What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know 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 horizontal gutter

This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to fasten the downspout so that 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.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute 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 at all, it can create problems that can be expensive and difficult to repair.

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

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water in your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should 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 both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force 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 Richmond Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and take a look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a little 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby 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 one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether 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 major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Richmond

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Richmond Gutter Service recommends.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Richmond 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 determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Richmond

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Richmond Gutter Service 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 need to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.