What is Gutter Pitch?

Gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water flows out of them instead of sitting stagnant. They don’t appear slanted because installation pros know what they’re doing, but we assure you they are.

Gutters have a specific slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of horizontal gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer right where to fasten 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 located 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 situation, the gutters will need to be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the absolute highest point, and both 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 cause problems that can be expensive and complex to fix.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can cause water to back up in your gutters. Water is a common problem around the house, as it can cause all of the following issues:

• Water inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage due to the standing water. When water doesn’t flow from the gutters, water can seep under the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Pooling rain water is one way mold and mildew 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 exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of standing water in your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can pull 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 be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to see the slope of your rain gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter is damaged or that it is getting old.

You should still be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their 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, check the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could 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 PRO Aurora Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

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

You can climb up and look, or you might notice 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 is unable to make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is sometimes 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 probably see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and surrounding landscaping.

To stop the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know 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 is incorrect, it can create many problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

No matter if your gutters were damaged or if they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including siding damage, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Aurora

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the correct pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in prime condition and undamaged, this will be the route PRO Aurora Gutters recommends.

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

Gutter Installation in Aurora

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, PRO Aurora Gutters may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run 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 correct pitch. You can reference our tips above to ensure the new installation is done correctly.