Thankfully our economy still operates with basic supply and demand. There is a significant demand for a self-cleaning gutter. Today’s homeowners prefer to make an initial investment in a product that will free them from the dangerous and unpleasant task of gutter cleaning. Our modern world with technology, multi-tasking, and weather prediction abilities draw our attention away from this important task of seasonal gutter cleaning. Product development in this industry has exploded in answer to this demand for something better, and like any other industry a wide variety in quality and design in now available.
“Every week, we’re asked to remove clogged or failed gutter screens, filters and guards that didn’t protect the home. Your house is too big of an investment for that gamble.” — Lora Brown, Owner of Ever Clean Gutter System
Why are there so many new gutters? And they All claim to be the best? Glad you asked!
There are a lot of gutter products out there — from basic screens to full-coverage systems — and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Today there are MANY choices and many different types of companies that offer a new gutter, and every single product claims to be the BEST.…….Do the homework before making a decision.
The History of Gutters
The history of gutters is a fascinating look at how humans have managed rainwater for thousands of years—long before modern homes existed. While today’s gutters are engineered systems, their purpose has always been the same: protect buildings by controlling water.
- Ancient Beginnings: Water Control Before “Gutters”: Long before gutters as we know them, ancient civilizations understood that uncontrolled rainwater destroys structures. Early solutions included: Stone channels carved into roofs and walls; Sloped roofs directing water away from foundations; and Drainage courtyards and water basins. Ancient Rome perfected water control with aqueducts, roof overhangs, and stone drainage systems—many of which still exist today. Their buildings were designed to last, and managing rainwater was essential.
- Middle Ages: Functional, Heavy, and Decorative: During the Middle Ages, gutters became more visible—and more dramatic. Key developments included Stone gutters built into castles and cathedrals; Gargoyles used as decorative downspouts to throw water away from walls; and Lead-lined wooden troughs in early homes. These systems were effective but heavy, expensive, and difficult to maintain.
- 18th–19th Century: Gutters Come to Homes: As cities grew, gutters moved from castles to everyday houses. Common materials included Wooden gutters lined with pitch or metal; Cast iron gutters (durable but heavy and prone to rust); and Copper gutters on high-end homes and public buildings. This era marked the shift from purely functional drainage to architectural integration.
- Early–Mid 20th Century: Mass Production & Modern Materials: With industrialization came Rolled metal gutters, Lighter materials like aluminum, and Standardized sizes and hangers. Aluminum quickly became popular because it Didn’t rust, Was lighter than iron, and could be shaped easily. This made gutters affordable and common on nearly every home.
- Late 20th Century: Seamless Gutters & Better Fastening: A major breakthrough came with seamless gutters because they were custom-formed on site; Fewer joints → fewer leaks; and they had stronger attachment systems. Hidden hangers replaced spikes, improving strength and appearance.
- 21st Century: Gutter Protection & Performance Engineering: Modern gutters focus on performance, durability, and low maintenance. Some of those systems include guard guards, mesh screens, gutter accessories, gutter filters, and one-piece gutters. Rather than just catching water, modern gutters claim they are designed to manage high volumes efficiently while preventing clogs that lead to damage. But do they really? Do your homework before you buy!
It’s interesting to note that up to 20-50 years ago, all gutters very mainly the same, open to nature’s debris and attached to the home with a long large nail, often referred to as “spike.” The privilege of owning a home came with a list of homeowner maintenance with varying degrees of importance. Seasonal gutter cleaning ranked high on the list of importance due to damage from neglect, though the task was one of the most unpleasant and dangerous. Developers launched a few gutter protection products 20-30 years ago that were initially well received, but presented problems in time. Gutters didn’t start as accessories—they started as structural necessities. And just like centuries ago, a well-designed gutter system is one of the most important defenses your home has against the elements.
The History of Ever Clean Gutters
A gentleman named Russell Brown had his own construction business in 1996. While working in his field as a licensed general contractor, Russell discovered many incidents of water damage due to faulty gutter screens, gutter covers, gutter guards, leaf guards, and gutter mesh. He encountered many homeowners who were very frustrated with their gutters, and their rain gutter covers. He too became frustrated with what the gutter market offered. Our company in fact began nearly 25 years ago when our remodeling company repeatedly observed failed gutter covers which left homeowners free from gutter cleaning but with wood rot from misguided rainwater in gutters with covers. Many homeowners learned the hard way that gutters must above all carry the rain water away from the house, and novelty covers prevented this from functioning correctly.
Russell wondered at the thought, why do we, as intelligent people, climb ladders, risking bodily harm just to rescue our house from clogged gutters causing rotted wood and damp basements? So he decided he was going to design a gutter system that would address the concerns of his family, friends, neighbors and clients. Then, he went to work on his gutter design; after research, travel and study, he finished a year later. Now to find someone that could design a machine that could cut and bend the aluminum to his specifications. Russell submitted his plan to 6 countries and 63 companies before he found the right person. Russell also had to design a bracket that was strong enough to handle all the weather elements mother nature would test it with. This bracket could not brake or crack with extreme temperature changes or ice loads. After researching automotive formulas for various brackets, he found his formula.
Russell now had one last task, what to name his gutter design. Russell thought it must be special and different from all the others currently being used and confused due to their similarity. In looking through his notes, he found a thought he had written down: “I want these gutters to stay clear and clean forever”. There it was “Ever Clean”.
Our gutter system comes with a lifetime warranty to NEVER clog and a lifetime warranty that the system will not pull away from your house, making it completely maintenance-free. After 25 years of installing Ever Clean Gutter Systems in KY, OH, IN and NC, we have field-tested evidence that our gutters are nearly indestructible. Our gutters are pine tree proof, whirlybird proof, maple tree proof, or any tree we throw at it, our gutter system remains free flowing and clog free. Our gutters are also rainstorm proof by keeping the rain water in the gutter and away from your home, preventing water damage, mold, air quality issues, pest infestations due to moisture, and cracked foundations.
Compare Brands BEFORE you Buy:
- Compare Installation, Design and Materials:
The materials used, the brackets, the installation process, the design of a gutter system have different lifespans and maintenance needs. Understanding these helps you decide. - Understand Real Maintenance Needs: Some “maintenance-free” claims can be misleading. Reading reviews and checking warranties lets you see how often you’ll really need to clean or service them.
- Check Warranty and Service Quality: A strong warranty is only as good as the company’s responsiveness. Investigate customer feedback on installation quality and service follow-up.
- Avoid Costly Replacements: Choosing a brand without understanding its track record can lead to clogs, leaks, or early replacement, turning a big investment into an even bigger expense.
- Gutter Size Matters: Clog free systems need to be large, offering lots of surface area for the water to cling to as it flows into the gutter and down the downspouts. Make sure the gutter trough is at minimum 3 inches in depth in order to carry the water to the downspouts.
- Proper Installation Matters: Clog free systems must mount securely, using multi function brackets that support both the bottom and the top, maintaining proper placement over many years of use. Any system that installs gutter brackets that only support the hood or are missing either the placement clip or forward pitching support may decrease in performance immediately as the trough begins to sag.
- Location Matters: The Ever Clean Gutter System is mounted to the fascia board, positioned up and under the roof’s drip edge (never to the roof deck or into the shingles), which protects the fascia wood, preserves the roof warranty, and manages water flow properly. Beware of gutter systems or gutter accessories that interface or are attached to your roofing material. If not installed to the proper location, damage and rot are possible, and can possible affect your roof’s warranty.*
Read their Reviews
“Easy to work with. Never pushy. Always spoke to me with great respect. Then the install went off without any problems. The workers were all kind, respectful of my property and took pride in their work. Quality craftsmanship. Great product. Did exactly as it was supposed to do and is holding up great.” – Paulette N., Google 5 Star Review of NC
Use the internet to find reviews or complaints? Can you look closely at who owns the product, where it is manufactured, who are the actual installers, and how long has it been in use? Invest the time to make an educated decision for your real estate investment.
Ever Clean Gutter System has deliberate design features that have not changed in 25 years. Ever Clean Gutter System has 4.9 star review rating on Google. We encourage you to read our reviews at Google, Angi, Houzz, HomeAdvisor, Facebook and BBB.
