What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installation technician right where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and complex to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still 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 their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is an issue. If possible, check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may require 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 Vacaville Gutters, Inc. check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and look, or you may notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that can’t make its way out.
Why is There Overflow?
Gutter overflow is usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To eliminate the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If 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 gets incorrect, it can create a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Vacaville
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Vacaville Gutters, Inc. encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Vacaville Gutters, Inc. will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Vacaville
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Vacaville Gutters, Inc. may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.