What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know 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 gutter
This formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the 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 at all, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this 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 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 inside of 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 may require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Norfolk Gutters Plus check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of 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 from the downspouts. If you notice 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there are still signs of 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 home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Norfolk
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Norfolk Gutters Plus recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Norfolk Gutters Plus will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have 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, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Norfolk
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Norfolk Gutters Plus may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference our tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.