What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are installed at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of 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 calculation tells a gutter installation technician where to place the downspout so that heavy 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 lower.

Long 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 center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both downspouts should be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they have become loose or bent, it can cause problems that can be costly and complex to fix.

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

• Water inside of the gutters can cause roof damage because of the standing water. When it doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your home.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing 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 home) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of blocked water inside your gutters can lead 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 properly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly identify where the low point is, it is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or 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 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 in your gutters is an issue. Try to check the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This might require 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 Olathe Gutters & More! 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 pitch, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is more common after having a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up and look, or you might see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a little in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing the wrong way, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing at the end cap. This can cause 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 you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of 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 many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to prevent significant home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Olathe

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this should be the route Olathe Gutters & More! encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, Olathe Gutters & More! will loosen the gutter, but they won’t need to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Olathe

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Olathe Gutters & More! 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 with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer will set the gutters at the proper pitch. You can reference our tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.