What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies 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 horizontal gutter

This calculation tells your gutter installation technician right where to fasten the downspout so that heavy amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be lower.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. 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 absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.

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

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on 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 ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of standing water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding 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 before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or 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 you can do on your own, with their feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require 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 AllClean Alpharetta Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, 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 excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you notice 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To prevent 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 one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.

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

Gutter Repair in Alpharetta

The first 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 AllClean Alpharetta Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, AllClean Alpharetta Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Alpharetta

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, AllClean Alpharetta Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.