What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that even heavier 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 sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be costly and complex to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to 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 leak inside your home.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that 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
Rain 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 flow of the water.
This may force 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 Virginia Beach Gutter Solutions check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules remaining 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 inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from 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 sometimes 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 probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know 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 is incorrect, it can result in several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Virginia Beach
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Virginia Beach Gutter Solutions recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Virginia Beach Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Virginia Beach
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Virginia Beach Gutter Solutions may recommend to replace them instead of 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 will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.