What is Gutter Slope?

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What is Gutter Slope?

How low does your gutter go? The slope of your gutters is the whole point of having them attached to your roof – to clear rainwater away from your foundation. But how much slope is too much? How much slope is not enough? 

Let’s take a look at these questions so you can better understand your gutters. A better understanding can help you better evaluate your gutters so you know if they are working or if you need to call for some professional help. 

Gutter Pitch 

The slope of your gutters is also known as the pitch. Your gutter pitch is defined by the steepness of their downward slant. This downward slant creates the flow path that water will follow as it travels through your gutter. The slope of your gutters should be so gradual that they appear to run parallel with your roofline. A gradual slope will allow your gutters to catch and hold rainwater so that it steadily flows through them but not so steep that their water capacity is diminished. You want a slow and even trickle, not a gushing river. 

Gutter Slope Spacing

Your gutters should slope downwards at about a quarter inch for every ten feet of gutter. It’s also important to make sure that your gutter is sloping towards the nearest downspout which is typically at the corner of your roof. If your home has downspouts at each corner of your roof, then your gutters need to slope in opposite directions at the middle of your roofline. You can check your gutter slope by looking at them from above on a ladder. If you see standing water, then the pitch is off and will need readjusting.

Improper Downspout Draining 

Your downspouts should extend away from your house by several feet. This ensures that the water they drain doesn’t end up in your basement. You can fortify your downspouts with gutter extensions attached to the bottom of your downspouts. These extensions will send water way beyond your foundation marking your basement safe from rain storms.

Fixing Your Gutter Slope

Sloping your gutters correctly is absolutely essential to make sure your home is not at risk for foundation flooding. It’s a wise choice to call in a professional like Loyalty Exteriors to make sure your gutter slope is spaced correctly and headed in the right direction so you don’t have any wet and nasty surprises like water or foundation damage. 

If you want to attempt to fix your gutter slope yourself, you can do so by measuring from the peak of your gutter to the downspout it leads to. A chalk line can help you identify any areas where your gutter is out of alignment. You might be able to fix these problem areas by simply bending the hanger of your gutter. If bending the hanger doesn’t correct the slope, you will have to take down a section for adjustment before rehanging it. 

If you have seamless gutters, then you should have a warranty so it’s best to call the service provider who installed them for slope evaluation and adjustment. 

Need a Hand With Your Gutters?

Want to make sure your gutters are sloped correctly? Call Loyalty Exteriors today for an evaluation. All of our gutters are warranted and installed to manufacturer-specifications so you can rest assured that your basement and foundation are safe.