What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to fasten the downspout so that heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may 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 downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can create problems that can be expensive and difficult to fix.

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

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water in your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage 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

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting old.

You should still 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 inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining 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 Buffalo Grove Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up and look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are 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 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 surrounding landscaping.

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

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can cause many 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 or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Buffalo Grove

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Buffalo Grove Gutters recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Buffalo Grove Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Buffalo Grove

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Buffalo Grove 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 have to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips above to make sure the new installation is done correctly.