What is Gutter Pitch?
All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.
Gutters should 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 right where to attach the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.
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 issues below:
- Water in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from 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 mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
- The weight of blocked water in your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin 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 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 noticeably tell where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should be able to notice 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
Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This might require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Eagan Gutter Experts check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is 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 look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will 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 the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.
Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Eagan
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Eagan Gutter Experts recommends.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Eagan Gutter Experts 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Eagan
If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Eagan Gutter Experts may recommend to 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 our tips above to make sure the new installation is done the right way.