Gutter Pitch (Slope)

Gutter pitch is the slight downward slope a gutter run is set at — roughly a quarter inch per ten feet — so water flows toward the downspout instead of pooling.

Gutters look level but are intentionally tilted a small amount toward their downspouts. Too little pitch and water sits in the trough, breeds mosquitoes, and overflows in heavy rain; too much pitch looks crooked and can outrun the downspout's capacity. Over time hangers loosen and runs sag, killing the pitch — a common cause of overflow on gutters that appear clean. Re-pitching and re-securing a sagging run is a routine, affordable repair that restores proper drainage without a full replacement.