What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than remaining 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 gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are 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 case, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can cause problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.

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

• Water in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard 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 feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water in your gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. 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

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 point is, it is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, 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 naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters immediately 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 local handyman or a gutter specialist from Better Beaver Creek Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after getting 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 flowing 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 is unable to make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can 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 the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can cause many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Beaver Creek

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Better Beaver Creek Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Better Beaver Creek Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Beaver Creek

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

If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.