What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain 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 incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.

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

• Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections 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 home) and even making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage 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 check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should still be able to see 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 in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could 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 Quick Clean Gutters 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 might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. 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 few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of 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 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 nearby landscaping.

To eliminate 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 you are still seeing overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Mansfield

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Quick Clean Gutters encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, Quick Clean Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Mansfield

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Quick Clean 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 have 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 is done correctly.