What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are set at a slight angle so that water flows out rather than sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters should have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer where to place the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow unobstructed from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Longer areas of gutter, like across the front of a house, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the situation, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle 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 gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can create problems that can be expensive and difficult 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 problem around the home, as it can lead to all of the following issues:

• Rain in the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When rain doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mildew and mold can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a very hard project, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying 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 roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low spot is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting old.

You should be able to notice 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 follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may require you to climb a ladder, so exercise caution. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from Murfreesboro Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules left behind in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the gutters might not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of these particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see 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 typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to 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 damage to your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To eliminate the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but you are still seeing overflow, it’s another sign that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can create a lot of problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is not right.

No matter if 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 avoid expensive home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Murfreesboro

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

To correct gutter pitch, Murfreesboro 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 correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Murfreesboro

If your gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Murfreesboro 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 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 in this blog post to make sure the new installation was done the right way.