What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This formula tells your gutter installer 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 lower.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can lead to all of the issues below:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard 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 in your gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin 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
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that 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 inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Wilmington Gutter Solutions check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a little in these areas, chances are 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 due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To stop the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Wilmington
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Wilmington Gutter Solutions recommends.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Wilmington Gutter Solutions 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 calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Wilmington
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Wilmington 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 should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.