What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer where to place 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 the lower end.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, 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 of the downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be costly and complex to fix.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, 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 water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Decatur Gutter Service check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your 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 inside of your gutters is 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 a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for 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 another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Decatur

If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Decatur

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Decatur Gutter Service recommends.

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

Gutter Installation in CITY

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Decatur Gutter Service may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.