What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies 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 gutter
This formula tells your gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed 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 house, require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts need to 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 at all, it can create problems that might be expensive 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 issue around the house, as it can lead to all of the issues below:
- Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath 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. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people sick.
- The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few 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 visibly tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.
You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.
Check for Standing Water
Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of 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 local handyman or a gutter specialist from Better Bellevue Gutters check it out for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see 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 way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.
To stop the possibility of 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 gets incorrect, it can create several problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Bellevue
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Better Bellevue Gutters encourages.
To re-establish gutter pitch, Better Bellevue Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Bellevue
If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Better Bellevue Gutters may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time 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 will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done correctly.