What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This formula 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 home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will need to 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 the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to fix.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold 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 ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like 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, 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 below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your 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 gutters is an issue. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Maple Grove Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a little 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 way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Maple Grove

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Maple Grove Gutters recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Maple Grove 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Maple Grove

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Maple Grove Gutters 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, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation is done correctly.