What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This calculation tells your gutter installer where to place the downspout so that even 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 the lower end.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in 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 mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water in your gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, 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 properly 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 gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting old.

You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from A+ Gutters of Kettering do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “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 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 gets distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Kettering

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route A+ Gutters of Kettering encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, A+ Gutters of Kettering will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Kettering

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, A+ Gutters of Kettering may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done correctly.