What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells a gutter installer where to fasten 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 happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage 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. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.
You should be able to see 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
Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could 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 Beverly Gutter Cleaning check it out 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 pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and look, or you may notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice 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 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 damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To prevent 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 indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Beverly
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Beverly Gutter Cleaning encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Beverly Gutter Cleaning will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Beverly
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Beverly Gutter Cleaning 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, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.