What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are fastened at a slight angle so water drains out of them instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation companies 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 formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that even heavier amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your roof where the downspouts are located is the side that should be the lower end.

Longer sections of gutter, like across the front of a house, may require a downspout on each side. 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 downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed incorrectly or if they are loose or bent, it can lead to problems that might be expensive and complex to repair.

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

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to 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 leak inside your house.
• Pooling water is one way mildew and mold 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 ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and even making people sick.
• 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 correctly pitched, here are a few things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell 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 notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, 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 naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water in your gutters is an issue. Try to inspect the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the flow of the water.

This might force 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 Better Boston Gutters do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any small granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles are a sign that the rain gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these heavier materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess particles in the first couple of years.

You can climb up a ladder and look, or you might see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters through 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 sometimes caused by a blockage, but it can also be the result of incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, called “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can damage to your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To remove the possibility of 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 one more sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can cause several problems for your home. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is off.

Regardless of whether your gutters were damaged during a storm or if they were installed incorrectly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched in order to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Boston

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

To restore gutter pitch, Better Boston Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it totally down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and determine the pitch needed and reinstall the gutters, relocating fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Boston

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, Better Boston Gutters may recommend that you replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will be more economical in the long run 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 proper pitch. You can reference the tips above to ensure the new installation was done correctly.