Adjusting Rain Gutter Slope

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

Adjusting rain gutter slope.

Ask someone to hold the gutter while you loosen and remove the gutter brackets or hangers. For example if the gutter is 16 feet long the end near the down spout must be 1 inch lower than the starting end. Next place a ladder at the left side of the house and measure from the roof down to the gutter. Drop the gutter to the desired angle sloping it toward the downspout.

Multiply the number of feet by 1 16 inch to determine the total slope the gutter requires. To adjust the slope of the gutter wearing gloves pop out the gutter pegs on the side and around the corners. Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. This simple act can turn problem gutters into an efficient drainage system.

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. 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. First determine the location of each one of your downspouts. This means the downspout end of the gutter should be set 3 4 of an inch lower than the other end.

If it is improperly pitched you will need to adjust the gutter slope. If there s standing water it s not pitched properly. 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.

Use a hammer and crowbar to loosen the gutter. To correct this yourself you ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Pull the gutter down about 3 quarters of an inch lower than it originally was. 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 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. Loosen the drip edge with a screwdriver. 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. As a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering.