What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, 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 of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Rain inside of 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 harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
- The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that 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 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 home’s 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 handyman or a gutter specialist from Gresham Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice a little in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that is unable to 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, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Gresham
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 Gresham Gutter Service recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Gresham Gutter Service 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Gresham
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Gresham Gutter Service may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation was done correctly.