What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

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

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, 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 of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their 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 home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force 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 White Plains Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and look, or you might notice some of these particles flowing 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 can’t 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 the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To remove the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there is still overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

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

No matter if your gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in White Plains

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route White Plains Gutters encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, White Plains Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This saves 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 White Plains

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, White Plains Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.