What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies 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 precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be costly and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:
- Rain 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 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 challenging project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, 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 correctly 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 see 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 homeowners can do on their own, with their 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. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This may 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 Warwick Gutter Cleaning do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from 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 rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can 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 indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly 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 Warwick
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Warwick Gutter Cleaning recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Warwick Gutter Cleaning will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This lowers 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 Warwick
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Warwick Gutter Cleaning may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.