What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know 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 calculation tells a gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located 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 happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:
- Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath 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 of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear 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 be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify 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 below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could 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 East Lansing Gutter Experts do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To stop the possibility of 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 another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in East Lansing
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route East Lansing Gutter Experts encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, East Lansing Gutter Experts 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 calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in East Lansing
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, East Lansing Gutter Experts 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 should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.