What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them instead of remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly 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 right where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your 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 both sides. When this is happening, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute 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 have become loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that can be expensive and complex to repair.

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

• Water in the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead them to tear away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your 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 an issue. Try to check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This could require 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 Highlands Ranch Gutters do it 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 away. Seeing grit or sludge inside of 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 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can 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 there are still signs of overflow, it’s one more sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can create several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is wrong.

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

Gutter Repair in Highlands Ranch

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route Highlands Ranch Gutters recommends.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Highlands Ranch 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 pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Highlands Ranch

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Highlands Ranch 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 correct pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.