What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out instead of 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 horizontal gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavier 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 lower.

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

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When it 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 rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can lead them to pull away from your house. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also destroy surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are correctly 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 visibly identify where the low spot is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, 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 naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters right 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 Philadelphia Gutter Solutions do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters might not have enough pitch, 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 might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice 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 rain water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To stop the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can lead to several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Philadelphia

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route Philadelphia Gutter Solutions recommends.

To re-establish gutter pitch, Philadelphia Gutter Solutions will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need 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 Philadelphia

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Philadelphia Gutter Solutions 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 proper pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation is done correctly.