What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter
This calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should 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, it can cause problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure 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, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that 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 you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Somerville Gutter Solutions do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from 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 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 remove the possibility of 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 sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Somerville
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Somerville Gutter Solutions encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Somerville Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This saves 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 Somerville
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Somerville Gutter Solutions 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 will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.