The gutter slope otherwise known as the pitch is the amount the gutters slant downward to direct the path of water flow.
How to level out pitch on a gutter.
Gutter can be run level for appearance but addition downspout will be necessary see section on proper gutter and downspout sizing.
If there s standing water it s not pitched properly.
Gutters should slope an inch or two for every 40 feet.
As a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering.
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 the gutters were installed using the roof pitch so they slope toward the downspouts.
Tips for aligning and leveling gutters the correct pitch.
Steeper pitches require less clearance.
If you don t have a garden hose you can test the pitch using a bucket of water.
Gutters should be placed below the extended roof line so that snow and ice can slide clear.
You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet.
It should run at a consistent speed down the gutter to the downspout.
Go to the side of the gutter farthest from the downspout and pour the water in.
For example if you have 30 feet of guttering the calculation is 1 4 x 3 0 75 i e.
Gutter should be pitched 1 16 or greater per foot for proper drainage.
Even though they look level from a distance gutters should be pitched slightly from one end to the other.
Gutters need to slope towards the downspouts in order to function properly.
Excessive wind water and debris can knock the gutters out of this alignment.
To correct this yourself you ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout.
If the pitch is too gentle water will just fill up in the gutters until it overflows and a too sharp pitch isn t aesthetically pleasing.
How to check a gutter s slope to check the slope of your gutters you ll need a ladder tall enough to safely get to your gutter and a one gallon bucket of water.
Test the pitch of your reinstalled gutter by turning on a garden hose and directing the water into the farthest part of the gutter from the downspout.
If the gutter is too level it will hold a lot of run off water and risk becoming too heavy for the supports to handle.
Watch the water to ensure it begins to flows down toward the downspout.
Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly.
Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter.
