Adjusting Rain Gutter Slope

For example if the gutter is 16 feet long the end near the down spout must be 1 inch lower than the starting end.

Adjusting rain gutter slope. If there s standing water it s not pitched properly. The gutters were installed using the roof pitch so they slope toward the downspouts. Multiply the number of feet by 1 16 inch to determine the total slope the gutter requires. As a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering.

To adjust the slope of the gutter wearing gloves pop out the gutter pegs on the side and around the corners. Pull the gutter down about 3 quarters of an inch lower than it originally was. 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. Drop the gutter to the desired angle sloping it toward the downspout.

This simple act can turn problem gutters into an efficient drainage system. Excessive wind water and debris can knock the gutters out of this alignment. 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. To correct this yourself you ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout.

You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. This means the downspout end of the gutter should be set 3 4 of an inch lower than the other end. Put a temporary screw at the back to adjust the pitch. For example if you have 30 feet of guttering the calculation is 1 4 x 3 0 75 i e.

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. If it is improperly pitched you will need to adjust the gutter slope. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter. 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.

Next place a ladder at the left side of the house and measure from the roof down to the gutter. Use a hammer and crowbar to loosen the gutter. Loosen the drip edge with a screwdriver. Ask someone to hold the gutter while you loosen and remove the gutter brackets or hangers.