What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This formula tells a gutter installation technician where to place 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 the lower end.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of 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.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water in your gutters can lead 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 ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

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, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

You should still 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 both 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. If possible, examine the gutters right 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 local handyman or a gutter specialist from PRO Canton Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is 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 and look, or you may notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice a little in these areas, chances are 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Canton

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route PRO Canton Gutters recommends.

To re-establish gutter pitch, PRO Canton Gutterswill 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 determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Canton

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, PRO Canton Gutters may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.