What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 horizontal gutter

This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on both sides. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means 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 create problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can lead to all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially when it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.

You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could 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 Blaine Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is 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 look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby 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 your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is off.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Blaine

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Blaine Gutters encourages.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Blaine 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Blaine

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Blaine Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need 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 our tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.