Fixing Sloping Gutters

Excessive wind water and debris can knock the gutters out of this alignment.

Fixing sloping gutters.

The gutters were installed using the roof pitch so they slope toward the downspouts. If downspouts drain too close to the home this can also result in pooling water around the home. Ask someone to hold the gutter while you loosen and remove the gutter brackets or hangers. A gutter over 30 feet needs two downspouts.

As a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in 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.

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. For example if the gutter is 16 feet long the end near the down spout must be 1 inch lower than the starting end. For example if you have 30 feet of guttering the calculation is 1 4 x 3 0 75 i e.

How to fix a sagging gutter method 1 of 3. Climb your ladder so you can easily reach your gutters. The general rule is to slope the gutters at 1 4 th inch per 10 feet of gutters. Try the water test again to see if the problem is solved.

Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly. Prepare the gutter by scraping out as much old tar or caulk as possible. If your gutter is still basically sound the easiest way to stop the leak is by covering the damaged area with roof and gutter repair tape available at home centers and hardware stores. If there s standing water it s not pitched properly.

Multiply the number of feet by 1 16 inch to determine the total slope the gutter requires. If they are bent out of shape carefully apply pressure to bend them back. Set your ladder on. If it is improperly pitched you will need to adjust the gutter slope.

You may need a screwdriver to tighten them which may help get the gutters back into alignment. Put a temporary screw at the back to adjust the pitch. It should pitch from the middle toward the downspouts at each end. Climb a ladder next to your sagging gutter.

Divide the height of the ladder. Replacing a gutter bracket. How to fix gutter slope measure the length of the gutter that you plan to adjust. Start on the end of the gutter farthest from.

Bad downspout draining not only do your gutters need sloped at a precise angle but the downspouts need specific direction as well. If you have sagging gutters or they aren t properly sloped check the brackets that attach the gutter to your home.