What is Gutter Pitch?
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Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but they are.
Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:
¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter
This calculation tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, 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 of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be expensive and complex to repair.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can lead to all of the issues below:
- Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water in your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy 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 do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that 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 follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could require 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 Dublin Gutter Service check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are 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 the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To remove the possibility of 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 sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Dublin
The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Dublin Gutter Service recommends.
To correct gutter pitch, Dublin Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Dublin
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Dublin Gutter Service 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 proper pitch. You can use our tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.