Adjusting Rain Gutter Slope

The gutters were installed using the roof pitch so they slope toward the downspouts.

Adjusting rain gutter slope.

If your house has rain gutters it is wise to do a yearly inspection and replace or adjust the gutters as necessary prior to the rainy season. This means the downspout end of the gutter should be set 3 4 of an inch lower than the other end. Multiply the number of feet by 1 16 inch to determine the total slope the gutter requires. If there s standing water it s not pitched properly.

Then fasten one end of the string at the highest point of the gutter and the other at the spot where the downspout will be. To adjust the slope of the gutter wearing gloves pop out the gutter pegs on the side and around the corners. Ask someone to hold the gutter while you loosen and remove the gutter brackets or hangers. As a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering.

How to determine gutter slope the best way to calculate the slope of a gutter run before hanging it is to use a long string and a string level. Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. For example if you have 30 feet of guttering the calculation is 1 4 x 3 0 75 i e. First determine the location of each one of your downspouts.

Loosen the drip edge with a screwdriver. You can unscrew them or use a pry bar to remove the fastener holding the hanger in place lower it the correct amount and refasten. Excessive wind water and debris can knock the gutters out of this alignment. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter.

For example if the gutter is 16 feet long the end near the down spout must be 1 inch lower than the starting end. If your gutters don t slope then you only need to adjust the hangers and lower them slightly where necessary to achieve the correct slope. Use a hammer and crowbar to loosen the gutter. Put a temporary screw at the back to adjust the pitch.

Drop the gutter to the desired angle sloping it toward the downspout. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. If it is improperly pitched you will need to adjust the gutter slope. This simple act can turn problem gutters into an efficient drainage system.