What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know 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 attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. 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 need to be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.
When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical 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 it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
- Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it appears 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 house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.
You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This could force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Renew Redmond Gutters do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough slope, 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 shed a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.
You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of the 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If 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 you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly 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 Redmond
The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Renew Redmond Gutters recommends.
To restore gutter pitch, Renew Redmond Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves 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 correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Redmond
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Renew Redmond Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done the right way.