What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle 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 the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in 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 mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of blocked water in your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull 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 ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.
You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Action Gutter Cleaning check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and look, or you might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a little 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can result in a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Romeoville
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Action Gutter Cleaning encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Action Gutter Cleaning will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Romeoville
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Action 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 with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use our tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.