What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros 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 where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your 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 both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be costly and complex to repair.

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

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying 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 correctly 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 tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

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

This may force 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 Revere Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To eliminate 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 another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

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

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Revere

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 Revere Gutters recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Revere Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Revere

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Revere Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of 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 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 make sure the new installation is done correctly.