What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should 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 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 lower.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle 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 your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that can be expensive and difficult to fix.

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

• Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of 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. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with their 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. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could 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 All Pro Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To prevent the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can create many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Leominster

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route All Pro Gutters recommends.

To correct gutter pitch, All Pro Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Leominster

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, All Pro Gutters 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 with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.