainwater, which then drips onto the visible part of the eavestrough. Cleaning these black streaks requires additional work and the use of cleaning products.

You should ensure that the fascia board is not tilted, which is vary rare. Should this be the case, however, your installation specialist can add a shim to level the eavestrough and then install the T-Rex system. Moreover, T-Rex products are not designed for copper eavestroughs. In this specific case, your installation specialist may install your copper eavestrough and then cover it with the Gutter Clean System MC-5100, which is manufactured from copper.

Yes. The Alu-Rex products are perfect for 5'' (12.7 cm) or 6'' (15.2 cm) wide steel, aluminum, or zinc eavestroughs.

No. Alu-Rex products are virtually invisible from the ground.

No. Alu-Rex products have been tested on a number of plastic and vinyl rain gutters. In most cases, the installation did not meet our rigorous quality standards.

No. Alu-Rex products are made of aluminum and will never rust.