What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters should have an angled slope based on this formula:

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

This calculation tells your gutter installer right where to fasten the downspout so that even heavier amounts of precipitation can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed the wrong way or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.

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

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water in your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your house. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or that 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

Rain water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Novi Gutter Cleaning check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you might notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing the wrong way, called “back pitch,” you will probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To remove 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 one more indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create several problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent expensive home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Novi

The most affordable option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Novi Gutter Cleaning recommends.

To correct gutter pitch, Novi Gutter Cleaning 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Novi

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Novi Gutter Cleaning may recommend to replace them instead of 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 should set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.