What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than sitting 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 gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.

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

• Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on 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 home) and making people sick.
• The weight of standing water in your gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

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

You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, 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 in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to examine 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 don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Duluth Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To eliminate 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 sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can create many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Duluth

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Duluth Gutter Service encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Duluth Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Duluth

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Duluth Gutter Service may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

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