What is Gutter Pitch?
Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out of them rather than sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but 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 installer right where to fasten the downspout so that heavy 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.
Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. 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 absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.
Gutter Pitch Problems
If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be costly and complex to fix.
When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:
- Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
- Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people sick.
- The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.
Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?
To make sure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:
Look for Hanging Spots
Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or 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 in your gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.
This may require 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 The Colorado Springs Gutter Company do it for you.
Inspect for Shingle Particles
Any small granules left behind 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 out. Seeing 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 granules in the first few years.
You can climb up and take a look, or you might see some of the 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.
To remove the possibility of a 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 another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.
Professional Gutter Damage Repair
If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can cause a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.
No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.
Gutter Repair in Colorado Springs
The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route The Colorado Springs Gutter Company encourages.
To correct gutter pitch, The Colorado Springs Gutter Company 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.
Gutter Installation in Colorado Springs
If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, The Colorado Springs Gutter Company may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.
If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include 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 the right way.