What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This formula tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that heavier 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.
Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be costly and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain 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 water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. 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 do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see 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 it is getting old.
You should still be able to notice 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
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Wilkes-Barre Gutter Solutions check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your roof 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 in your gutters is common after having 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 take a look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing 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 the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can result in many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Wilkes-Barre
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Wilkes-Barre Gutter Solutions encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Wilkes-Barre Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Wilkes-Barre
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Wilkes-Barre Gutter Solutions may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.