What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out of them instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.
Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.
You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their 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 home’s gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Pristine Clean Gutters do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To eliminate the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Woodbury
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Pristine Clean Gutters recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Pristine Clean Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Woodbury
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Pristine Clean Gutters may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.