What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This formula tells a gutter installer right where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly 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 house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, 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 center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be costly and complex to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- 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 leak inside your house.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas 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 house) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. 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 few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.
You should be able to notice 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 a problem. If possible, check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Suffolk Gutter Service do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To prevent the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Suffolk
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Suffolk Gutter Service recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Suffolk Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Suffolk
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Suffolk Gutter Service may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have 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 the right way.