What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are 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 both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that can be expensive and difficult to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water in your gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
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 still be able to notice 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 gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This might require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Olympia Gutters & More! check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and look, or you might 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 can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To remove the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly 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 Olympia
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Olympia Gutters & More! encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Olympia Gutters & More! 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, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Olympia
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Olympia Gutters & More! may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can 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 proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done the right way.