What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so that water flows 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 horizontal gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and complex 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 lead to all of the issues below:

• Rain in the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a challenging project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which are common in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of blocked water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage 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 do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to notice 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 inside of your gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This might force you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from NE Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and look, or you may see some of these particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a little 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 usually caused by a blockage, but it can also be because of 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 problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding 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 sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged 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 Methuen

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

To restore gutter pitch, NE Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way 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 specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Methuen

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, NE Gutters may recommend that you 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 include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use the tips above to make sure the new installation is done the right way.