What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros 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 horizontal gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

Longer areas 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 be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:

• Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to 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 leak inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) 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 tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To make sure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or 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 homeowners can do on their own, with their feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is a problem. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Gaithersburg Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the 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 notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can 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 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 many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

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

Gutter Repair in Gaithersburg

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Gaithersburg Gutters recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Gaithersburg Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Gaithersburg

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Gaithersburg Gutters 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, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.