What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This formula tells a gutter installer right where to fasten the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Longer areas 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 of the downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be costly and complex to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain 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 sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are properly 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 notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your 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 an issue. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Kent Gutter Cleaning do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more 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 and look, or you might notice some of these 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 can’t 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 water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To stop the possibility of 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 one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can create many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Kent
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Kent Gutter Cleaning encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Kent Gutter Cleaning 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 determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Kent
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Kent Gutter Cleaning may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done correctly.