What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 horizontal gutter
This formula tells your gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Longer 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 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 middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter has been 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
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Rochester Hills Gutters do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first few 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To stop the possibility of a 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 sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly 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 Rochester Hills
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Rochester Hills Gutters encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Rochester Hills 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Rochester Hills
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Rochester Hills Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with 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 ensure the new installation was done the right way.