What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look 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 calculation tells a gutter installer right where to fasten the downspout so that even 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.

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

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

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull 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

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should still 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

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could require 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 NE Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a little 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 due to 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 cause 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 the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Holyoke

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

To re-establish gutter pitch, NE Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Holyoke

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, NE Gutters may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced, 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 above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.