Whether you’re installing new gutters for the first time or adjusting existing ones, having the right gutter slope ensures proper water flow toward the downspouts. The correct gutter slope is between ⅛ and ¼ inch and angles downward to the downspout to ensure water drains from the gutter.
To adjust the slope of your gutters, measure the gutter length, calculate the slope, and adjust the gutter height accordingly. This guide covers why gutters should be sloped and how to find the perfect pitch for yours.
| Project difficulty: Intermediate Estimated time to complete: 1 hour Project cost: $20 for all necessary items |
What You’ll Need
- Ladder
- Bubble level
- Tape measure
- Screwdriver or hammer
Safety First! Place the ladder on even ground. Ask someone to assist you while you’re fixing the gutter slope.
What is a Gutter Slope?
A gutter slope (or pitch) is the angle at which gutters are set to direct water to downspouts. You can think of a gutter slope as an additional layer of security that keeps water flowing and draining from the gutters at the right pace.
Sue Fahrer from New England Gutter Systems shares what the ideal gutter slope should be to ensure water flows from your gutters to your downspouts: “Maintain 1/8 inch downward slope…”
While it may not be noticeable, the slight downward slope allows water to drain easily from the gutters. Having a proper gutter pitch reduces the downspouts you’ll need, maintaining your home’s visual appeal.
Why a Proper Gutter Slope Matters
A proper gutter slope ensures water flows from the gutters into the downspouts and is drained before the gutters are filled. This prevents stagnant water from accumulating in the gutters and overflowing to other parts of your home.
A very low or steep gutter slope will cause water to quickly fill the gutters and overflow because it isn’t properly channeled into the downspouts. Fahrer explains the problems caused by stagnant water on your home’s foundation: “Standing water saturates soil, erodes support, and causes cracks or uneven settling.”
When this happens, “This can lead to basement flooding, mold growth, and costly foundation repairs,” she says.
In addition to this, James Roback of A.O. Kay Gutters explains what happens to poorly pitched gutters during winter: “If enough water collects, then the buildup of ice may cause more ice dams than empty gutters.”
He adds that a poorly hung gutter can eventually lose its proper slope: “A poorly hung gutter will hold water. It’s more likely that the gutter was damaged previously and is no longer pitched correctly than [that] it was improperly installed. But, either way, the water needs to drain.”
How to Measure Gutter Slope
Gutter length: To determine the gutter length, place the tape measure on one end of the roof’s edge (also known as the roof eave) until you reach the end. If your home has different gutter sections, repeat this process to get the length of each gutter.
Gutter slope: Most professionals recommend a gutter slope between ⅛ and ¼ of an inch for every 10 feet of gutter for maximum efficiency. Measuring the gutter slope per 10 feet helps determine the number of downspouts needed for each gutter section for proper water drainage.
Using the formula above, I can determine that a 20-foot gutter should be 0.5 inches; it should slope downward toward the downspout by 0.5 inches when replacing the gutter. The ⅛ to ¼-inch slope for every 10 feet of gutter is an industry rule of thumb, so make sure you incorporate that into your calculations.
However, it is important to consider the roof’s material, surface area, slope, and other factors, such as the number of trees and volume of rainfall in your area. While the industry standard for the ideal gutter slope should be followed, I suggest talking to a professional to ensure your gutters have the correct measurements.
How to Adjust a Gutter Slope
After measuring the gutter slope, it’s time to re-pitch the gutter. When fixing the gutter slope, always remember it should slope toward the downspout. Follow the steps below for a single gutter with no miters.
Step 1: Measure the Current Gutter Slope
Place a bubble level against the gutter section nearest to the downspout. If the downspout is on your right, the bubble should dip towards it. If this isn’t the case, continue to the next steps.
Step 2: Decide Where the High & Low Points Should Be
Start at the end with the downspout (or, if you don’t already have one installed, note where it should be). That should be the low point, while the opposite end is your high point.
Step 3: Adjust the Gutter Height
Loosen the nails, screws, or brackets attached to the high point of the gutter. Slightly raise or lower the gutter depending on the slope you calculated. Once you’re satisfied with the pitch, secure the gutter section by reattaching the nails, screws, or brackets.
Continue this process until you reach the low point closest to the downspout. As you adjust the gutter height, ensure it consistently slopes downward with a level.
Step 4: Double-check the Slope
Now for the final step: Double-check your gutter pitch with a level. Once all the fasteners are reattached, check that the gutter consistently slopes downward with a level from the high to the low point.
How to Test Your Gutter Slope
Once you’re done with your gutter pitch project, it’s still a good idea to test it out. Pour water from a bucket or garden hose into different parts of the gutters to test the water flow. The water should immediately drain from the gutter.
Check for blockages, clogs, or anything else that might prevent the proper drainage of water from the gutters. This will reveal potential weaknesses in your newly-pitched gutters and give you time to fix or replace them without furthering the damage.
FAQs
Yes, gutters can be pitched too high. When your gutters have a very steep slope, water flows toward the downspouts too quickly, which can cause overflow.
No. While there is an industry standard of having a gutter slope between ⅛ and ¼ inches per 10 feet, every home is unique and has a different gutter length that affects the calculation of the gutter slope.
According to experts, the minimum slope for every 10 feet of gutters is ⅛ inch.
| Meet the Experts: Sue Fahrer handles customer relations at New England Gutter Systems. With over 30 years of experience in the gutter industry, New England Gutter Systems was founded by Dan Foote. They provide expertise-driven gutter installation and cleaning services to homeowners in New Hampshire. James Roback is a gutter professional who owns and operates A.O. Kay Gutters, a fully insured company. Roback and his team offer seamless gutter and gutter guard installation to homeowners in Rome, New York, and the surrounding areas in Mohawk Valley. |
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Main Image: A worker is checking the slope of a rain gutter. Photo Credit: ronstik / Adobe Stock
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