What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are fastened 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 they are.
Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain 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 gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and difficult to repair.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin 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 said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.
You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both 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 a problem. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may force 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 Long Island Gutter Solutions 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 rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first few 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 small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t 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 damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Long Island
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 Long Island Gutter Solutions encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Long Island Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Long Island
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Long Island Gutter Solutions may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run 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.