What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This formula tells a gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that even heavy 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 areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, 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 absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to repair.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:

• Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain 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.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, 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 pooling water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure 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 tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both 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 a problem. If possible, examine 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 handyman or a gutter specialist from Wilson Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and 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 there are still signs of overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Wilson

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Wilson Gutter Service encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Wilson Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Wilson

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Wilson Gutter Service may recommend that you 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, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips above to ensure the new installation was done correctly.