What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you 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 right 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 the lower end.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice 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 it is getting worn out.

You should still 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 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 examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

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

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters by way of 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 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 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 the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Raleigh

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route PRO Raleigh Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, PRO Raleigh Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Raleigh

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, PRO Raleigh Gutters may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

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