What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear 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 horizontal gutter
This formula tells a gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed 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, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will 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 incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can create problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water in your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still 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
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. Try to check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This may require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Mishawaka Gutters & More! do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a little 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To stop the possibility of a 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 indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can lead to many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Mishawaka
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Mishawaka Gutters & More! recommends.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Mishawaka Gutters & More! 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 determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Mishawaka
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Mishawaka Gutters & More! may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done correctly.