What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out instead of sitting 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 gutter

This formula tells a gutter installation technician where to place 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 lower.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle 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 incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of 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.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
• The weight of standing water in your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. 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 few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should 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 both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from ASAP Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up and look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To remove the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If 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

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

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

Gutter Repair in Strongsville

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

To restore gutter pitch, ASAP Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers 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 Strongsville

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

If your gutters need to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation is done correctly.