What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly 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 formula tells your gutter installer where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow unobstructed 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 home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain 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 lead to problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical problem around the home, as it can result in all of the issues below:

• 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 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 difficult task, especially when it grows 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 pooling water inside your gutters can cause 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 destroy 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 mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should be able to see 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 follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This might require you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Muskegon Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small 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 heavier materials away. Seeing 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 granules in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount 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 the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To prevent 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 sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets incorrect, 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.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly 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 Muskegon

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route Muskegon Gutters recommends.

To restore gutter pitch, Muskegon Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Muskegon

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Muskegon 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 include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done the right way.