What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies 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 formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavier 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 the lower end.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy 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 said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with their 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 an issue. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Redwood City Gutters & More! check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up and look, or you might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through 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 typically 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 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 there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged 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 Redwood City
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 Redwood City Gutters & More! encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Redwood City Gutters & More! 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 calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Redwood City
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Redwood City Gutters & More! may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference our tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.