What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

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

This formula tells your gutter installation technician where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your 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, require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections 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 sick.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your roof. The gutters can tear out 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 properly 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 rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

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

This may force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Chapel Hill Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose a lot of excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might notice some of these particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To eliminate the possibility of 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 there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Chapel Hill

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Chapel Hill Gutters encourages.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Chapel Hill Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Chapel Hill

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Chapel Hill 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, 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 ensure the new installation was done the right way.