What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain 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 are loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Water inside of 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 harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.
You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This could force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Good Clean Gutters 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 slope, 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 lose a lot of excess granules 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 small amount in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To eliminate 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 distorted, it can create several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether 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 prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Kentwood
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Good Clean Gutters recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Good Clean Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Kentwood
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Good Clean Gutters 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 need to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.