What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies 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 installer right where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation 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, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should 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 repair.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.
You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is an issue. If possible, examine 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 handyman or a gutter specialist from Dearborn Gutter Solutions check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice a little 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably 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 you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged 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 Dearborn
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Dearborn Gutter Solutions encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Dearborn Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Dearborn
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Dearborn Gutter Solutions may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.