What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t look 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. 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 your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people sick.
- The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly 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 identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.
You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Good Gutters Inc. do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby 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 you are still seeing overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues 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 incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Springfield
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Good Gutters Inc. encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Good Gutters Inc. 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Springfield
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Good Gutters Inc. may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.