What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know 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 gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installation technician right where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on both sides. 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 have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be expensive 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 problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that 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 naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Columbia Gutters, Inc. check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny 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 in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you might see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice 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, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To stop the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can create a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in CITY

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Columbia Gutters, Inc. encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Columbia Gutters, Inc. will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in CITY

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Columbia Gutters, Inc. may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time 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 correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done correctly.