What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installer where to fasten 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 located is the side that should be lower.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be costly and complex to fix.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can lead to all of the following issues:

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

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, 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. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might force 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 Schaumburg Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t 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, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To prevent 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 your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can create many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Schaumburg

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Schaumburg Gutter Service recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Schaumburg Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Schaumburg

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Schaumburg Gutter Service 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 come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.