What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but 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 a gutter installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to 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 expensive and complex to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, 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:
- Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to 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 get inside your house.
- Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even 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 materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are correctly 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 rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot 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
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. If possible, check the gutters right 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 Berwyn Gutter Cleaning do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few 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 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause 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 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 incorrect, it can result in many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Berwyn
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Berwyn Gutter Cleaning encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Berwyn Gutter Cleaning 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Berwyn
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Berwyn Gutter Cleaning 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, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.