What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installer where to fasten the downspout so that heavy 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 sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard project, especially when it appears 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 blocked water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To make sure 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 see the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

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

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from AllClean Albany Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and take a look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To stop the possibility of a 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 another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Albany

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route AllClean Albany Gutters recommends.

To correct gutter pitch, AllClean Albany Gutters 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 determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Albany

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, AllClean Albany Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.