What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out of them rather than remaining stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies 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 gutter

This calculation tells a gutter installation technician right where to place the downspout so that even 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.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on each side. When this is the situation, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the center of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both of the downspouts should be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

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

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can cause water to back up in your gutter channels. Water is a typical issue around the house, 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 backs up in the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a difficult task, especially if it appears on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people sick.
• The weight of standing water inside your gutters can cause them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, damaging 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 correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably identify where the low spot is, it is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting worn out.

You should be able to see 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 in your gutters is an issue. Try to examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a local handyman or a gutter specialist from AllClean Arlington Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and take a look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters by way of 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 because of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To stop 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 there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

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

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

Gutter Repair in Arlington

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this should be the route AllClean Arlington Gutters encourages.

To re-establish gutter pitch, AllClean Arlington Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Arlington

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, AllClean Arlington Gutters may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This can be more economical in the long run and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to ensure the new installation was done the right way.