Guttering Between Two Pitched Roofs

Get 7 or 8 inch gutters.

Guttering between two pitched roofs.

A 5 inch gap for instance is a 5 in 12 pitch. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter. You can measure pitch with a 2 foot level and a tape measure. Take one look at a pitched roof versus a flat roof and the structural differences are quite obvious.

If there s standing water it s not pitched properly. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. Pitched roofs have peaks and valleys that direct water downward in very specific directions. Valley gutters are generally considered to be a problem area.

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. The standard is about inch per 10 feet. Increase the pitch of the gutter. For example between a double lapped plain tile and a single lapped large format interlocking tile.

To correct this yourself you ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Flat roofs operate with the same basic principle but of course their lower angles mean that gravity isn t quite as effective in shedding water rapidly. 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. A bonding gutter refers to a detail which weathers the vertical junction between different roof coverings.

Increasing the pitch increases a gutter s handling capacity but the gutter may look askew over a long run. The steeper a roof s pitch the more windblown rain it can collect. A valley gutter is where two main roofs meet or where there is a change in roof direction. Once you know pitch you can find your roof pitch factor in the table below.

They ll cost more and probably require a custom order through a professional installer.