What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but 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 place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. 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 ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few 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 noticeably 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 the ground, 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 inside of your gutters is an issue. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from CIN Gutter Services do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you might notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a small amount 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 water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 there are still signs of overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly 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 Cincinnati

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route CIN Gutter Services encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, CIN Gutter Services will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Cincinnati

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, CIN Gutter Services may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will 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 make sure the new installation was done the right way.