What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

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

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

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning 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 incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.

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

• Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining 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 home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. 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 some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, 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 a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should still 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

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Hometown Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice 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 in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can 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 indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Hackensack

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Hometown Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Hometown Gutters 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Hackensack

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Hometown Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.