What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but 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 where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain 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.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means 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 create problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water 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.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
• The weight of standing water in your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out 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 be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should still 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 both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from The Fairfield Gutter Company check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice 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 due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To prevent 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 indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Fairfield

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route The Fairfield Gutter Company encourages.

To re-establish gutter pitch, The Fairfield Gutter Company will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Fairfield

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, The Fairfield Gutter Company may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done correctly.