What is Gutter Pitch?

Rain gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out instead of remaining 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 horizontal gutter

This formula tells your gutter installer right 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 the lower end.

Long areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. 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 need to be lower than this center point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and difficult to fix.

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

• Water 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 harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even get inside your home.
• Standing water is one way mold and mildew can grow on of your roof, gutters or siding. Getting rid of mold is a very hard task, especially if it grows on your roof. Mold is known for destroying organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people feel ill.
• The weight of pooling water inside your rain gutters can cause them to tear away from your roof. The gutters can pull fasteners from the walls, destroying your vinyl or other exterior material. It can also damage landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

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

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, this is a sign that your gutter has been damaged or that it is getting old.

You should be able to see a dip in the gutters from below, so this is a safe job that homeowners can do on their own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your home’s gutters is a problem. If possible, examine the gutters immediately after rainfall so you can see the flow 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 local handyman or a gutter specialist from JAX Gutters, Inc. do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any little granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles are a sign that the gutters might 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 shed a lot of excess granules in the first couple of years.

You can climb up 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 can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is typically 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 at the end cap. This can damage to 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 are still signs of overflow, it’s one more indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is distorted, it can result in several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you determine if your gutter pitch is not right.

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

Gutter Repair in Jacksonville

The most affordable option will be repairing the existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this should be the route JAX Gutters, Inc. encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, JAX Gutters, Inc. 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 determine the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Jacksonville

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, JAX Gutters, Inc. may recommend to replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can 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 should set the gutters at the correct pitch. You can reference the tips in this blog post to make sure the new installation is done the right way.