What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that 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 lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, 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 your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be expensive and difficult to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common 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 rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew 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 ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that 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 homeowners can do on their own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This could require 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 Elyria Gutter Experts check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in 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 and look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a little 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if 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 prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Elyria
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Elyria Gutter Experts recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Elyria Gutter Experts will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Elyria
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Elyria Gutter Experts may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.