What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you 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 right where to place 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 areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can lead to all of the issues below:
- Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from 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 mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This may force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Premiere Gutters of Plymouth do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and look, or you might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know 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
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Plymouth
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Premiere Gutters of Plymouth recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Premiere Gutters of Plymouth 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, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Plymouth
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Premiere Gutters of Plymouth may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters need 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 reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done correctly.