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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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453 thoughts onLeafFilter Gutter System Defective, Class Action Lawsuit Says
Had leaf filter installed May 2023. Problems every time it rains. Asked for removal and refund. Was told technician said all working fine but that’s not what he told me. Any help is appreciated.
I put in Leaf Filter four years ago and have had trouble with their system ever since. I have had them over to my house on several occassions to fix the same problem which they never resolved. The problem is rain pours over the leaf guards and never makes it into the gutters. It’s as if I don’t even have gutters!
I asked them to remove their system and refund my purchase. I was given lip service, but that was all I got from them. I ended up having someone else remove their system and putting up new gutters at a cost to me of $3080!
If someone out there has an effective resource please share it with me.
Thanks!
We had leaf filters installed two years ago for about $3800. This summer we had very hard rains in Vermont and I noticed water pouring over the gutters front and back. Then water started seeping in under the the basement walls. We were in the process of preparing to move. I thought I had the water in the basement under control and we went ahead with our move. Before we had the house listed a few weeks later, we had an inspection done and he found the gutters totally covered and clogged with pine needles and that there was a bad black mold problem in the bottom two levels of the house. It was so bad they would have to be gutted and remediated. This was because water had continued to seep in every time it rained after we had left. We ended up selling the house as is and at tremendous loss in value, about $100,000 less than we originally were going to ask.
We had leaf filters installed in 2016. The water just came over the side of the gutters and made a mess every time it rained.
I called and asked for them to be removed, they always came up with a “better idea”. This has gone on and on. Now we had a leak, and had a roofer come out and the plywood all along the gutters was rotten. the roof cost extra as they had to replace all of the plywood around the edges of the roof. I have called and called. We have a money back warrantee that isn’t worth the paper it was written on.
Now they will not return my calls. I have a bunch of pictures to prove that these leaf filters are the reason my roof failed.
Please please help me.
We were never notified about the class action, can we still apply
Class action was settled March, 2023. You have to file in small claims yourself like I and many others are doing.
If there is a recent class action law suit, I need help cause I also got screwed over by leaf filter
Is it to late to join the Lawsuit. Have been trying to
Get refund for over 2 years , biggest scam I have ever seen. Now it leaks inside the house
I’m a sucker, too! What a scam!! Water flies over my gutters, and dribbles out if downspout!! Can’t get anyone to do a damn thing!! Maybe we can start a new class action suit?
Just went thru a thunderstorm and watched water just roll off of my house and not into gutters – I’ve had the system for a year – it doesn’t do what it promised
Leaf filter did not do what we hired them for. Told us several untruths, the work is 1/2 completed and we care getting the run around from even the manager we reached out to!! Can I join a class action suit?