What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know 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 gutter
This formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your 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 happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.
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 issues below:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it grows 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 blocked water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage 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 mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting old.
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 both feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This might require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Roseville Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through 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 due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove 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 is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can create a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Roseville
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Roseville Gutter Service encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Roseville Gutter Service 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 determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Roseville
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Roseville Gutter Service may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done correctly.