What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters have a specific 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 place 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 located is the side that should be the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, 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 gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult to fix.

When your gutter pitch is wrong, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:

• Rain 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 harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of 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 house) and making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your rain gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also damage surrounding 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 check:

Look for Hanging Spots

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

You should still 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 both 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, inspect the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining 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 handyman or a gutter specialist from Modesto Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the rain gutters might not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to shed a lot of excess particles in the first few years.

You can climb up and look, or you might see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If rain water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To stop the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know 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 incorrect, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Modesto

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route Modesto Gutter Service encourages.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Modesto Gutter Service 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, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Modesto

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Modesto Gutter Service may recommend to 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, 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 above to make sure the new installation is done correctly.