What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. They 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 horizontal gutter
This formula tells your gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears 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 standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.
You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, 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 in your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Rock Hill Gutter Service do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small 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 heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can lead to several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Rock Hill
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Rock Hill Gutter Service encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Rock Hill Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Rock Hill
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Rock Hill Gutter Service may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run 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 use our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.