What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know 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 horizontal gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can lead to all of the following issues:

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain 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.
• Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding 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 notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting old.

You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

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

This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Durham Gutter Defense check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the 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 a lot of excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up and look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, 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 Durham

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Durham Gutter Defense recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Durham Gutter Defense will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Durham

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Durham Gutter Defense may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.