What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. They 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 formula tells a gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

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

Check for Standing Water

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could 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 EZ Gutters, Inc. do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing 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 few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance 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 water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To prevent the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

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

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Hempstead

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route EZ Gutters, Inc. encourages.

To re-establish gutter pitch, EZ Gutters, Inc. will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves 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 Hempstead

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, EZ Gutters, Inc. may recommend that you replace them instead of 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 will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation is done correctly.