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 should 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 installation technician where to place the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people sick.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage 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
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining 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 local handyman or a gutter specialist from Clean Home Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may notice some of the 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To stop the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Minnetonka
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Clean Home Gutters encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Clean Home Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Minnetonka
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Clean Home Gutters may recommend that you 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, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference our tips above to make sure the new installation is done the right way.