What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This formula tells a gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed 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, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to 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 your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become 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 make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When water 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 rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of standing water in your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still 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 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 gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right 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 handyman or a gutter specialist from Sayreville Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To eliminate 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 indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Sayreville
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Sayreville Gutter Service encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Sayreville Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Sayreville
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Sayreville Gutter Service may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run 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 proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.