Gutter Level Adjustment

This simple act can turn problem gutters into an efficient drainage system.

Gutter level adjustment.

To correct this yourself you ll need to measure from the peak to the downspout. Drive one screw through the rear center of the gutter to hold it in place. Use a hammer and crowbar to loosen the gutter. Go to the side of the gutter farthest from the downspout and pour the water in.

The gutters were installed using the roof pitch so they slope toward the downspouts. Gutters need to slope towards the downspouts in order to function properly. Gutters should slope an inch or two for every 40 feet. Pull the end of the gutter free from the downspout if needed.

Adjusting your gutters to remove your gutters loosen the screws that hold the gutter brackets using a screwdriver until the gutter detaches from the side of the house. You want at least a quarter inch of slope for every 10 feet. Get on a ladder after a rainstorm and look in the gutter. Pull down on the end of the gutter to create the proper pitch toward the downspout.

To adjust the slope of the gutter wearing gloves pop out the gutter pegs on the side and around the corners. It should run at a consistent speed down the gutter to the downspout. 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. Gutters need to be pitched toward the downspouts for the water to flow properly.

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. Typically a section of five inch gutter that is one foot long can hold up to 1 2 gallons of water whereas a section of six inch gutter that is one foot long can hold up to two gallons of water. If there s standing water it s not pitched properly. Snap a chalk line to mark along the top of the gutter.

Loosen the drip edge with a screwdriver. Granade roofing on another awesome seamless gutter project adjusting a section of gutter to get the proper flow of water. Drive in one screw to hold the gutter in position. That said gutters need to be completely level from front to back or water could spill over either edge.