What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros 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 gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation 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 areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that can be costly and difficult to repair.

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

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should still 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 in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could force 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 Better Bowling Green Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and take a look, or you might see 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To remove the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but you are still seeing 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 result in a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

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

Gutter Repair in Bowling Green

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Better Bowling Green Gutters recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Better Bowling Green Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Bowling Green

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Better Bowling Green Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.