What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should have a specific 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 fasten the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be expensive and complex to repair.

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

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to 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 leak inside your home.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water inside your gutters can cause them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin 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 spot is, this 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 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 home’s gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Malden Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To eliminate 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 there is still overflow, it’s another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can create a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Malden

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Malden Gutter Service encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Malden Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Malden

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Malden Gutter Service may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.

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