What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This formula tells a gutter installation technician right where to fasten 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 the lower end.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center 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 lead to problems that might be expensive and complex to fix.

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

• Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water in your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying 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 properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should 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 in your gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This may force 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 Better Bloomington Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is common after getting 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 a ladder and take a 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 usually 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 see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can create many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Bloomington

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Better Bloomington Gutters recommends.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Better Bloomington Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Bloomington

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Better Bloomington Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run 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 proper pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.