DOES GUTTER PITCH MATTER?

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What Is Gutter Pitch?

Also known as gutter pitch, gutter slope describes the amount that gutters slant downward along the natural path of water flow against the house.  Your home’s gutters are installed horizontally across the face of your fascia board.  They are typically angled toward one of the downspouts located on either the left side or right side of the system.  The goal is for water to easily drain toward the chosen downspout.  While gutter slope is essential for the proper function of your gutter system, an abnormal slope can also look “off.”

If you’re like most homeowners, you may have never heard of gutter pitch, and that’s okay.  While most people may not be aware of gutter pitch, it’s a critical component to a properly functioning gutter system.  If the gutter pitch or gutter slope on your home is off, it can result in flooded basements, damaged foundations, eroded landscapes, and a range of other problems caused by misdirected water runoff. 

Gutters without a proper pitch cannot operate like they’re designed to, leading to costly issues like structural damage and mold growth.  Gutter pitch (also known as gutter slope) describes your gutters’ downward angle or slant.  Typically, the gutter pitch is gradual, so when you look at your home from a distance, your gutters appear parallel to the roofline. 

Many homeowners attempt to install gutters independently and assume pitching their gutters will be a simple task.  Often, they don’t realize that there is an exact science for finding the proper slope for your unique home style and roofline.  If your gutters aren’t positioned far enough downward, they’ll develop pools of standing water.  If they are angled too sharply, they’ll be unable to keep water contained within the gutter system during heavy rainstorms.

Gutters with an incorrect pitch can have these negative implications for your home:

  • Leaves, twigs, dirt and the debris will remain in your gutters instead of being flushed out.
  • Water may splash over the sides of your gutters during rainstorms, causing your siding, windows, and doorframes to experience rotting and moisture damage.
  • Water may leak into your siding, attic, or basement, which can cause mold growth or damage your home’s interior.
  • Water can collect on your sidewalks causing the potential for slips and falls.
  • Your awkwardly positioned gutters may draw unwanted attention and detract from your home’s beautiful appearance and striking curb appeal.
  • Standing water or heavy debris may cause your gutters to become damaged or pull away from your home and cause ice dams in the winter.

How Can I Determine if My Gutter Pitch Is Wrong?  

You can usually tell your gutter pitch is wrong if you consistently have standing water or debris in your gutters—especially if you’ve recently cleaned them. Another sign your gutters have an ineffective slope is if water flows over the endcaps.  Gutters should be angled toward the downspouts, so if overflow occurs, your gutters are pitched the wrong way. 

You can often spot gutters with an ineffective pitch just by looking at them. If your gutters aren’t tilted toward the downspout, they are pitched incorrectly. If you can reach your gutters safely, you can confirm the direction they are flowing with a level.

Helpful Tips for Pitching or Re-Pitching Your Gutters 

If you think you need to re-pitch your gutters (or are installing gutters on your home for the first time and want to ensure the job is done correctly!), here are some tips to keep in mind.  Remember, working with a gutter professional will ensure your gutters are correctly installed to prevent water damage to your home in the future.

Create ¼-Inch Slope for Every 10 Feet of Gutters

Industry standards suggest setting a ¼-inch slope for every ten feet of gutters.  However, you should note that the structure, material, and length of your roof and gutters may impact this measurement, so it’s not an exact guideline.

Pitch Gutters to the Nearest Downspout

As we mentioned, one of the most common errors when pitching gutters is failing to angle the gutters toward the downspout.  For example, if your drain is sloped ¼ inch for every ten feet, the downspout for a 30-foot section should be angled ¾ of an inch lower than the highest end.

One Downspout for Every 20–40 Feet of Gutters

You should install one downspout for every 20–40 feet of guttering.  Various factors, like your roof slope, roofline, and surrounding landscaping, will impact where and how often downspouts are added, so be sure to work with a professional to ensure your gutter system includes the correct number of downspouts.

How to Determine the Best Gutter Pitch?

Determining the best gutter pitch for your gutters is a critical aspect of the installation.  When looking at the gutter system from the ground, it may appear as if it is parallel to the roofline of your home.  However, the gutters are slightly inclined or pitched, which is what allows water to flow into your downspout without complications.  

Every gutter installation project will have unique conditions and dimensions.  These factors all require exact measurements.  There are, however, a few general rules of thumb when it comes to determining the best gutter pitch.  To make sure there is adequate drainage, the pitch of a gutter should be set to .25 of an inch per 10 feet of gutter.  It’s vital to be as accurate as possible or you’ll experience the previously mentioned problems. 

If you have long gutters of 30 or more feet, it is generally recommended to have more than one downspout.  In that case, it’s imperative to have the pitch or slope start as a high point in the middle of the gutter.   This will ensure that the water is diverted to a downspout at each end. This incline will make sure water runs downward and sweeps all debris through the gutters toward the downspout. Failure to get the gutter pitch right can spoil the key function of your gutters.