What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 formula tells your gutter installer where to fasten the downspout so that even heavy 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 sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be expensive and difficult to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak 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 destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy 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 do:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.
You should be able to see 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 inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from First-Rate Fayetteville Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more 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 take a look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance 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 due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To eliminate the possibility of 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 there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Fayetteville
The first 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 First-Rate Fayetteville Gutters encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, First-Rate Fayetteville 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 pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Fayetteville
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, First-Rate Fayetteville Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done correctly.