What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know 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 calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly 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 the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be expensive and difficult to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin 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 said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.
You should still be able to notice 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 in your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This could require 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 Greenwood Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of 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 problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Greenwood
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Greenwood Gutters encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Greenwood Gutters 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Greenwood
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Greenwood Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can 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 proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.