What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you 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 a gutter installation technician 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 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 happening, the rain gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

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

• Water in the gutters can cause 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 leak 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 very hard project, especially when 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 standing water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that you can do on your 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. Try to examine 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 aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Tuscaloosa Gutter Service do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and take a look, or you may notice some of the particles making their way out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, there is a good chance 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 due to 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 cause damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To prevent the possibility of a 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 there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets incorrect, it can lead to a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if your rain gutters were damaged or if they were installed incorrectly to begin with, they need to be re-pitched if you want to prevent major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Tuscaloosa

The first 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 Tuscaloosa Gutter Service encourages.

To restore gutter pitch, Tuscaloosa Gutter Service will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it all the way down. This lowers 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 correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Tuscaloosa

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Tuscaloosa Gutter Service may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will come compete with new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can reference the tips above to make sure the new installation is done correctly.