What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than remaining 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 a gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.
Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be expensive and complex to repair.
When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:
- Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
- Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people sick.
- The weight of pooling water inside your gutters can cause them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should be able to see 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
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, check 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 WeClean Wichita Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters through 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To eliminate 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 sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Wichita
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route WeClean Wichita Gutters encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, WeClean Wichita Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Wichita
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, WeClean Wichita 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, 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 make sure the new installation is done correctly.