What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation companies 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 calculation tells your gutter installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.
Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be expensive and complex to fix.
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:
- Rain inside of the gutters can cause 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 get inside your home.
- Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
- The weight of standing water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:
Look for Hanging Spots
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.
You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their 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 gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may force 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 Jacksonville Gutter Service do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess particles in the first few years.
You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing 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 can’t 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 see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to 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 you know the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.
No matter if your gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Jacksonville
The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Jacksonville Gutter Service encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, Jacksonville Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.
Gutter Installation in Jacksonville
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Jacksonville Gutter Service may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.
If your gutters need to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.