What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters have an angled 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 place the downspout so that even heavy 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.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center 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 expensive and difficult to repair.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
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, 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 the ground, 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 follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could force 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 Rockford Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may 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 can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To eliminate the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Rockford
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Rockford Gutter Service recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Rockford Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Rockford
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Rockford Gutter Service may recommend that you replace them instead of 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 include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.