It sounds crazy, but it’s been known to happen. Most people assume that since gutters catch so much rain that there’s no way that they could catch fire. But what gutters also catch, if not properly protected, is plant debris, like leaves, twigs, and pine needles.
In periods of summer where there is little rain, this debris will dry out, turning it into rather effective tinder. Then, all it takes is the right circumstances to turn in to a dangerous house fire.
What kind of circumstances? During the day, when the hot summer sun is beating down on the metal gutters and heating them up, the right convergence of reflected sun light may create a bright spot hot enough to spark some dried leaves. Summer time is also a popular time to light fireworks, which can send small sparks and embers floating through the air. This can also happen when people have back yard bonfires or barbeques. Hot embers that are small enough to carry on a mild breeze can stay lit for up to a minute, more than enough time for them to float up towards the roof and then land inside the gutters.
To make matters worse, when people are lighting fireworks, or burning fires, they are far less likely to notice the smell of smoke coming from the gutters well above their heads. It’s not until there’s a sufficiently dangerous fire roaring across their roof does anyone notice. Hopefully at that point it’s not to late to put the fire out before anyone is hurt and the home is destroyed.
The best way to prevent gutter fires is to prevent the gutters from collecting leaves and debris in the first place. Gutterglove is the best product available on the market for doing that. By using a stainless steel micromesh that not even the tiniest spark could squeeze through, you’ll be protecting your home from dangers you probably didn’t even know existed.
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