What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters have a specific 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 even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will 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 incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and difficult to fix.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from 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 areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As 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 is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should 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 their feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require 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 Nifty Newton Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To remove the possibility of a 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 one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

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

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Newton

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Nifty Newton Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Nifty Newton 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 determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Newton

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Nifty Newton Gutters may recommend that you 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 with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done correctly.