What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out instead of sitting stagnant. They 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 horizontal gutter

This formula tells a gutter installer right where to place the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly 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 each side. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be costly 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 in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain 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.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should still be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s 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 aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from All Things Gutter check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having 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 notice some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To eliminate 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 you are still seeing overflow, it’s one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can cause several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is off.

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

Gutter Repair in Hoboken

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route All Things Gutter recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, All Things Gutter 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 calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Hoboken

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, All Things Gutter may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time 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 correct pitch. You can use the tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.