What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out of them 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 a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

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

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to 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 areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull 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 make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should still 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 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 a problem. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from TruClean Toledo Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having 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 the particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To stop the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

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 prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Toledo

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

To correct gutter pitch, TruClean Toledo Gutters 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Toledo

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, TruClean Toledo Gutters may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.