What is Gutter Pitch?

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

Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:

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

This formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, 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 should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, 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 rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy 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 mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should be able to notice 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

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, 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 handyman or a gutter specialist from Noblesville Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, 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 lose a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that is unable to 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, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to 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 you are still seeing overflow, it’s another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can create many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

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

Gutter Repair in Noblesville

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Noblesville Gutters recommends.

To correct gutter pitch, Noblesville Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way 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 Noblesville

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Noblesville Gutters may recommend that you 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 include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done correctly.