What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This formula tells a gutter installer 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 is the side that should be lower.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, 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 highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can create problems that can be expensive and complex to repair.

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

• Rain in 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 harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard task, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should be able to notice 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

Rain 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 right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Germantown Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your 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 more common after getting 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 might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount 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, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can 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 there are still signs of overflow, it’s another sign 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 issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Germantown

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Germantown Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Germantown Gutters 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 pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Germantown

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Germantown Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done the right way.