What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know 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 a gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will 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 your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that can be costly 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 problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying 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 properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is an indication 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 you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may 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 Superior Gutter Cleaning do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough slope, 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 lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may see 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 is unable to make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to 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 surrounding landscaping.
To remove the possibility of 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 sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Pittsfield
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Superior Gutter Cleaning recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Superior Gutter Cleaning will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Pittsfield
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Superior Gutter Cleaning may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation was done correctly.