What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros 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 gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that can be costly and difficult to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of 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 house.
- Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.
You should still be able to notice 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
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This might force 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 Livonia Gutters, Inc. check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may notice 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, chances are there is more that can’t 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 the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and nearby 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 another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can create several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Livonia
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Livonia Gutters, Inc. recommends.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Livonia Gutters, Inc. will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely 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 Livonia
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Livonia Gutters, Inc. 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 should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done correctly.