What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should have a specific 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 heavy amounts of rain 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 areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the 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 middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that can be costly and complex to repair.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can lead to all of the issues below:

• Water in 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 get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially if it grows 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 standing water in your gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

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 point is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

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

Check for Standing Water

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may require 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 Rochester Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these 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 couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you may notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of 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 sometimes 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 nearby 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 is still overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Rochester

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Rochester Gutter Service encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Rochester Gutter Service 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, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Rochester

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Rochester Gutter Service may recommend that you 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 appropriate pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.