What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than 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 your gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your 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 each side. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
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 an indication that your gutter is damaged or 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 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 inside of your gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may 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 Hometown Huntington Gutters do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind 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 common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from 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 usually 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 see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To eliminate 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 there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Huntington
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Hometown Huntington Gutters recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Hometown Huntington Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way 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 correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Huntington
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Hometown Huntington Gutters may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with 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 make sure the new installation was done correctly.