What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters 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 your gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed 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 home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can lead to all of the issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging 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 standing water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin 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 notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.
You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with both feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.
This may require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Cleveland Heights Gutter Cleaning do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first couple of 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 small amount in these areas, chances are 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 due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.
To stop 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Cleveland Heights
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Cleveland Heights Gutter Cleaning encourages.
To restore gutter pitch, Cleveland Heights Gutter Cleaning 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 determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Cleveland Heights
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Cleveland Heights Gutter Cleaning 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 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 use the tips above to ensure the new installation was done correctly.