What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This calculation tells your gutter installation technician right where to fasten the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly 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 house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water 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.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin 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

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting old.

You should still 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

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

This could require 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 Hoover Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters by way of 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 direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To remove 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if 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 Hoover

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Hoover Gutter Service encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Hoover Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This saves 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 Hoover

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Hoover Gutter Service may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need 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 reference our tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.