What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly 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 gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

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

You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, 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 in your gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This may require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Plymouth Gutters Plus do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small 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 away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

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

Gutter Repair in Plymouth

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Plymouth Gutters Plus recommends.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Plymouth Gutters Plus 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 determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Plymouth

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Plymouth Gutters Plus may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can 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 should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done the right way.