What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 formula tells your gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be costly and complex to repair.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common issue around the house, as it can result in all of the following issues:

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath 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 of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people sick.
• The weight of standing water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned 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 an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should 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

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Peoria Gutters, Inc. do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up and take a look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To eliminate the possibility of 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 indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can result in several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Peoria

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Peoria Gutters, Inc. recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Peoria Gutters, Inc. 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 determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Peoria

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Peoria Gutters, Inc. may recommend to 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 with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips above to make sure the new installation is done the right way.