What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but 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 a gutter installation technician right where to fasten 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 lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. 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 middle 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 might be costly and complex to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can result in all of the following issues:
- Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas 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 exist in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this 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
Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Kokomo Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can 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 another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can lead to several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.
Regardless of whether 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 Kokomo
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Kokomo Gutter Service recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Kokomo 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 calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Kokomo
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Kokomo Gutter Service 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 need to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.