What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out instead of remaining stagnant. They 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 gutter
This formula tells a gutter installation technician right where to place the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Long 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 be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center 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 can be expensive and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull 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 properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.
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 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 an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might 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 True Clean Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess granules in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a little 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to 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 you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Taunton
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route True Clean Gutters encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, True Clean Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Taunton
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, True Clean Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of 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 come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation is done the right way.