What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This formula tells a gutter installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.
You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with both feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Premiere Gutter Service do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Premiere
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Premiere Gutter Service recommends.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Premiere Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Premiere
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Premiere Gutter Service may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done correctly.