What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly 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 formula tells a gutter installer right where to fasten the downspout so that even 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 home, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to 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 gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging 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 pooling water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding 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 do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.

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 both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from ABC Gutter Solutions do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough slope, 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 granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and 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 incorrect, it can cause several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

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 in order to prevent major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Mount Vernon

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route ABC Gutter Solutions encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, ABC Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Mount Vernon

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, ABC Gutter Solutions may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.