What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should 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 heavier 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 each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.

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

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of 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 home.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting old.

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

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This might require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from The Concord Gutter Company check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing 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 and look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To stop 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 one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Concord

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route The Concord Gutter Company encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, The Concord Gutter Company will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Concord

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, The Concord Gutter Company may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips above to make sure the new installation is done the right way.