What is Gutter Pitch?
Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 horizontal gutter
This calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the home, 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 get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears 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 rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.
You should still be able to notice 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
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow 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 local handyman or a gutter specialist from Mount Pleasant Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means 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 excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up and look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of 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 direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To prevent 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 is still overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can result in a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Mount Pleasant
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Mount Pleasant Gutters recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Mount Pleasant Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 Mount Pleasant
If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Mount Pleasant Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.