What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros 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 calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are 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 situation, 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 need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and difficult to repair.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to 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 get inside your house.
- Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining 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 lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their 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 in your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, 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 Classic Concord Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles 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 through the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of 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 damage to 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 there are still signs of overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Concord
The most affordable 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 Classic Concord Gutters encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Classic Concord Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Concord
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Classic Concord 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 include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.