What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to place the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and complex to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause 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 damage landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably 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 still 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 their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow 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 Lakewood Gutter Cleaning do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, chances are 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 see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To stop the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Lakewood
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Lakewood Gutter Cleaning recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Lakewood Gutter Cleaning will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Lakewood
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Lakewood Gutter Cleaning may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.