What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water flows out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but we assure you 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 heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed 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 happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the 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 might be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of standing water in your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned before, 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 a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should be able to see 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 follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This could require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Select Gutter Service do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a little 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 in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To stop 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in New Brunswick
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Select Gutter Service recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Select Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in New Brunswick
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Select Gutter Service may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.