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 companies know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters should 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 right where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should 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 cause problems that might be costly and complex to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of 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 leak inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of pooling water in your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. 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 some of the things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to see 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 worn out.
You should still be able to notice 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 gutters is an issue. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might require 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 Greece Gutters & More! do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess granules in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t 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 water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Greece
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Greece Gutters & More! recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Greece Gutters & More! 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Greece
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Greece Gutters & More! may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time 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 reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.