What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 calculation tells your gutter installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the 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, it can cause problems that can be costly and complex to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the home, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Pooling water is one way mildew and mold 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 destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.
You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, 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 naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. Try to check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining 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 Vancouver Gutter Solutions check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed 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 through 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from 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 the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can create several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.
Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Vancouver
The first 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 Vancouver Gutter Solutions recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Vancouver Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely 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 Vancouver
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Vancouver Gutter Solutions may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can 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 use our tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.