A gutter slope – also known as a gutter pitch – refers to the degree in which your gutters slope downward. This tilt is imperceptible from far away, making your gutters look like they are parallel to your roof. This downward slope is what allows water to flow down and out of your gutters. When your gutters are sloped improperly, blockages can begin to form as debris gets stuck inside the gutters. Without a proper gutter slope, water can also start to pool in the gutters, as it has nowhere to flow.
An improper gutter slope can lead to water overflowing out of the sides of your gutters and hitting the sides of your home. As water drains onto the walls of your home, it can lead to wood rot, which causes additional structural damage. Additionally, as the water makes its way down the side of your home, it pools around your foundation. This pool of water can affect your home’s structural integrity, as well as cause water damage in your basement or crawl space.
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Do Your Gutters Look Like This?
Do your gutters tilt higher or lower than they did when they were installed? If so, you may need a gutter repair professional to evaluate your gutters and find the best solution. If this photo appears familiar, then don’t hesitate to contact AFS. Our skilled technicians can assess your gutters and provide a solution.
Tips for Dealing with Improper Gutter Slope
As mentioned above, an improper gutter pitch can lead to many problems. That is why it is so important to keep your gutters maintained and in top shape. Below are some tips you can follow to ensure your gutter’s slope is tilted the right amount.
Clean Your Gutters
Over time, leaves and debris gather in your gutters. If not removed, the debris can create a blockage that begins to weigh down your gutters. These blockages can also cause water to overflow out the sides of your gutters, causing more water damage to your home and its siding. You should try to clean out your gutters at least twice a year. Cleaning your gutters doesn’t have to be something you tackle on your own. There are many gutter cleaning services that can take on the task for you.
Use a Level to Measure Slope
The slope of your gutters can be difficult to detect with your bare eye. When measuring your gutter’s slope, you should use a level to ensure the tilt is at the right degree. To check your slope with a level, simply line it with the lip of the gutter, making sure that it is sloped down towards the downspout. Your gutters should remain level from front to back; however, the pitch should slope around a quarter- to a half-inch for every 10 feet of gutter. Exactly how much slope your gutters should have can be determined by your gutter repair professional.
Gutter Has Standing Water
Standing water in your gutters is never a good thing. It almost certainly means that there is an issue with your gutter’s slope. If incorrectly pitched, your gutters can take on water instead of allowing it to flow through freely. After periods of heavy rainfall, you should check your gutters for standing water. If you cannot find a blockage or other problem wrong with your gutters, then your gutter slope should be adjusted.
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Frquently Asked Questions – Sloping Gutters
The short answer is yes, you can adjust your gutter’s slope without needing to replace the entire gutter system. If your gutter system is in good shape – other than the slope – then you can just have the pitch adjusted by a gutter repair professional.
Your gutters are meant to channel water from your roof, down the downspout, and out and away from your home. If you have standing water in your gutters, this means they are not functioning as they should. If you find that water is pooling in your gutters, you should check for blockages. If there are no blockages, then you should contact one of our technicians to come assess your gutter slope.
You can look for a few basic signs that you may need full gutter replacements. Be aware of rotting, peeling, cracking, or mildew. All of these are signs that your gutters are failing or close to failing completely. Don’t wait too long, as damaged gutters can cause major issues beyond foundation damage.
