What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that even 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 lower.
Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be expensive and difficult to repair.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially if it appears 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 pooling water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the 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 a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.
You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their 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. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Clifton Gutter Solutions do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that is unable to make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove 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 one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Clifton
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 Clifton Gutter Solutions encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Clifton Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Clifton
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Clifton Gutter Solutions may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have 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 our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.