What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to place the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging 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 rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or 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 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 gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force 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 TLC Gutters Inc. check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice a little in these areas, there is a good chance there is more that is unable to 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 rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.

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

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Lakewood

The first 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 TLC Gutters Inc. encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, TLC Gutters Inc. will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves 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 specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Lakewood

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, TLC Gutters Inc. may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.