What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water drains out rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

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

This calculation tells a gutter installation technician 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 located is the side that should be the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to 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 might be expensive and difficult to fix.

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

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of 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 get inside your home.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should still be able to notice 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 naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from Champaign Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials out. Seeing grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose 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 notice a little in these areas, chances are there is more that is unable to make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is sometimes 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 probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To prevent 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 indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create many problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed poorly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid significant home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Champaign

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

To restore gutter pitch, Champaign Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This saves 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 specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Champaign

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Champaign 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 come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use our tips above to ensure the new installation was done the right way.