What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear 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 horizontal gutter
This formula tells your gutter installer right where to attach 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 the lower end.
Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center 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 can be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When it 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.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, 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 blocked water inside 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 destroy surrounding 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
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.
You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, 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 home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This might 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 Express Evansville Gutters do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having 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 may notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that is unable to make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can result in several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Evansville
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Express Evansville Gutters encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Express Evansville 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 proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Evansville
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Express Evansville Gutters may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.