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An Illinois couple claims the LeafFilter gutter system is defective and actually left them with more work to do to ensure their gutters worked properly.
According to lead plaintiffs James and Geraldine Zilinsky, the LeafFilter gutter system is advertised as a time- and labor-saving device that will spare homeowners the hassle of traditional gutter cleaning. In fact, the couple says they and other consumers paid a premium for the product based on these marketing claims.
However, they soon discovered the product suffered from defects that made it more difficult for their gutters to function. In addition, the LeafFilter’s defects resulted in damage to their property.
“LeafFilter possesses a latent defect that prevents substantial amounts of rainwater from passing through the LeafFilter system and instead causes (1) rainwater to flow over the top of the LeafFilter system and damage Plaintiffs’ and class members’ homes, foundations, landscaping, sidewalks, and fascia; and (2) debris to accumulate on top of the LeafFilter system that must be cleaned off by the homeowner,” the class action lawsuit alleges.
LeafFilter is advertised as a gutter guard, according to the class action lawsuit, that purportedly prevents leaves and other debris from entering a home’s gutter, saving homeowners from the task of gutter cleaning. The product is touted as protecting a home’s gutters from all types of debris, including leaves, pine needles and even grit from shingles, the complaint states.
The Zalinskys say they fell for advertising by the manufacturer LeafFilter North, in early 2020 and paid more than $3,000 to have the product installed in their home; however, the plaintiffs say, they noticed water washed over the system during heavy rainfall within a month of having the system in place. They claim that prior to calling to notify the company about the rainfall overflow issue, they were never informed that the LeafFilter would not work during heavy rain.
According to the complaint, LeafFilter recommended lowering their gutters to solve the problem. The Zalinskys said they hired another contractor to evaluate whether the gutters could be lowered on their home and were told emphatically not to lower the gutters. Instead, the couple alleges, they paid nearly $400 to have the LeafFilter removed and it is now sitting in their garage.
“Had Defendant disclosed the defect, Plaintiffs and class members would have negotiated a lower price to reflect the risk and defect or simply avoided the risk and defect altogether by not purchasing LeafFilter,” the complaint states.
The class action lawsuit claims LeafFilter North has known of problems with its product for years but still advertises the product to consumers. The plaintiffs say LeafFilter North actively conceals the defective nature of the LeafFilter from consumers.
The complaint points out that many consumers have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) about LeafFilter, along with notifying their attorney general’s office.
According to the class action lawsuit, the filter on the LeafFilter gutter system is too fine. It clogs up, the complaints say, and needs more cleaning than the regular gutters ever did. Online complaints also describe water pour off homes with LeafFilter installed, causing mold and other damage.
The plaintiffs contend LeafFilter North not only fails to disclose its defective product in its marketing materials, it makes an effort to scrub the internet of consumer complaints.
According to the class action lawsuit, “once consumers complain about the LeafFilter defect, Defendant enters into confidential settlement agreements with consumers, which requires the consumer to promise not to disparage/ further disparage the LeafFilter system through online message or complaint boards such as the BBB, yelp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and other consumer information websites and social media platforms, as a condition of removal and refund.”
In addition, the plaintiffs say LeafFilter North falsely advertises its warranty.
Allegedly, the so-called limited lifetime warranty is “specifically crafted” to only cover internal clogs in the gutter system; however, the plaintiffs point out the problem comes from debris on top of the LeafFilter that does not allow water to enter into the gutter.
The class action lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased a LeafFilter gutter system, as well as Ohio and Illinois subclasses. The plaintiffs accuse LeafFilter North of violating state consumer protection lawsuit, of fraud and of unjust enrichment.
Have you had a LeafFilter gutter system installed? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
The lead plaintiffs James and Geraldine Zilinsky and the proposed Class Members are represented by Jeffrey S. Goldenberg and Todd B. Naylor of Goldenberg Schneider LPA; and Janet R. Varnell, Matthew Peterson and Brian Warwick of Varnell & Warwick.
The LeafFilter Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Zilinsky v. LeafFilter North LLC, Case No. 2:20-cv-6229, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division.
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454 thoughts onLeafFilter Gutter System Defective, Class Action Lawsuit Says
Please include me in the lawsuit. I am in Northern MN and had Leaf filter installed in Oct 2020. In the first week, I had water pouring over the gutters. First time after light snow melt. Second time during a rain after temps in the 50s-60s for several days. I have been calling every couple of weeks to get them removed and my money refunded. I continue to get passed along. No one calls me back. It is now Feb 2021.
Please add me to the class action suit. I regretted buying these things the same day they were installed. The installers damaged roof shingles, my house fascia, left debris in my yard, and the product quickly began getting blocked. In the winter, the filter gets easily covered by ice and so the water runoff just flows over the edge and causes issues. When leaves fall on the filter, they accumulate quite easily and get matted down – preventing water from entering the gutters. The warranty is such a scam as it disclaims nearly all liability – even damages caused by the installers!
And you don’t see warranty until you purchase and register for it.
Leaf Filter advertises never clogs and never get on your roof again, Guaranteed. I had them come out to look at an ice dam. Their brochure showed ice dams and they told me they could fix it with their product. I paid over $4000 for their product. 3 weeks later the ice dam is back much worse than ever.
They told me it was my problem and that I had to get up on my roof and clean it out myself. This is one of the worst companies I have ever dealt with. Can I join a class action lawsuit?.
Please include contact me concerning the lawsuit. I have two years of documentation of pictures, emails, “repairs,” and BBB emails.
Please include us on this lawsuit. Paid way too much for this product. Falsely advertises its warranty. You have to pay everytime they come out.
I have the water overflow problem and now ice dams in a brand new roof. Calls are not returned. I was finally told someone would come out but they never did. I paid over $8000. Will be having my roofer out to evaluate.
Do not get these. I hired an attorney myself. What people say is right. All of it. 4500 dollars lost.
Please include me I was a sales rep with Leaf Filter and after working there 6 months i saw the unethical practices done not only to the consumers on the junk product not working and then not honoring their warranties but also selling systems for tens of thousands of dollars to handicap senior citizens with few years left to live……. I am very against this company as they have neglected to pay me for complaining about us not honoring our warranty.
Please include me in this class action lawsuit. Had leaf filter installed in 2017 and it has been a total nightmare. Frustrating to know end. Craig and Patti Brown, Elizabethtown, Ky.
Please add me.
This commment is for services provided in SF, Bay Area, San Jose, CA. I had the products installed on June16, 2020 and after the first major rain in November, the rain water flowed over the gutter and came down like a waterfall. The technician came out and thought that installing extra down spouts to divert the water, it should prevent the over flow. However, the issue repeated itself when it rained again. Service manager and technician came out, and ran some tests, and determined that the grits from the roof is clogging the mesh and causing the over flow. I was telling them that it does not function as their advertisements and guarantees said “you would never have to clean your gutter again.” They cleaned the face of gutter protectors and said it is not their product’s fault. Service manager explained their product prevents leaves and other debris from entering the gutter, and not clean the inside of the gutter again. It is technically true since grits and debris clog the mesh and nothing goes in the gutter including the rainwater. Water overflows like not having gutters at all. Service manager said we need to call the support if it clogs again.
We have more issues after the installation than before and Leaf Filter gave us run around and refuses to back what they advertise. I have had only regrets since the purchase of LeafFilter.