What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but 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 where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain 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 sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be costly and difficult to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably 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 see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This could force 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 AllClean Anderson Gutters do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and nearby 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 there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Anderson
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 should be the route AllClean Anderson Gutters recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, AllClean Anderson Gutters 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Anderson
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, AllClean Anderson Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will 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 will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips above to ensure the new installation was done correctly.