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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
I talked to Leaf Filter representatives a number of times about overflow. Some said they can’t fix it unless they see the overflow; other representatives say they have to adjust the slant of the gutter. How do I join the class action
I am surprised by what I have read concerning the company. I just had mine installed in 2021 but I am beginning to experience problems with overflowing of water. Add me
I am having same problem w/ over flow of water in corners of my home having LeafFilter system in stalled. Am waiting now to hear back from them by Wednesday Nov. 2nd. Has anyone had this made right??!!
Additionally,I purchased LeafFilter System July 2021.
I am having a huge issue with my leaf filter after Hurricane IAN. We paid an enormous amount of money to have it installed and since have had a hurricane that pulled out all the mesh. I had a roofer come over to inspect my roof and he said its pure garbage. People it’s not metal its part plastic a rip off. I want to file a class action suit against Leaf Filter all the lies they give you. Then Leaf Filter company wants $105 to come inspect and then to put the mesh back they want $4 a square foot or if they can use the mesh that’s loose its $2 a square foot. Leaf filter installs a product in Florida that is NOT hurricane proof so definitely not up to our codes! DO NOT WASTE YOUR money. I wasted mine and want to help you save yours!!!! I will be doing my homework and figuring all this class action lawsuit stuff cause they have it coming!
I too purchased the LeafFilter System in June of 2021, including their 6″ gutters and downspouts. Since that time I have been on my roof 3 times to clean out/off my gutter screens. I also discovered the pitch on the gutters were incorrectly installed.
I contacted their Customer Service office yesterday and they sent out a two man crew to examine my claims and assertions. They agreed the pitch was off, but also discovered the fascia in the rear of the house was rotten. just a note…my roof was totally replaced in 2016. They called their manager and I was told they would replace the fascia board, but I would be stuck with the labor costs. I questioned why the original installers wouldn’t have brought this to my attention, as I my have decided not to purchase this system at that time….that is if this damage was actually present before installation. When I brought up the fact of the leaves and debris being stuck in the gutter system, I was told to purchase a 24 foot extension broom to use to remove the debris from ground level.
So, yes, the problems with LeafFilters’ system continues to be a problem, but now we, the consumer, are being asked to correct said problems.
I purchased leaf filter and am having leaks behind my gutters. They have been back and forth with me for years and there is always an excuse of promise of a fix which never happens. I spoke with a manager today and said it’s my roof and not their problem. I have never had leaks prior to their install. The debris also piles up and needs to be cleaned regularly. I am so upset as I feel they took advantage of me! I would love my money back and the product removed!
I am having some of the same issues as most. Gutters were installed September 2022, we had our first heavy rain in October (less than a month) this is when I noticed that rain was coming behind, and over the gutters. I can also see where some of the gutters are not installed properly, they are bent and i noticed screws all around my yard (are they coming out of the gutters??? )I reached out to the company several times and no one have showed up or even returning my call. the gutters cost me over $8,000. It appears that they are preying on people to make a sale but are lacking skills and integrity to make sure the customer is satisfied and that the job is done correctly. Upon the initial walk through, I was not told that there was any problems that they seen that would prevent them to correctly install the gutters. This is so unfair and they need to be held responsible. most people do not have the extra money to throw away and/or have to hire another contractor to do a job we already paid for. please help
I purchased leaf filter and am having leaks behind my gutters. They have been back and forth with me for years and there is always an excuse of promise of a fix which never happens. I spoke with a manager today and said it’s my roof and not their problem. I have never had leaks prior to their install. The debris also piles up and needs to be cleaned regularly. I am so upset as I feel they took advantage of me! I would love my money back and the product removed!
Ours have also collected debris and stale water where mosquitos breed.
I feel I was taken advantage of also. I too have water pour over the top with a good downpour. I have to climb upon the ladder and clean off the filters several times a year because of roofing sand and now the leaves are falling so will have to clean off the filters several times. They do not automatically blow off. When I called them out I was charged $99 for the service call so I just gave up and clean them myself. Lifetime warranty does not include service call. I am 76 years old and that was the whole reason for purchasing them to prevent me going up the ladder. I feel I was taken advantage of and they aren’t worth a darn. Didn’t accomplish anything except paying for a worthless product.
We are seeing the same issues. First fall after the install earlier this year. Leaves staying on the filter and causing the rain to runoff and never getting into the gutters. We were specifically told this would not happen. Very ticked off.
We had the leaf filter system installed in the summer of 2020. Clogging began the first autumn when the rains began. To make this a brief comment, I will move ahead to the class action lawsuit claim form I received in the mail yesterday. I can’t believe Leaf Filter is only liable for $200 for removal of their system. It cost $4,000. for the system and the terms of the class action lawsuit does not cover that. Any advice, or help from any unhappy Leaf Filter customers would be appreciated.
Ken,
I feel the same way. I don’t want vouchers for cleaning gutters. Their got to be more done. I paid way too much to have a system that promised a lot and delivered nothing. What else can we do???
I bought them. The water poured over the gutter. They have been plugged several times. The first time they came and cleaned them out. The second time I left numerous messages about them being plugged. I didn’t even get a call back. I called corporate and they sent someone out a second time. It took a very long time. I bought them so that I would not have to worry about having the gutters cleaned. I have the whole problem because of a neighbors tree. I paid to have the branches cut back off my house. Because the tree is not mine I can’t have it taken down so I have to deal with the excessive pine needles all over my property inside and out and constant gutter plugging issues.
After reading all the comments concerning LF and how it never worked, I realize I was duped of $6,000 back in 2018. From the beginning it NEVER worked as stated. I been in a ladder more times than I care to count. Each time, I’ve reached out to the company, I’ve been ignored. Recently, I’ve contacted LF North about their product that does not function as stated in their paperwork. Three appointments to “inspect” the problem have been scheduled and three times NO ONE has shown up. Some one entered in my file that a technician showed up, no one was home and he did a two hr inspection and found no issue. Another person entered that on a different date the technician came and spoke to me about the “cost” yo correct the issues and that refused to pay. These were entered FALSELY into my file. I hope LF North is held liable and that I can recover some of my $6,000.
Terry,
I’m in the same situation. I have had about 4 different people come out look at the gutters. They say they are going to make recommendations and nothing happens after that. Corporate tells me all they can do is see if the regional manager will give me a call. I have not received a call back even after I call myself and leave a message. At this point I just want them to take their defective product and reimburse me what I spent to install it.
Wow! I here you all.. I’ve only had mine less then a year, called the company when the first snow came, I had a build up of large icicles hanging from my home in my 30 year’s I’ve never had that happen not only that there was ice building up on top of the filter under my shingle off my down spouts and when it started to melt then I had it on my sidewalk to my front door and the opening on my garage what a mess it was. I called the company the first part of February one of there employees told me I should look into a heating coil…I didn’t buy these to add other expense. It’s ready sad to think of how a company like there’s don’t seem to be bothered by the consumers only by the sell of something that doesn’t work. This company shouldn’t be in business. I’m so frustrated at this point I have gotten no where in 10 months a few calls but that was because I was so mad they’d just turn me over to the next..shame on them I want my money back they don’t work… they need to be taken off my house before winter.
I purchased Leaf Filter gutter system and shortly after the water not going into the gutter had done damage to panel near the gutter. I called them and they denied it was due to their product do I had to repair. Now I see this.
Soon after Leaf Filter was installed on our house, I noticed that when it rained the water just flowed right over the filter and onto our paver brick porch (which is being damaged by the heavy water flow). The filter was logged by the small seeds from trees. When I called,I was told I need to take a broom and sweep off the seeds on top of the filter.