What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear 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 gutter

This formula tells a gutter installation technician right where to place the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that can 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 common problem around the home, as it can cause all of the issues below:

• Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. 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 few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should still be able to see 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

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require 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 Sandy Springs Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way 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 can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To stop the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Sandy Springs

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

To re-establish gutter pitch, Sandy Springs 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 pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Sandy Springs

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Sandy Springs Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.