What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are set at a slight angle so that water drains out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but 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 your gutter installer right where to fasten 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 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 gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If your gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can cause problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.

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

• Rain in 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.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard project, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your house) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water in your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter has been 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 you can do on your own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

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

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your 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 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 and look, or you might notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a little in these areas, chances are there is more that is unable to make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is usually 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 probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can cause damage to your roof, gutters and nearby 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in a lot of problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Chattanooga

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

To restore gutter pitch, Chattanooga Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Chattanooga

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, Chattanooga Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters need to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference our tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done correctly.