What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They 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 installer right where to fasten the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, 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 need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and difficult to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of pooling water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should 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 their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Greensboro Gutter Specialists check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a small amount 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Greensboro
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Greensboro Gutter Specialists recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Greensboro Gutter Specialists will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Greensboro
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Greensboro Gutter Specialists may recommend that you replace them rather than 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 come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done correctly.