What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly 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 installation technician where to fasten the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult 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 typical issue 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 water backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas 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 are common in your house) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. 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 do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or 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 both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

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 flow of the water.

This may require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Medford Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can lead to a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Medford

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route Medford Gutters encourages.

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

Gutter Installation in Medford

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Medford Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will 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 correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.