What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are set at a slight angle so water drains out instead of sitting stagnant. Gutters don’t look slanted because installation companies know exactly 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 gutter

This formula tells your gutter installation technician right where to attach the downspout so that even heavy 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 areas of gutter, like across the front of a home, require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the rain gutters will be pitched from the middle, meaning that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to 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 might be expensive and complex to repair.

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

• Rain in 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 damage 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. Getting rid of mold is a challenging task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your house) and even making people feel ill.
• The weight of standing water in your rain gutters can lead them to tear away from your home. The gutters can pull fasteners from the siding, destroying your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin surrounding landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To ensure your gutters are correctly pitched, here are a few things you can check:

Look for Hanging Spots

As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can visibly tell where the low spot is, this is a sign that your gutter is 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 you can do on your own, with both 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 a problem. Try to examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This might require 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 MCC Gutter Cleaning do it for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your shingles means the gutters may not have enough pitch, so the water can’t carry these 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 few years.

You can climb up a ladder and take a look, or you may see some of the particles making their way out of your gutters by way of the downspouts. If you see a little 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 the result 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 cause problems for your roof, gutters and landscaping.

To prevent 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 is still overflow, it’s another sign that your gutter pitch may be wrong.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

When your gutter pitch is incorrect, it can result in several problems for your house. All of the issues above can let you decide if your gutter pitch is wrong.

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

Gutter Repair in Marlborough

The first option will be repairing your existing gutters so the pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in good condition and undamaged, this will be the route MCC Gutter Cleaning encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, MCC Gutter Cleaning will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it completely down. This lowers labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the proper pitch and reinstall the gutters, moving fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Marlborough

If your gutters are severely damaged, or if they are starting to rust or wear down with age, MCC Gutter Cleaning may recommend to replace them rather than re-pitching them. This will 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 correct pitch. You can reference our tips above to make sure the new installation was done correctly.