What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know 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 installation technician right where to place 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 located is the side that should be the lower end.
Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be costly and difficult 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 home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially if 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 blocked water in your gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding 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
As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, this is an indication 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 inside of your home’s 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 aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Salem Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To eliminate the possibility of a 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 sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can create many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Salem
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Salem Gutter Service recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Salem Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Salem
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Salem Gutter Service may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include 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 ensure the new installation was done the right way.