What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to place the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation 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 sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be costly and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common 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 water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly 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 see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is 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 both 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 a problem. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may 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 Fairfield Gutter Specialists do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and 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 you are still seeing overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can create many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Fairfield
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Fairfield Gutter Specialists encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Fairfield Gutter Specialists will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers 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 Fairfield
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Fairfield Gutter Specialists may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can 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 should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.