What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them rather than remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros 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 gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installer right where to attach the downspout so that even heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on each side. When this is happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be expensive and difficult to fix.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, 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:

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When water backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Pooling rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and even making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. 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 be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

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

You should 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 both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might 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 AllClean Asheville Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, chances are 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause 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 there is still overflow, it’s another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause many problems for your house. All of the problems 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 incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Asheville

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route AllClean Asheville Gutters encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, AllClean Asheville 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 calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Asheville

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, AllClean Asheville 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 need to be replaced with new ones, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can use our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.