What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t appear slanted because installation companies know exactly what they’re doing, but 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 your gutter installer where to place the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on each side. When this is the case, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the center of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this center 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 costly and difficult to fix.

When there is something wrong with your gutter pitch, it can make water back up in your gutters. Water is a typical issue around the house, as it can result in all of the following issues:

• Rain inside of the gutters can cause roof damage due to the standing water. When it backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause damage to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on areas of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, 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 tear away from your roof. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the walls, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also destroy landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned above, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low point is, this 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 you can do on your own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Rain water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This may force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from TruClean Tacoma Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials out. Grit or sludge inside of your gutters is 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 a ladder and look, or you might notice some of the particles flowing out of your gutters from the downspouts. If you see a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of 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 landscaping.

To remove the possibility of a blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If the gutters are clean but there are still signs of 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 result in many problems for your house. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is not right.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged during a storm or they were installed incorrectly 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 Tacoma

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

To correct gutter pitch, TruClean Tacoma Gutters 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 determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the specific measurements.

Gutter Installation in Tacoma

If your rain gutters are severely damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, TruClean Tacoma Gutters may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters need 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 use the tips above to ensure the new installation is done the right way.