What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but 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 a gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that even heavy 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.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and difficult to repair.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to 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 home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage 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 said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this 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

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could force 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 Haverhill Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you may see 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 is unable to make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To remove the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but you are still seeing 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 a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly 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 Haverhill

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

To correct gutter pitch, Haverhill Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 Haverhill

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Haverhill Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.