What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros 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 gutter
This calculation tells a gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the 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 cause problems that can be expensive and difficult to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain in 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 harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly 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 notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that 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 their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could 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 Rochester Gutters, Inc. do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of 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 damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To prevent 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 another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can create several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Rochester
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Rochester Gutters, Inc. encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Rochester Gutters, Inc. will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Rochester
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Rochester Gutters, Inc. may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can 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 will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use our tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.