What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you 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 fasten the downspout so that heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.

Longer sections 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 be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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 lead to all of the issues below:

• Water in the gutters can cause 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 get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of 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 home) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin 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 said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.

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

Check for Standing Water

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

This could 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 Southfield Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up and take a look, or you may notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are 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 rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for 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 the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can create many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.

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

Gutter Repair in Southfield

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Southfield Gutters encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, Southfield Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Southfield

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Southfield Gutters may recommend that you 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 include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done correctly.