What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out of them 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 have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This calculation tells your gutter installer where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle 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 incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be costly and complex to fix.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can cause all of the following issues:

• Rain in the gutters can lead to 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 home.
• Pooling 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 when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water inside your gutters can lead them to tear 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 be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, 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 follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. Try to examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might force 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 Prime Pasco Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a little in these areas, chances are 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 water is flowing 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 blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can create a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Pasco

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Prime Pasco Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Prime Pasco Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Pasco

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Prime Pasco Gutters may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time 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 reference the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.