Guttering Between Two Pitched Roofs

If there s standing water it s not pitched properly.

Guttering between two pitched roofs.

To correct this yourself you ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. The standard is about inch per 10 feet. Get 7 or 8 inch gutters. Pitched roofs have peaks and valleys that direct water downward in very specific directions.

They ll cost more and probably require a custom order through a professional installer. Valley gutters are generally considered to be a problem area. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. You can measure pitch with a 2 foot level and a tape measure.

Increasing the pitch increases a gutter s handling capacity but the gutter may look askew over a long run. For example between a double lapped plain tile and a single lapped large format interlocking tile. The valley gutter problem areas can be made worse where there are surrounding trees and associated leaves and branches that can block the valley gutters up. Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly.

A valley gutter is where two main roofs meet or where there is a change in roof direction. A bonding gutter refers to a detail which weathers the vertical junction between different roof coverings. Increase the pitch of the gutter. The steeper a roof s pitch the more windblown rain it can collect.

Roof pitch is very important for right roof gutter sizing. Take one look at a pitched roof versus a flat roof and the structural differences are quite obvious. A 5 inch gap for instance is a 5 in 12 pitch. Hold one end of the level against the roof level it and then measure the distance between the roof and the underside of the level at its midpoint which gives you a 12 inch run.

Once you know pitch you can find your roof pitch factor in the table below.